Protesters in B'desh express anger over resolutions on Mollah

Hundreds of demonstrates shouting slogans today gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission here demanding the expulsion of its envoy after resolutions were adopted by Pakistan expressing concern over the execution of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah for 1971 war crimes.
The protesters, mainly youngsters and 1971 liberation war veterans, were planning to lay a siege to the embassy as anger mounted all over the country after Mollah was called "a supporter of the undivided Pakistan".
Mollah was executed on Thursday for genocide during the 1971 war against Pakistan, hours after the Supreme Court rejected his review petition.
The Pakistan National Assembly adopted a resolution, saying, "This House expresses deep concern on hanging of a veteran politician of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh for supporting Pakistan in 1971."

Tight security was in place around the Pakistan High Commission complex as several groups marched from Shahbag Square to the building, demanding the expulsion of High Commissioner Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi.
Bangladesh yesterday summoned the Pakistani envoy and lodged a strong protest against the resolutions adopted by the National Assembly and the Punjab Provincial Assembly and also the remarks made by a senior Cabinet Minister of Pakistan Government on the verdict of the war crimes tribunals here.

"The Secretary (Bilateral affairs at the foreign office) Ambassador Mustafa Kamal conveyed (the envoy) in unequivocal terms that the war crimes trial in Bangladesh is an internal matter," a foreign ministry statement said after Hashmi was handed over a protest note.

Thirty-six eminent Bangladeshi citizens including professors, writers and journalists today issued a statement saying, "The events after war criminal Abdul Quader Molla's hanging have surprised and frustrated us. Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign state with its own Constitution and law."
"Any foreign states or their diplomats in Bangladesh or governments, organisations and ministers should not forget that.
"This kind of act from any state or its representative, international organisations or their representatives is tantamount to hurting the emotion of Bangladesh's people. This can weaken the bilateral understanding and respect. We believe nobody wants this," the statement signed by prominent writer Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said.

Mollah, the fourth-highest Jamaat leader, is the first politician to be found guilty by the Supreme Court after it rejected an appeal to acquit him of all charges.