Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has demanded trials of all killings and repression by the deposed autocrat Awami League government. “In the past 15 years, the Awami League has committed the most atrocities and torture against the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Thousands of leaders and activists have been killed and imprisoned. Even the houses of many have been bulldozed. We want justice for all the killings and tortures,” he said while speaking at a workers’ conference at Rajendra College ground in Faridpur on Sunday noon.

Shafiqur Rahman said true patriots never flee the country but the Awami League has destroyed the country and fled.

“They looted and smuggled money abroad in the name of development. They killed and tortured people when they protested. We will never forget the history of our children who stood up and fought back,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking at another workers’ meeting in Eastern Jute Mills Sramik Maidan in Khulna organised by Khan Jahan Ali Thana unit of Jamaat on Sunday, the Jamaat ameer said now, national issues require the steel-solid unity of the people.

“This country does not belong to any individual; it belongs to everyone. The damage and destruction of the past 15 years still linger. To move forward, the nation must unite and work together,” he said. The Jamaat leader said everyone must come forward to build a dignified country. For the development of a country, it is necessary to give importance to agriculture and industry, not dependence. “We want a friendly neighbouring state, not a master. We do not want to see any aggressive hands,” he said.

Shafiqur Rahman said the Awami League destroyed two patriotic organisations in the country. First, they killed 57 army officers during the “BDR mutiny”. Then, they killed top Jamaat leaders by hanging them. However, the peace-loving students and people of the country responded to their torture through the July-August mass uprising, he added.

He further said that the allies of the Awami dictatorship are still instigating to destabilise the country. “However, we should not fall into that trap in any way. No matter how many conspiracies there are, those must be foiled.”

The Jamaat ameer said the country is not yet free from corruption and autocracy. “Therefore, there is no alternative to the unity of the people for national needs.”