DHAKA, Aug 13, 2023 (BSS) - Bangabandhu Parishad acting President Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique today demanded an international investigation into assassination of Bangabandhu along with most of his family members.

"Bangabandhu killers wanted to destroy the spirit of the liberation war and push Bangladesh into Pakistani-style politics," he told a discussion of Bangabandhu Parishad at Pani Bhaban in the city.

Bangabandhu Parishad arranged the discussion marking Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 48th Martyrdom Anniversary and National Mourning Day.

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Planning Minister MA Mannan, Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman, MP, security expert Major General Mohammad Ali Sikder (retd) and DU's fine arts faculty dean Professor Nisar Hossain addressed the discussion which was moderated by Bangabandhu Parishad General Secretary Prof ABM Faroque.

 "National and international investigation into Bangabandhu assassination is required to stop the recurrence of such heinous incidents as anti-liberation forces are still hatching conspiracy to kill Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," said Prof Arefin, also former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU).

He said those who masterminded the conspiracy should be unmasked through forming an independent commission.

"The conspirators are out to hatch new conspiracies to avenge their defeat in 1971. We have to be careful," he said.

Dubbing Bangabandhu as an advocate of world peace, Prof Arefin said Bangabandhu's March 7 speech was liberation of the Bengali nation but it is still now encouraging repressed people all over the world to raise their voice in establishing their rights.

Dr Abdur Razzaque said anti-liberation forces had killed Bangabandhu to destroy liberation war spirit and to make Awami League, which led the country's liberation war, as leaderless.

The masterminds behind the plot of Bangabandhu assassination must be unmasked through forming a commission comprising justices and lawyers, he said.

After grasping state power, military dictator Ziaur Rahman tortured AL leaders and activists, he mentioned.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said anti-liberation forces assassinated Bangabandhu through a long plot to bring back the country to Pakistani ideology.

Echoing the comment of Prof Arefin Siddique, Mannan also demanded international investigation into the assassination to unearth the plot designed at home and abroad.