Intellectuals and the families of martyrs have rejoiced at the death sentence of Kamaruzzaman but expressed concern over the implementation of the verdict.
“We doubt whether the verdict will be implemented or not,” Asif Munier, son of martyr Munier Chowdhury, told the Dhaka Tribune by telephone on Thursday after the verdict was given.
A Dhaka tribunal on Thursday handed the death penalty to Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Kamaruzzaman for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
Asif Munier said: “We have to be aware so that the verdict is implemented.”
Those who took away my father along with my uncle and brother could speak Bengali well, which indicates they were local collaborators.
Those who are questioning the transparency of the trial are spreading propaganda, he said, blaming pro-Jammat lobbyists.
Munier said the truth cannot be concealed and it must come out in the course of time, as the evidence still exists.
Serajul Islam Choudhury, professor emeritus of the University of Dhaka, said the judgement was expected.
The nation is now waiting for execution of the verdict, he said. They now look forward to the verdicts on other war criminals of 1971. He also called for banning Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chatra Shibir. Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Anwar Hossain, a 1971 freedom fighter in Sector 11, said all freedom fighters who fought in the sector where Kamaruzzaman was active during the War of Independence were happy on Friday. All they want is execution of the verdict, he said. Dhaka University history Professor Muntassir Mamoon said the judgement in the case against Kamaruzzaman will help to get rid of the culture of immunity in the country.
Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee Acting President Shahriar Kabir also expressed his satisfaction over the judgement.