Killer Rashed's deportation could be a game-changer in Bangladesh-US ties: Tawfiq-e-Elahi

Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, has sought sincere cooperation of the US government to deport Rashed Chowdhury, a fugitive convicted killer of Bangabandhu, to Bangladesh immediately to face Justice. 

"It would be a game-changer between Bangladesh-US bilateral relations by deporting the fugitive convicted killer of Bangabandhu Rashed Chowdhury who is now staying in the US," he said this while addressing a seminar as the chief guest on Monday afternoon.

Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC organised the seminar as part of the observance of the National Mourning Day and the 47th martyrdom anniversary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States (US) M Shahidul Islam in the chair.

The seminar titled "Deportation of the killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: A long pending issue in Bangladesh-US relations". 

Professor of North Carolina Central University Dr ABM Nasir presented the keynote paper on the seminar.

Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, a gallantry award-recipient valiant Freedom Fighter said that the continued stay of Bangabandhu's killer (Rashed Chowdhury) in the US was unfortunate.

Bangladesh Ambassador in the US, in his remarks, gave an overview on the Awami League government's efforts to secure deportation of Bangabandhu's self-confessed killer Rashed Chowdhury. 

He said that the main objective of the seminar was to create greater awareness among the US citizens and Bangladeshi-American diaspora of the urgent need for extradition of the heinous killer of Bangabandhu to further solidify Bangladesh-US relations. 

Professor Dr ABM Nasir, in his keynoter paper, said killer Rashed Chowdhury has committed crimes against humanity by brutally killing three children, two pregnant females and other unarmed civilians. He demanded to the US government to immediately detain and deport Rashed Chowdhury to Bangladesh.

Deputy Chief of Mission Ferdousi Shahriar moderated the seminar while Eminent Actor Syed Hasan Imam, Noted Choreographer and Dancer Laila Hasan, renowned Newscaster Sarkar Kabir Uddin, Valiant Freedom Fighter Harun Chowdhury, Counsellor of the Embassy Arifa Rahman Ruma and General Secretary of Washington Metro Awami League Shafiqul Azam Azad spoke at the seminar, among others. 

The Prime Minister's Energy Adviser earlier inaugurated a 17-day long photo exhibition on the life and works of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Auditorium here. 

Earlier, the Embassy chalked out elaborate programs to pay deepest homage to Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all time who was brutally assassinated along with most of his family members on the fateful night of August 15 in 1975.

The day's programs began in the morning with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by Ambassador Shahidul Islam. The national anthem was played at this time.

Later, the Ambassador accompanied by the Embassy officers, placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at the Bangabandhu Corner.

Messages of the Hon'ble President, Hon'ble Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister were read out by Defence Attache' Brig Gen Md Shahedul Islam, Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain, Minister (Political-I) Dewan Ali Ashraf and Minister (Political-II) Md Rashedujjaman. 

Counsellor Mohammad Moniruzzaman and Counsellor and Head of Chancery Md  Mahmudul Islam conducted the programmes in the afternoon and morning respectively.