Aug 15 killing was aimed at destroying spirit of Lib War: PM

UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that miscreants killed Bangabandhu and his family in August 15, 1975 to destroy the spirit of the liberation war and put the country under the control of the defeated forces.
“This (August 15) killing was not just simple murder. This was done to destroy the spirit of the liberation war, distort the history, direct the country towards wrong path and put the country under the control of the defeated forces,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks at a discussion, marking the 50th birth anniversary of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of Bngabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
PM’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad secretary general Mahmud-Us-Samad MP and its adviser Sirajul Islam Molla MP, among others, also spoke at the function. Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad chairman Rakibur Rahman presided.
Terming the August 15 killing a heinous killing in the history, Sheikh Hasina said that she never wants to see any such killing to
ever take place anywhere in the world.
In this connection, she said that whenever the killings of children, women and expecting mothers in Palestine come to her notice, the August 15, 1795 comes to her mind. “When the world was silent, I raised my voice against such killings in Palestine. I talked about these killings whenever I got the chance in any forum.”
The Prime Minister underscored grooming the children as worthy citizens through science-based, modern education to take the country ahead, saying “today’s children will have to lead the nation in future.”
“They must be equipped with proper education and technology to become number one in the world…children have the capability of attaining such qualities,” she added.
In an emotional voice, Hasina narrated various tender memories of her younger brother Russell.
Referring to the ‘capture of state power by military dictator Zia’ after the 15th August tragedy, the Prime Minister said Zia passed the indemnity bill in the parliament so that the killers of Bangabandhu and his family members including Sheikh Russel could not be brought under trial.
She said: “Children and students could not learn the true history of the country’s culture and war of independence for a long time as the collaborators and defeated forces were in state power.”
But, coming back home in 1981, Hasina said she started struggles taking the countrymen with her to bring the country and spirit of the war of liberation to the right track, and the situation changed when Awami League assumed the office in 1996.
After long 21 years, Awami League government took the initiative to try the killers of Bangabandhu and the judgment was executed during the 2009-2013 period of her government, she added.
Mentioning that Bangalees are a heroic nation, the Prime Minister said no one could trample this nation which got its independence through huge sacrifice and long struggles led by the Father of the Nation.
She said: “Following the steps taken by her government, children are now learning the country’s real history overcoming the horrific situation when no one could even discuss the political situation.”
Putting emphasis on educating children properly, Hasina suggested the children and students to be more attentive to their regular academic activities to build a prosperous Bangladesh.
She also urged them to extend their helping hand to the distressed, poor and autistic children with whatever they have.
Talking about child trafficking, the Prime Minister said that her government has already enacted necessary law against the menace and would take stronger steps against those involved in such crimes.
She hoped that Bangladesh would be a peaceful country in South Asia where there would be no terrorism and violence.
Later, the Prime Minister distributed prizes among some successful students who passed the SSC examinations as well as among the winers of cultural, chess and art competitions arranged for the children by Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishhad.