Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said some derailed junior officers along with some high-ranking army personnel were involved in the August 15 massacre, where Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were killed.
"Some derailed members of Bangladesh Army and some high-ranking officers were there, who were involved in this conspiracy of killing Bangabandhu with his family members]," she said, without naming anyone.
The prime minister made the statement while addressing a special prayer session arranged at the Department of Social Services, joining through videoconference from Ganabhaban, her official residence.
The Department of Social Services arranged the special prayer session - milad and doa mahfil – on the occasion of National Mourning Day on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu’s military secretary, Col Jamil Uddin Ahmad, was the member of Bangladesh Army and her brother Lt Sheikh Jamal was a running officer in the army. Both were killed brutally.
She mentioned that her younger brother Sheikh Russell was only 10 years old at that time. His dream was to join the army as well.
"But the cruelty of the fate is he [Russell] was killed brutally by the members of the army. I'm still searching for the reason he was killed; I don't know what was his crime was," she said.
The prime minister said the killers had been awarded by the then governments with various lucrative posts.
"I want to change that system. We are always alert so that the people of the country could stay safe, lead a beautiful life. There will be justice established where all people will enjoy their rights," she said.
In this connection, she recalled that after the August 15 massacre, seeking justice for the killing was barred through enacting the infamous indemnity ordinance.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangali of all times, Bangamata Fazilatunnessa and most of their family members were assassinated on August 15, 1975.
Posts, Telecommunication and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar presents a book, containing a collection of 100 commemorative postal stamps on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to his daughter and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Friday, August 14, 2020 | PMO
Getting emotional, the prime minister said she and her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, could not file a case against the killers and could not demand justice.
‘Working to make Bangabandhu's dreams come true'
The prime minister pledged to stay beside those who are lagging behind, including the orphans and distressed children, to ensure a better life and livelihood for them.
To this end, she called upon all concerned to work with honesty, dedication and integrity.
She said the government is working round the clock for the welfare of the people of all sections to realize the dreams of Bangabandhu.
The prime minister also urged all concerned to stand beside the people like orphans, elderly people, and people with disabilities as well as those who are still lagging behind.
Spelling out steps of her government for the welfare of the orphans, Sheikh Hasina said various training and vocational education programs have been initiated to help them stand on their own feet.
She clarified that orphans should not think that they do not have parents or guardians, as the government is beside them to ensure better livelihood for them.
She also mentioned previously introduced "Shanti Nibash" for the aged people, saying this project will be reintroduced in the days ahead.
Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
State Minister for Social Welfare Ashraf Ali Khan and senior officials of the Ministry of Social Welfare also attended the program.
Ahead of National Mourning Day, a special prayer was offered at the event, seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other members of his family.
Prayers were also held seeking the good health and long life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country and its people.