Killers inside Zia’s regime must be tried

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  yesterday said her government must hold trials of the mass killings of military officials during the regime of military dictator Ziaur Rahman, and of the arson-terrorism “sponsored by the BNP-Jamaat clique” from 2013 to 2015.

“I have no word to console you. I am one of you, as I heard one day that I have nothing [after assassination of her parents and brothers]… [Some] culprits had already got punishment, [some] are getting it. and [the remaining others] will face the music,” she said.

She was exchanging Eid greetings with families of military officers and soldiers killed during the regime of  Ziaur Rahman, families of those killed and injured in the arson attacks from 2013 to 2015, and traders and shop owners affected in the recent Bangabazar Market fire at Gono Bhaban.

“I will stay beside you with my ability,” she said.

She blamed Ziaur Rahman behind the assassinations of Bangabandhu, four national leaders and many military officials during that time.

Regarding the arson attacks, she said, “I don’t know how humans can burn people alive.”

She suspected the involvement of the same alliance behind the recent fires at Dhaka markets.

Family members of  air-force officials who were killed during Zia’s regime and victim’s of arson attacks shared their memories with the PM during this time, which brought her in tears. She was seen consoling them at the meeting.