Former military ruler HM Ershad has again claimed himself 'innocent' for the killing of Shaheed Noor Hossain and Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon.He said, "I've been blamed for the killing of Noor Hossain and Dr Milon though I had no involvement in their killings at all."
Ershad, also the chairman of Jatiya Party, made the remarks while speaking at a condolence meeting in memory of his party's presidium member Jahangir Mohammad Adel at the party's Banani office in the capital on Monday. The condolence meeting was organised by the Jatiya Party's Dhaka City (North) unit.
Referring to the killing of Noor Hossain in police firing during the movement against him in 1987, the former military ruler said many people say many things about Noor Hossain but no one has even built a memorial monument for him. "Everybody places wreaths on the road at Zero Point which I'd built."
On November 10, 1987, Noor Hossain, with the slogan 'Down with Autocrat' inscribed on his chest and 'Free Democracy' on his back was killed in a police firing near Zero Point while he was taking part in an anti-autocracy march.
The anti-autocracy movement had gained momentum after Noor Hossain's murder and subsequently led to the fall of 9-year military rule of HM Ershad on December 6, 1990.
The people of the country observe November 10 as Shaheed Noor Hossain Day to remember the sacrifice of Noor Hossain in establishing democracy in the country.
The Prime Minister's special envoy said, "There is no gurantee of natural death now. People are getting killed everyday. Now every day is a mourning day and Noor Hossain Day. On Sunday, three girls were killed. Today (Monday) three were also killed in Magura. Students from colleges and universities return as dead bodies. People want change of this situation."
Ershad said though everybody only decries for Noor Hossain during his death anniversary, but no political party looks after his family, but
"I did."
After coming out of jail, the Jatiya Party chief said, he met Noor Hossain's parents, consoled them and gave them financial assistance.
Ershad said he will ensure peace for people and guarantee them of their natural deaths if he gets the chance to govern the country again at the last stage of his life.
Chaired by Jatiya Party Presidium member SM Faisal Chishti, the meeting was addressed, among others, by party secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, presidium members MA Hannan, Sunil Shuvo Roy and joint secretary general Rezaul Islam.
ZA