A group of eminent citizens have demanded proper preservation and reconstruction of Liberation War memories and memorials vandalised after August 5 uprising.
They also expressed concern over vandalism at the Mujibnagar Memorial Complex—the site where Bangladesh's first government took oath during the Liberation War—and demanded immediate steps for its preservation and reconstruction.
The demand was made at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday following their visit to Mujibnagar on April 17.
Senior journalist and writer Abu Sayeed Khan presented the written statement. He said that during the visit, his team observed that several sculptures in the complex had been vandalised, while others were damaged.
He alleged that following the August 5 mass uprising, miscreants carried out coordinated attacks. However, no effective action has been taken by the interim government to preserve the site so far.
He further said that no notable government programme was observed this year, marking Mujibnagar Day.
"Even no minister or senior government official was present, which amounts to neglect of the history of the Liberation War," he added.
At the press conference, Ruhin Hossain Prince, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), said, "From cities to rural areas, Liberation War memorials have been vandalised. Those behind these attacks do not believe in the spirit of the Liberation War. I think such incidents cannot occur without government patronage. Not a single case has been filed over these incidents during the interim government's tenure."
The delegation placed several demands before the government, including immediate reconstruction of damaged Liberation War memorials across the country, identification and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks, proper state observance of Mujibnagar Day, and speedy completion of the under-construction Liberation War museum at Mujibnagar.
Others who spoke at the event included Shamsul Huda, executive director of ALRD; Rajekuzzaman Ratan, assistant general secretary of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD); and Zakir Hossain, chief executive of Nagarik Uddyog.
