BNP founder and then President Ziaur Rahman was killed in a military coup in Chittagong in the early hours of May 30, 1981.
There are still many questions about the 43-year-old murder, which have remained unsolved for years.
Mr. After Rahman’s death, a series of events took place, through which the then army chief, Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad, moved dramatically to the center of power within a few months.
Of these, the seven days following the day of the assassination are considered by many to be the most eventful and significant.
Let’s find out exactly what happened in that one week.
Death announcement on the radio
The day before the incident, i.e. 29 May 1981, the then President Ziaur Rahman went to Chittagong on a two-day visit.
The main purpose of his visit was to settle the dispute between the local leaders of the political party BNP he founded.
According to the plan, after one meeting with the leaders and activists on the first day, he went to sleep at midnight. Rahman
Within hours, an army team opened fire on him and he was killed on the spot.
After the incident, the news of Ziaur Rahman’s death was announced on the radio for the first time on the morning of 30th May.
According to the newspaper reports of that time, the news broadcast started at seven in the morning from Chittagong Radio Center on that day as well. But after only three minutes, the news suddenly stopped reading.
Shortly after this, the news of President Ziaur Rahman’s death was circulated citing the then General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General Abul Manzoor of Chittagong Cantonment.
Until the publication of this news, the common people of Chittagong and most of the officials of the local administration Mr. It is said that he did not know anything about Rahman’s death for sure.
Incumbency of the Provisional President
After the announcement on the radio, the news of Ziaur Rahman’s death spread quickly.
In a statement, the then government said that some army personnel identified as ‘Revolutionary Council’ President Mr. Rahman was killed.
In such a situation, the then Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar assumed the duties of the interim President.
After assuming power, Mr. Ziaur Rahman held several meetings with the members of the cabinet and the heads of various forces. Sattar
According to media reports at the time, everyone, including the chiefs of the three armed forces, expressed their loyalty to the interim president’s government.
Then on May 30th at noon Mr. addressed the nation on radio and television. Sattar
A copy of his speech was published in most of the national newspapers of Bangladesh the next day.
“It is with deep pain and sadness that we inform that our beloved leader President Ziaur Rahman was killed by miscreants in Chittagong this morning (May 30, Friday),” said Mr. Sattar
In the next line, he said, “I have assumed the office of President, as per Article 55 (1) of the Constitution.”
Referring to the situation in the country as ‘disastrous’, he urged everyone to maintain patience and solidarity. Sattar
At the same time, the government is also urged to provide all kinds of assistance to maintain peace and order in the country.
Besides, the members of the Cabinet are urged to fulfill their respective duties as before.
In his speech, the interim president also mentioned that the regional and international agreements with other countries will remain in force as usual.
By declaring 40 days of national mourning for the death of the President. Saktar concluded his speech.