Killers still at large

The killers of the horrible massacre at a cultural programme of Udichi Shilpigoshthi are yet to be identified even after two and a half decades of the killings. Even in 25 years, the people involved in the first militant attack in the country could not be brought to justice. For the past 14 years, the judicial proceedings of the case have been stuck in the appeal hearing pending with the High Court. No one knows when the trial of the killers will begin after the hearing. Every year, the public prosecutors say they are taking the initiative to start the proceedings of the case.

In such a backdrop, 25 years of the massacre is going to be observed today (Wednesday, March 6).

What happened that day?

On March 6, 1999, two powerful bombs were blasted at the 12th national conference of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi at Jashore Town Hall premises.
The bomb attacks killed 10 people including artists and injured more than 250 innocent people.

Justice delayed, justice denied

Due to the unusually long delay in the trial proceedings, the family members of the victims are also giving up hope of justice.

Sukanta Das, who lost a leg in the deadly attack on that day, said, “The incident happened during the Awami League government’s tenure. Awami League has come to power four more times since then. But even in all these years, such a terrible massacre has not been tried. We speak of the spirit of the liberation war. It is very disappointing when the pro-liberation war forces are in power, but there is no justice.”

He, however, expressed hope that if the government has goodwill, the killers of Udichi massacre will be brought to book.

The Long way to justice

According to court sources, two separate cases were filed in connection with the bomb attack at the Udichi conference on March 6, 1999. Initially Kotwali thana police started investigating the case, but later it was handed over to CID. After the investigation, on December 14 of that year, the CID submitted the charge sheet to the court, accusing 24 people, including late BNP leader and minister Tariqul Islam. Later, during the framing of charges, Tariqul Islam was acquitted from this case following an appeal to the High Court.

Finally, after seven years of the killings, the court delivered the verdict in the case on May 30, 2006, acquitting all the accused. The progressive people of the whole country were surprised by such a verdict.

Later, when Mufti Hannan, the country's most talked-about militant leader, was arrested, he confessed to his involvement in the bomb attack at the Udichi conference. Based on his confession, re-investigation of the case was initiated.

Reinvestigation stuck in appeal hearing

After the sensational statement of Mufti Hannan, the government took the initiative to revive the Udichi murder case. Later, Mufti Hannan was brought to Jashore for being grilled in this murder case. On June 8, 2010, an appeal hearing of the case was held.

After the hearing, an HC bench, comprised of Justice Siddiqur Rahman Mia and Justice Krishna Debnath, ordered to issue a notice to hear the statements of the accused. The documents issued by the HC reached the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Jashore on July 26, 2010.

After that, the acquitted accused surrendered to the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court and were granted bail. All the accused in this case were acquitted by the court due to the defective charge sheet of the CID. Later, the government appealed to the HC against the verdict and the case was revived.

But, unfortunately, the appeal hearing of the case has not been conducted since then. The people of Jashore, who are angry with this long delay in the trial, are still demanding the fair trial of the case.

In this regard, Jashore Public Prosecutor (PP) M Idris Ali said, "The Udichi murder case is awaiting hearing of the state's appeal in the High Court. We drew the attention of the High Court in this regard, but the hearing has not happened still. If the appeal hearing is not settled, it is not possible to start the trial in the lower court."

Meanwhile, marking the day, Udichi Shilpigoshthi has undertaken a month-long programme from Tuesday (March 5). On the first day of the programme, a views exchange meeting was held with journalists and cultural activists on Tuesday afternoon.

Moreover, the programmes on Wednesday (March 6) include presentation of memorandum to the deputy commissioner, silent protest procession at Town Hall ground in the afternoon, discussion meeting, paying tribute to the graves of the martyrs and cultural programme.