The Sector Commanders Forum had their regular weekly meeting on Thursday January 3, 2008 at the Forum office. Presided over by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Liberation Forces AVM A.K Khondoker BU, the meeting was attended by the Sector Commanders Maj Gen K.M.Shafiullah BU, Lt. Gen. Mir Shawkat Ali BU, Maj. Gen. C.R. Dutta BU, Colonel Kazi Nuruzzaman BU and Colonel Abu Osman Chowdhury. The commanders discussed the last few month’s activities of the forum and future activities to keep the momentum of their movement for the trial of the war criminals and collaborators of 1971 war crimes. They shared the gratitude for the overwhelming support and respect of the people for the Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) programmes. Besides the Deputy Chief of Staff and Sector Commanders, Lieutenant General M. Harun -Ar-Rashid BP, Major General Masudur Rahman BP, Major General Jamil D Ahsan BP, Dr. Sarwar Ali and Akku Chowdhury were present in the meeting.
The Chief Coordinator Lt. Gen. M.Harun –Ar- Rashid read out the agenda of the meeting and gave a report of the past few weeks activities of the SCF which included
- The observation of two minutes silent prayers call by Sector Commanders on the intellectual martyr day (Dec. 14) all over the country. He added that the Bangladeshis in eleven cities of Europe, USA and Australia also observed it.
- On 16th December the Sector Commanders went to the Smriti Shoudha and the Mayor’s reception. The call for a boycott of national functions if known collaborators were invited was successfully observed by the Freedom Fighters in Dhaka and other cities of the country.
- The SCF have so far been able to meet/coordinate with all the freedom fighters from most of the sectors except for those from Sector 1 and 7. The process is continuing.
- The Sector Commanders Forum gave a joint declaration for the trial of the collaborators with 71 organizations on December 29 at BILIA. There was a detailed discussion on this because some of the Sector Commanders were unhappy with the way it was handled and how the SCF was portrayed. It was felt by them that organizations should come in support of the call of the SCF not SCF be a part of joint declaration. This was clarified and decided that the communication channel will be made more effective once the office staff are appointed to make sure this is done.
- The Sector Commanders met with 31 Freedom Fighters organization on the evening of December 29, 2007 to exchange opinions with them regarding the demand by the SCF for the trial of the war criminals by the Government. It was a very successful gathering attending by over 150 freedom fighters representing most FF organizations spread all over the country. Each representative spoke and gave their full-hearted support for the demand and leadership of the Sector Commanders. One of the suggestions that came out was that the Sector Commanders should take a tour of the Divisions.
- The meeting agreed that the Sector Commanders will take on the Divisional Town tour and they will begin with Khulna on Jnauary 19, 2008. Naval Commando Rahmatullah of Greater Khulna Muktijuddha Forum gave a presentation of his proposed indoor gathering of freedom fighters and like-minded people including the youth in Khulna. This was accepted on principle and he was asked by the leadership to organize the indoor ‘exchange of view get together’ in Khulna on January 19. Similar programs will be organized in other divisions in collaborations with local organizers who will act as liaison for the SCF.
- The Sector Commanders also agreed to meet with University teachers and students (separately) to gather their opinions and support for this ongoing movement.
- The exchanges of opinions with other important personalities in our society will continue.
- The new date for the Nation Convention of the Freedom Fighters has been set for March 8, 2008. (It has now been decided March 15 2008 at the China Bangladesh Friendship Center)
- The SCF Organogram and office bearer list was presented and approved. The proposed Organogram and the office bearers with designation are as listed:
Name Position
1. Air Vice Marshal A. K. Khundkar (rtd.) BU Chairman
2. Major General K.M. Shafiullah (rtd.) BU Member
3. Major General C.R.Dutta (rtd) BU Member
4. Lieutenant General Mir Shaukat Ali (rtd) BU Member
5. Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Nuruzzaman (rtd) BU Member
6. Lieutenant Colonel Abu Osman Chowdhury (rtd) Member
7. Major Rafiqul Islam (rtd) BU Member
8. Lieutenant General Harun –Ar- Rashid (rtd) BP Chief Coordinator
9. Major General Jamil D. Ahsan (rtd) BP Coordinator
10 Major General Masudoor Rahman (rtd) BP Coordinator
11. Dr. Sarwar Ali Coordinator
12. Akku Chowdhury Office Secretary
13. Dr. M. A. Hassan Secretary
14. To be decided Treasurer
15. To be decided Publicity
- It was decided that two office staff would be appointed to maintain the SCF office and keep the liaison with the Members. The present retired JCO would continue and another staff will be appointed ASAP. The present office timing will be from 2 pm to 8 pm except Friday that will be observed as weekly holiday. All the Sector Commanders will meet every Thursday at 4 PM and will try to attend the office on other days at their convenience. The coordinators will maintain a routine so that at least one of them is in attendance during the office time to meet the visitors and answer their queries.
- The funding for SCF:
a. One month pension to be collected from members will be donated for SIDR victims.
b. A 1000 Taka monthly subscription from each SCF members have been fixed so that a minimum amount of Tk. 30,000 will be collected for the maintenance of the office.
c. Funds will be collected from supporter of SCF for the SIDR victims.
- The date and time for next meeting is January 10, 2008 at 4 pm at the SCF office
- It was decided that the SCF would be registered as a ‘Social Organization’ as such the process must begin immediately for registration with the Social Welfare Ministry.
- It was decided a press release would be sent out after the approval of the Sector Commanders on the price spiral issue.
- There being no other Agenda, issues or subject to discuss the Chairman of the meeting AVM A.K.Khondoker BU adjourned the meeting thanking all.
(Agenda confirmed by Chairman AVM A.K.Khundkar (rtd.) BU at the SCF meeting on January 10 2008.) |
