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.
