Ziaur Rahman

Last days

Many coups occurred against Zia’s rule but Zia brutally suppressed them and many military personnel were hanged under his regime. Most of them were former Mukti bahini (freedom fighters) who joined the military after the liberation war. 1,800 military recruits were executed under his regime in 1977, as a result of a failed coup initiated by some members of Bangladesh Air Force. Some of those who were hanged were just 17 year old recruits, who were denied a court martial and their crime was by association or belonging to Units that were led by Officers in the attempted coup. Amnesty International repeatedly protested these hangings only in vain. Many also linked Zia in the coup and the murder of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family.

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Zia was assassinated in Chittagong on 30 May 1981 by a small army group, alleged to have been ordered by Major General Monjur, head of Chittagong division army. Later, Monjur was captured in a tea garden in Chittagong hilly area and killed by army personnel.

Related Topics:
Chittagong - 30 May - 1981

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Zia was buried at Chandrima Uddan in Sher-e-Banglanagar, Dhaka.

Related Topics:
Chandrima Uddan - Sher-e-Banglanagar - Dhaka

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Bangladesh's former president Ziaur Rahman, the brain behind the SAARC grouping, was honoured posthumously with the grouping's first award during the Dhaka summit. The award includes 25,000 dollars, a gold medal and a certificate. The international airport in Dhaka has been named in his honour as Zia International Airport. The Chittagong Circuit House, where Zia was assassinated, has been converted to a museum to preserve his memory.

Related Topics:
Dhaka - Zia International Airport

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Following Zia's death, his widow, Khaleda Zia, became leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and became prime minister during 1991-1996 and later from 2001-present.

Related Topics:
Khaleda Zia - Bangladesh Nationalist Party - 1991 - 1996 - 2001

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