Efforts to Bring Back Killers of Bangladesh’s Founding Father Intensify
Bangladesh is resolutely working to bring back two fugitive army officers responsible for the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975. Anisul Huq, Law & Justice Minister, revealed ongoing negotiations in an exclusive PTI interview. He discussed repatriating the “confessed killers,” Rashed Chowdhury from the US and SHBM Noor Chowdhury from Canada.
While Major Shariful Haque Dalim, a pivotal plotter in the assassination, continues to evade capture, Col Rashed Chowdhury has been pinpointed in the US, and Noor Chowdhury’s residence in Canada has been confirmed. Bangladesh’s unwavering pursuit of justice encounters a hurdle due to Canada’s legal limitations, barring the extradition of those confronting death sentences in their native land.Minister Huq underscored the gravity of the crime committed and the earnestness of their efforts to seek justice.
The harrowing events of 1975 marked a coup attempt by a group of middle-level army officers, who chose India’s Independence Day to execute their nefarious plan. Divided into four groups, these coup plotters entered Dhaka in the early hours of August 15. The tragedy unfolded as the first group targeted Sheikh Mujib’s residence, resulting in his tragic demise after a confrontation. The ruthless assault extended to claiming the lives of all members of his family present, including a pregnant daughter-in-law.
Pursuit of Justice and Commemoration
Simultaneously, other groups seized control of key government buildings and silenced security forces stationed at strategic points. The aftermath saw the arrest and imprisonment of several Awami League leaders, including the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tajuddin Ahmed, and other notable figures like Mansur Ali, Syed Nazrul Islam, and AHM Qamaruzzaman. Tragically, they met their untimely deaths while in custody.
Consequently, Bangladesh commemorates August 15 as a national day of mourning, reflecting the collective grief and outrage over this gruesome incident. Minister Huq emphasized that the nation maintains an unwavering dedication to ensuring justice prevails, regardless of the passage of time.
Notably, in recent years, the country has seen some success in its pursuit of justice. Authorities captured Abdul Majed, a former captain in the Bangladesh army and one of the culprits, and later executed him. Furthermore, five other convicts faced execution, while one met his demise in Zimbabwe.
As Bangladesh continues its relentless pursuit of the culprits behind this heinous crime, the global community watches closely, emphasizing the importance of justice, accountability, and closure for the nation and its people.
