BNP alleged that that verdict in Jamaat Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami’s war crimes case has been deferred on the ‘advice of New Delhi’.
Addressing a discussion on Tuesday, the party standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah said, “Why the verdict was not announced today (Tuesday). We earlier heard the veridical will be pronounced on the day. Later, one of my well-wishers told me that New Delhi has asked the government not to give the verdict on the day, as the Indian External Affairs Minister will arrive here tomorrow (Wednesday). Indian RAW made the order, as if Jamaat calls hartal protesting the verdict during the visit of minsiter Sushma Swaraj, then India will come to know that people are not with the Awami League government.”
Aporajeyo Bangladesh, a pro-BNP platform, organised the discussion on “Bangladesh, a Valley of Panic: Doable for Establishing Peace” at the National Press Club in the city on Tuesday afternoon.
Hannan Shah said the country’s sovereignty is now at stake due to the current regime’s knee-jerk foreign policy. “Everything in Bangladesh now is controlled from the neighbouring country, from the South block,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awami League Advisory Council member Suranjit Sengupta said that Nizami’s verdict would not be deferred again and again due to his illness. He was addressing a discussion at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city in the afternoon, organised by Nouka Samarthak Ghosti.
Suranjit said the International Crimes Tribunal deferred the verdict considering Nizami’s illness, as there is a provision to bring the accused before the court during the pronouncement of the verdict.
On the other hand, AL publicity secretary Hasan Mahmud clarified that there was no government role in connection with Nizami`s verdict delay. He said this while addressing a press briefing at party’s headquarters at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.
He also claimed that the tribunal deferred the verdict due to Nizami’s illness. The government is cordial to complete the trail of war crimes, he said. He, however, said that BNP and Jamaat are hatching conspiracy to foil the war crimes trial.
