Shapla Chattar killings: Parties demand independent probe on 13th anniversary

Political
and student organisations held various programmes, including discussion,
exhibition and human chain, to mark the 13th anniversary of the killings at
Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel on May 5, 2013.
Leader of
the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur
Rahman today issued a statement demanding the formation of an independent,
neutral and credible inquiry commission to uncover the truth behind the
killings at Shapla Chattar during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally.
In the
statement, he demanded that the facts be made public and those involved in the
killings be given exemplary punishment, calling the incident a “sorrowful and
shameful chapter” in Bangladesh’s history and a brutal operation that violated
humanity, justice and democratic values.
He further
added that it is extremely regrettable that even after a long period of time, a
fair, neutral, and acceptable trial for this incident has not taken place.
The
statement said the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is
constitutionally recognised in a democratic state, and that the use of force
and loss of life to suppress such rights can never be acceptable. It also
stressed the need to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice
to prevent a recurrence.
Hefazat-e-Islam’s
Baridhara zone unit today held a memorial and prayer programme for those
martyred on May 5. The prayer was led by Hefazat central Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdul
Hamid Madhupuri.
Reflecting
on the events of May 5, 2013, speakers described the incident as a sorrowful
chapter in the nation’s history and demanded a fair and neutral investigation
to bring those responsible to justice.
Mufti
Amjad Hossain Helali, president of Hefazat-e-Islam Baridhara zone presided over
the programme.
National
Citizen Party (NCP) will organise a discussion, titled “From Shapla Mass
Killings to July,” at 5:00pm at its central office in Dhaka’s Bangla Motor.
Bangladesh
Khelafat Majlish is organising an exhibition on the killings at the National
Museum at 3:00pm. Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Mamunul Haque, will
inaugurate the programme.
Islami
Chhatra Shibir is holding a human chain programme at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s
Motijheel in the afternoon.
















