14-party human chain on Feb 15

The ruling 14-party alliance will stage a human chain in Dhaka city on February 15, protesting Pakistan’s denial of 1971 war atrocities and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s statement on the number of war martyrs.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, also the alliance’s spokesperson, made the announcement at a press conference following a 14-party alliance’s meeting in Dhanmondi today.

The minister at the conference also said, “We will organise the human chain as we are the largest alliance that believes in the spirit of the Liberation War. Other likeminded political parties, cultural and social organisations will also take part in the human chain.”

Further details about the human chain will be disclosed later, he informed.

ALSO READ: Pakistan denies committing war crimes in 1971

On November 30 last year, Pakistan summoned acting high commissioner of Bangladesh Maushumi Rahman to its foreign ministry and denied committing any war crimes or atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War.

Pakistan also rejected Bangladesh's statement that condemned Islamabad's concern over the recent executions of war criminals Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.

Meanwhile, BNP chief Khaleda Zia on December 21 in her first public address in more than a year, said: “There are controversies over how many were martyred in the Liberation War. There are also many books and documents on the controversies.”

ALSO READ: MARTYR REMARK: Legal notice served on Khaleda

Khaleda's comment came hot on the heels of Pakistan's denial of committing any war crimes or atrocities in Bangladesh during the nine-month war of independence.

Freedom fighters, war crimes researchers, martyrs' family members, war crimes prosecutors and different pro-liberation organisations were angered by Khaleda’s comment questioning the number of martyrs in the country's Liberation War.