PM's life gets riskier:Alert foreign intelligences over war crimes trial; 'high alert' ordered
2 AL lawmakers dropped from prosecution team
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday instructed her cabinet colleagues and government agencies concerned to be on 'high alert' for thwarting any sabotage attempt in any sector, in the wake of the move to try the war criminals of 1971.
The direction came at a cabinet meeting as intelligence agencies of some foreign countries, including neighbouring India, had warned Bangladesh about possible subversive acts to foil the trial initiative, highly placed government sources told The Daily Star.
The agencies also warned the prime minister about possible attempts on her life, the sources said.
Sharing the information with the participants of the cabinet meeting, the prime minister especially emphasised on putting security forces on high alert at power, gas, and water supply plants, radio and television stations, important government buildings and installations, and at the courts across the country, cabinet sources said.
"I have information that war criminals might try to carry out attacks on me, or carry out other subversive acts to foil the trial. But I am not scared, since only the Almighty Allah preserves the right to give or take a life," the premier was quoted to a group of reporters by a cabinet member after the meeting.
Different intelligence agencies and Dhaka Metropolitan Police are already gearing up to thwart possible subversive acts ahead of the trial. DMP issued letters to its departments concerned to increase security of important personalities and establishments.
Expressing her firm determination to hold the trial of war criminals no matter what threat comes her way, the premier said Jamaat-e-Islami which had been involved in carrying out crimes against humanity during the country's liberation war in 1971, will certainly try to foil the trial, as its members will not allow anything to go unchallenged.
The premier asked the ministers, state ministers, secretaries and security forces concerned to keep constant watch on the movements of the alleged war criminals.
"My government will certainly hold the much demanded trial no matter what Jamaat does. Let the nation know that it has been our commitment, and we will do that. I have been trying to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people, and will continue to do so," said Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, adding that the trial will be held maintaining international standards.
Meanwhile, only 72 hours into the announcement of the formation of much awaited International Crimes Tribunal, and two other relevant agencies, the government yesterday dropped two prosecutors -- Nurul Islam Sujon and Sanjida Khanam -- from the twelve-member prosecution team, as questions regarding their eligibility for the positions had arisen from some quarters. Although both of them are lawyers, they are also lawmakers of ruling Awami League.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said the lawmakers were dropped from the prosecution team as questions had been raised due to their membership in the parliament.
"We have taken the decision, so no controversy may arise," he said adding that there is room for changes in the prosecution team as appointments of its members, except its chief, have not been finalised yet.
Talking to reporters following a meeting with the newly formed war crimes investigation team in his ministry office, he said the government yesterday appointed Golam Arif Tipu as the chief of the prosecution team, and the other members of the team will be appointed soon on consultation with Tipu. Tipu is a seasoned octogenarian criminal lawyer and a language movement veteran.
The law minister said the investigation team started its works yesterday. The investigators are tasked with studying the International Crimes Tribunal (Act) 1973, and the 1971 government gazettes, he said adding that the team will get important insight about the auxiliary forces of the Pakistani occupation forces through the study of the gazettes.
About BNP-led opposition's allegation that the war crimes trial runs the risk of being marred by partisan political motivation, the law minister said the government will not prosecute anyone due to partisan political reasons. The government will try only those who committed crimes against humanity, he said.
The direction came at a cabinet meeting as intelligence agencies of some foreign countries, including neighbouring India, had warned Bangladesh about possible subversive acts to foil the trial initiative, highly placed government sources told The Daily Star.
The agencies also warned the prime minister about possible attempts on her life, the sources said.
Sharing the information with the participants of the cabinet meeting, the prime minister especially emphasised on putting security forces on high alert at power, gas, and water supply plants, radio and television stations, important government buildings and installations, and at the courts across the country, cabinet sources said.
"I have information that war criminals might try to carry out attacks on me, or carry out other subversive acts to foil the trial. But I am not scared, since only the Almighty Allah preserves the right to give or take a life," the premier was quoted to a group of reporters by a cabinet member after the meeting.
Different intelligence agencies and Dhaka Metropolitan Police are already gearing up to thwart possible subversive acts ahead of the trial. DMP issued letters to its departments concerned to increase security of important personalities and establishments.
Expressing her firm determination to hold the trial of war criminals no matter what threat comes her way, the premier said Jamaat-e-Islami which had been involved in carrying out crimes against humanity during the country's liberation war in 1971, will certainly try to foil the trial, as its members will not allow anything to go unchallenged.
The premier asked the ministers, state ministers, secretaries and security forces concerned to keep constant watch on the movements of the alleged war criminals.
"My government will certainly hold the much demanded trial no matter what Jamaat does. Let the nation know that it has been our commitment, and we will do that. I have been trying to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people, and will continue to do so," said Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, adding that the trial will be held maintaining international standards.
Meanwhile, only 72 hours into the announcement of the formation of much awaited International Crimes Tribunal, and two other relevant agencies, the government yesterday dropped two prosecutors -- Nurul Islam Sujon and Sanjida Khanam -- from the twelve-member prosecution team, as questions regarding their eligibility for the positions had arisen from some quarters. Although both of them are lawyers, they are also lawmakers of ruling Awami League.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said the lawmakers were dropped from the prosecution team as questions had been raised due to their membership in the parliament.
"We have taken the decision, so no controversy may arise," he said adding that there is room for changes in the prosecution team as appointments of its members, except its chief, have not been finalised yet.
Talking to reporters following a meeting with the newly formed war crimes investigation team in his ministry office, he said the government yesterday appointed Golam Arif Tipu as the chief of the prosecution team, and the other members of the team will be appointed soon on consultation with Tipu. Tipu is a seasoned octogenarian criminal lawyer and a language movement veteran.
The law minister said the investigation team started its works yesterday. The investigators are tasked with studying the International Crimes Tribunal (Act) 1973, and the 1971 government gazettes, he said adding that the team will get important insight about the auxiliary forces of the Pakistani occupation forces through the study of the gazettes.
About BNP-led opposition's allegation that the war crimes trial runs the risk of being marred by partisan political motivation, the law minister said the government will not prosecute anyone due to partisan political reasons. The government will try only those who committed crimes against humanity, he said.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=132170
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