Assassination of Ziaur Rahman

Ziaur Rahman, the president of Bangladesh, was assassinated by a faction of officers of Bangladesh Army, on May 30, 1981, in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong. Zia went to Chittagong to arbitrate a clash between the local leaders of his party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party. On the night of May 30, a group of officers, led by Major General Abul Monjur (the regional commander of the Chittagong Cantonment, and Zia's comrade from the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971), commandeered Chittagong Circuit House, the government residence where Zia was staying. There they shot dead Zia and several others.

Aftermath

After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman on 30 May 1981, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the Chief of Army Staff, remained loyal to the government and ordered the army to suppress the coup attempt of Zia's associates led by Major General Abul Manzoor. It is widely speculated that Monjur was used as a scapegoat and Ershad himself was behind the liquidation of President Zia; although never proven in any court of law, even when Zia's widow was in power in 1991-1996 and again in 2001-2006. While Maj Gen Abul Monjur was alleged to have become totally disillusioned with Zia over military and personnel issues (including transfer, which equalled demotion, to Chittagong), many later accused Ershad of having covertly organised that coup, using Monjur. One key issue that is discussed is whether a coup could have been organised from Chittagong, without also securing the capital city of Dhaka (which Ershad controlled). It is speculated that Ershad gave this support only because of the clear, national revulsion against the assassination of Zia.

Monjur's death - at first described as having been at the hands of an "enraged mob", but later shown in an autopsy report to have been via a gunshot to the back of the head - added to the mystery. The rest of the conspirators were tried in military court, and given sentences ranging from the death penalty to imprisonment^{[citation needed]}.

Following Zia's death, Vice President of Bangladesh Justice Abdus Sattar became Acting President. He was elected in a popular vote in December 1981 but was deposed in 24 March 1982 by a bloodless coup by Ershad.

One of the accused of Zia's murder case, captain (Rtd.) Giasuddin Ahmed is now a Awami League member of Jatiya Sangshad from Gaffargaon Upazila, Mymensingh District.

12 officers mostly 1971 veterans, were hanged for their alleged involvement in the May 30 killing of president Ziaur Rahman after a hasty trial in a military court that completed the trial process only in 18 days. The 13th officer was hanged two years later as he was being treated for bullet wounds he had received during the May 30 incident in Chittagong.

The officers were arrested in between June 1 and 3 in 1981 and a court martial chaired by Major General Abdur Rahman began at Chittagong Central Jail on July 10 and ended on July 28. 12 officers were executed

Executed officers

Following 13 officers were executed.

1. Brigadier General Mohsin Uddin Ahmed .
2. Colonel Nawajesh Uddin
3. Colonel M Abdur Rashid.
4. Lt Colonel l AYM Mahfuzur Rahman.
5. Lt Colonel M Delwar Hossain.
6. Lt Colonel Shah Md Fazle Hossain.
7. Major AZ Giashuddin Ahmed.
8. Major Rawshan Yazdani Bhuiyan.
9. Major Kazi Mominul Haque.
10. Major M Mojibur Rahman.
11. CaptainMohammad Abdus Sattar.
12.Captain Jamil Haque.
13. Lt Mohammad Rafiqul Hassan Khan, aged 23 when hanged.

The army prosecutors, who were appointed to defend these 13 suspected officers llater called the trial a 'farcical trial' as they all were denied the minimal opportunity to defend.

Removed officers

Following officers were removed from Army.

1. Brigadier Abu Said Matiul Hannan Shah,
2. Brigadier AKM Azizul Islam,
3. Brigadier Gias Uddin Ahmed Chodhury (bir bikram),
4. Brigadier Abu jafar aminul huque (bir bikram),
5. Colonel Md. Bajlul goni patwari (bir protik), v 6. Lt. Colonel AS Enamul huque,
7. Lt.Colonel Md. Jainul abedin,
8. Lt. Colonel Md. Abdul hannan (bir pratik),
9. Major Manjur ahmed (bir pratik),
10. Major Wakar hassan (bir pratik),
11.Major Md. Abdul jalil,
12. Major Rafiqul Islam,
13. Major MD. Abdus salam,
14. Major AKM Rezaul Islam (bir pratik),
15. Major Md. Asaduzzaman,
16. Captain Jahirul huque khan (bir pratik),
17. Captain Majharul huque,
18. Captain ASM Abdul hai,
19. Lt. Abul hasem.

External links

• Mascarenhas, Anthony. Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1986.
• Lifschultz, Lawrence. Bangladesh: The Unfinished Revolution. London: Zed Books, 1979.
• Ali, Tariq. Pakistan: military rule or people's power?". London: Cape, 1970.