Nation of victors turned killers on Aug 15: PM

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UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that the victorious Bangalee nation, which achieved independence in 1971 through the glorious War of Liberation, became the nation of killers before the world through brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.
“The nation which attained its independence through the great liberation war and always stand in front of the whole world with head held high was ashamed though the killing of August 15, 1975. All pride of the Bangalee nation was destroyed by this killing. The whole nation became killers in front of the world,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a discussion marking the 66th birth anniversary of late Sheikh Kamal, the country’s celebrated sports organizer and sports personality, organised in front of Abahoni club premises at Dhanmondi in the capital.
Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born in Tungirapa village under Gopalganj district on August 5 in 1949.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned with sorrow that Bangabandhu who dedicated his life for establishing rights and dignity of the people was martyred on his beloved soil of Bangladesh by the people of this country, which he never imagined.
She described Sheikh Kamal as a multi-dimensional talent and said his killing was an irreparable loss for the country adding that Bangladesh would have immensely benefited from the genius Kamal had he been alive.
The Prime Minister said her younger brother Kamal was not only a very talented sportsman, meritorious student and efficient organiser, but also a very good player of Sitar.
Kamal realized that the young generations must be developed with education and the people from children to youths must maintain honest living standard, she said.
The Prime Minister, eldest sister of Sheikh Kamal, recalled his outstanding contribution to the field of sports and games alongside the cultural arena.
“He was equally a genius in sports and games and cultural field and attracted the youths to build themselves as worthy citizens of the country.”
Sheikh Hasina said that Kamal was also politically conscious and joined 6-point movements and created blockade against Pakistani forces on the black night of 25th March 1971.
He joined the great War of Liberation to free the country and returned home after the victory of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said adding that he then started his Masters Course but was assassinated before the Practical Examinations.
The Prime Minister thanked the board of directors and concerned all for taking an initiative to establish country’s most modern Sheikh Kamal Sports Complex and urged well wishers of Abahani Limited to come forward with helping hands for making the initiative a success.
Chairman of Board of Directors of the club Salman F Rahman presided over the function, while Director of the club Kazi Nabil Ahmed, MP, gave the welcome address.
Barrister Sheikh Fazley Noor Taposh, MP, directors of the club Anjan Chowdhury Pintu and Harun-or-Rashid, Chairman of Sheikh Kamal Sports Complex and President of Bangladesh Cricket Board Nazmul Hasan Papon, MP, President of Abahani Samarthak Goshthi Mir Nizamuddin Ahmed spoke on the occasion.
Ministers, parliament members, officials and players of different clubs and leaders and workers of Awami League and its associate bodies were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Prime Minister placed a wreath at the portrait of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal on the club premises.
She also unveiled the plaque of the foundation stone of the age-based academy of Abahani Limited.
Later, the Prime Minister handed over Sheikh Kamal Gold Medals 2014 to six sports personalities. They are skipper of Bangladesh National Football Team Mamunul Islam, world best allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, goalkeeper of National Hockey Team Ashim Kumar Gope, former president of Abahani Club Shamsul Islam Khan (posthumously), organizers Dr Kazi Anis Ahmed and Nazmul Hasan Papon.
She also handed over crest to the Abahani Table Tennis Team, which became hattrick champions in Table Tennis League.
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