DHAKA:  Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh threatened the ruling Awami League to disclose the names of AL leaders who were on wartime Peace Committee in 1971, now that its top leaders are in the dock on war-crime charges.

The top leaders of Jamaat made the comment at an opinion-exchange meeting with the Jamaat-backed laborer’s organizations at the AL Falah auditorium at Magbazar Monday. Similar meetings were also held Monday across the country.

Besides, the leaders termed the trial procedure of the International Crimes Tribunal a violation of the International Trial Act.

Jamaat held the meeting as part of the countrywide campaign from July 20 to July 26 for building opinion against the arrest of the top leaders of the party.

“Nizami and Mujahid are not war criminals. Rather the DCs, SPs and police personnel who assisted the government of Pakistan in ’71 are the ‘real war criminals,” said ATM Azharul Islam, acting secretary-general of Jamaat at the meeting.

He threatened that a list of the names of AL leaders involved in Peace Committee in 1971 is being prepared by Jamaat and would be published soon.

He also termed the International Tribunal eyewash as it was formed without having any international person in it. He also dubbed the tribunal procedure illegal as a High Court writ is pending against it.

Acting Ameer of the party Makbul Ahmed said it would be “illegal and anti-constitutional” if innocent people of the country are taken under trial instead of the ‘real war criminals’ from Pakistan”.

He alleged the tribunal came for implementing “India’s agenda”.

Earlier on Sunday, the party leaders held similar meeting with Jamaat-supported teachers from different levels of educational institutions in the city.

BDST: 2124 HRS. JULY 26, 2010