Speakers at a roundtable yesterday demanded trial of former military dictator HM Ershad for executing 13 army officials in connection with the army mutiny on September 23, 1981.
The officers, who took part in the 1971 Liberation War, were executed in Chittagong Jail following a court martial within only 18 days. Along with the 13, 10 other army officers were imprisoned to different terms while many others were sent on forced retirement in 1981.
The September 23 Smriti Sangshad organised the discussion at the National Press Club to commemorate the day. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Hoque attended the programme as the chief guest.
The speakers demanded immediate review of the trial and compensations and other benefits for the families of the victims.
Jatiya Party chief Ershad is also a special envoy to the prime minister.
Lawyer Shahdin Malik said the trials of those army officers were no way legal as there was no opportunity for them to appeal with the High Court.
Mozammel said: “During the Liberation War, Ershad was a member of the court martial in Pakistan where many Bangladeshi military officials were tried. Ershad worked against the independence of Bangladesh.”
Former army chief Lt Gen Harun-ur-Rashid said: “The trial documents have vanished into the thin air. Ershad should not be given any opportunity to get involved in any political party in this country. I have no idea how such a clever person can sit in our parliament.”
The event was presided over by Maj (retd) Rejaul Karim Reja and moderated by Dhaka Tribune Planning Editor Julfikar Ali Manik.
