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The interim government should initiate the process to try war criminals even by promulgating an ordinance, if necessary, speakers said at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap held in Sirajganj on Saturday.

'War criminals must be brought to justice. The interim government can start the process so that the next government can complete it,' said M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to the caretaker government.

BBC Bangla Service in conjunction with BBC World Service Trust organised the event moderated by Kamal Ahmed of BBC Bangla Service.

Awami League organising secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna, former BIWTC chairman Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, also a BNP leader, and lawyer Shamima Yasmin Reema also took part in the discussion. Manna said, 'There are laws in the country to try war criminals.

If necessary, the government should promulgate an ordinance for the trial of war criminals.' Shimul Biswas questioned why the government had been wasting time when they first raised the issue for the trial of war criminals.

In reply to a query, Hafizuddin said the people would forge united movement, if there was any flaw in the trial process of the two detained former prime ministers — Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.

'People will not accept any 'imperfect' judgment over the two leaders,' said the former adviser, and observed that there were some flaws in the trial process.

He said the two major parties should not boycott the next election, if the two leaders were detained in jail. All concerned including the government should act so that none could get an opportunity to delay the holding of the next election, he suggested.

Manna hoped that the AL chief would come out of the jail within very short time, if her trial process was conducted in fair manner. He said his party would win the next election if it was held even after three months, and Hasina was not released. 'But the release of Sheikh Hasina is a vital issue.

We want the release of Hasina as well as announcement of polls schedule immediately.' Shimul Biswas urged the government to release the two leaders taking into account the public sentiments.

Both the BNP and AL leaders said the government should send the two party chiefs abroad for better treatment. Hafizuddin also blamed the government for its failure to control the price hike of essentials.

The panellists said the government should raise wages and salaries of all the employees and officials and introduce rationing system for the poor people.

They observed that there were flaws in fertiliser distribution system, resulting in recent fertiliser crisis across the country.

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