SCF blasts Khondker

Members of the Sector Commanders’ Forum [SCF] have blasted Air Vice Marshal [Rtd.] AK Khondker for giving misleading information in his book –1971: Bhetore Baire’ [1971: Inside and Outside]. They also demanded immediate correction and re-edition of the book, which is published by Prothoma Prokashon recently.”The contents of the book do not reflect the principle and ideology of the SCF. And it also has no similarity with the historic facts of our Liberation War in 1971,” a joint statement issued by the SCF members said on Saturday.What Khondker, also the chairman of SCF, has written in his book was totally his personal affairs; the forum will not bear its responsibility, it said.The statement was signed, among others, by SCF vice chairman Major General [Rtd.] KM Shafiullah, acting secretary general Harun Habib, joint secretary general M. Hamid, Colonel [Rtd.] Shamsul Hoque and Lieutenant Colonel [Rtd.] Abu Osman Chowdhury. It said, “We want to clearly say that, AK Khondker, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Armed Forces during the Liberation War, in his book presented some misleading information about the historic March 7 speech and proclamation of Independence by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after43 years of the Independence.””We think that the book is not factual and also far from the real truth. It is very much unfortunate. He [Khondker] raised questions about the capability and foresightness of the successful national leaders when commenting on the country’s glorious history…We are surprised seeing this,” the statement said.”It is not only unexpected but also unacceptable to them who had participated in the War of Liberation. We apprehend that this book may be used by local and foreign conspirators to distort the facts of historic events in the future,” it added. Describing the failure of AL leadership, Khondker in the preface of the book, said, “During the Liberation War, only the young supporters of a specific party [not mentioning Awami League] had got chance to get guerilla training. Other youths were not recruited, although they were competent in all respects. “So, the performances of the recruits were sub standard. It not only had caused hamper to them, but also the nation had to bear the liability of it.” In its first chapter he said, “Bangabandhu didn’t proclaim the Independence through any media or any letter. Its main evidence is that most of the close senior leaders were with him till the last moment on March 25, 71. None of them [AL leaders] could imagine this! It is unbelievable. If Bangabandhu had proclaimed the country’s independence than why he had been staying in his Dhanmondi residence at road no-32?””During Liberation War, once I had asked Tajuddin Ahmed about the March 25 night. He [Tajuddin] had admitted that he prepared the draft of proclamation of independence and he had requested Bnagabandhu to read the draft of proclamation. …… Bangabndhu had read it, but did not make any response. He kept silent. Almost he had avoided the matter,” Khondker continued. He further said that ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman concluded his historic March 7 speech in 1971 at Surahwardy Uddyan by saying ‘Joy Pakistan’. Meanwhile, the ruling AL and BNP yesterday also continued the war of words by issuing comments and counter comments over the book.”Khondker has revealed the historical truth that AL did not take the leadership during the Liberation War. He has unmasked the failures of the AL leadership. It’s a document as we’ve been claiming for the last 42 years that Ziaur Rahman proclaimed independence,” MK Anwar, BNP standing committee member, said while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club.He said: The party [AL] that killed thousands of freedom fighters has no authority to put freedom fighter like Khondker in the dock. How can the party now claim that it had led the war of independence?But refuting the claim, Health Minister Mohammd Nasim said, “Khondker is mentally disturbed. He has written the book with distorting facts being instigated by outsiders,” he said while speaking at party’s triennial council in Sirajganj.