Interviewed by
Mohibul Izdani Khan Dablu

Ziauddin M Chowdhury was the deputy commissioner in charge on 30th May 1981 at the time of the murder of Ziaur Rahman. He wrote about several issues in his book concerning the incidents that occurred before and after the murder of Ziaur Rahman. This interview was taken by Mohibul Izdani Khan Dablu. This interview gave rise to various questions regarding the murder.

On the night of murder, former administrator Ziauddin M Chowdhury was staying in his bungalow which was about one mile away from Chittagong circuit house. Naturally, that night is still a nightmare for him. Due to the lack of support from army deployed in Dhaka, the coup however was not successful.

Q) What was your official position at the time of the murder?
Z. M Chowdhury: At that time, I was in Chittagong‘s deputy commissioner.

Q) Did you have any idea about the plans made to murder Ziaur Rahman?
Z. M Chowdhury: No. That night I most likely heard gunshot noise at around 3 am while the distance between my bungalow and Chittagong circuit house was about one mile.

Q) Can you say some words regarding the incidents that occurred before and after the murder?
Z. M Chowdhury: 30th May, the day of the murder is still a nightmare for me. That morning Ziaur Rahman was murdered by his unidentified assassins at Chittagong circuit house. 3 more innocent people were also murdered along with him. As far as I have learnt, a group of uniformed military officers hailing from Chittagong cantonment office were guilty of murdering them all. Those thought has haunted me for years and still does.
What happened later,
The encroachment of his murder lasted about an hour because it took police control room an one hour to inform me about the incident. By the time I reached the circuit, the assassins have already fled the crime scene. However, later all news reported regarding the murder were ambigious.

Q) Who else were present along with Ziaur Rahman in the circuit house?
Z. M Chowdhury: A team of representatives was present with the President. They all stayed overnight at the circuit house . Besides President’s personal official, the team consisted of BNP’s secretary general of that time, Doctor Bodrodoja Chowdhury, advisor Doctor Amina Begum and a state minister. They all hid under the bed once the assassin entered the circuit house. I saw the political leader coming out one by one, shivering in fright when I reached the circuit house. The thing that I found most astounding was the role of Lieutenant Colonel Mahfuz. H appeared extremely calm to me at that time. He was also clad in his uniform. On my arrival, I found him speaking on his walkie talkie. On a calm tone, he informed me that Chief General Ershad is about to arrive on his helicopter.

Q) Do you think Lieteant Colonel Mahfiz was involved in the muder of Ziaur Rahman?
Z. M Chowdhury: Honestly, his behavior didn’t seem normal to me. Later I came to know that there has been complains against him from the court marshal which suggested that he may have informed about Ziaur Rahman’s whereabouts from the inside.

Q) When was everybody informed about Ziaur Rahman’s muder?
Z. M Chowdhury: The first announcement was made in Chittagong Radio. The announcement informed that BNP government was overtaken by the ‘Biplobee Council.’ Six hours passed but no words were expressed by the local government regarding this matter. Much later, Vice President expressed deep indignation towards this coup in a radio announcement. In his speech, he blamed Major General Abu Monjur for the murder of Ziaur Rahman.

Q) How did the military coup against Ziaur Rahman become unsuccessful?
Z. M Chowdhury: Initially, a group of army officials took over telephone and radio tower although no army was spotted on the streets. During the coup, the revolted armies did not stop vehicular movement. The uncertainty of the situation spread terror in the city. Major General Monjur called me and the district commissioner. He presented himself as the representative of the “Biplobee Council’. When I asked him who else was involved in the council, he avoided my question and it seemed as if he was rehearsed the whole situation.

Q) Who do you think murdered General Monzur?
Z. M Chowdhury: As far as I know, the transfer of Monjur from police custody to central was not authorized. According to reliable source, an official from Dhaka entered Monjur’s room. He shot Monjur and left. Everything was carried out immaculately, according to plan.

Q) What force do you think acted behind the murder of Ziaur Rahman?
Z. M Chowdhury: 3 weeks after the murder f Zia, no words were heard from the rebels. The central court gave capital punishment to 13 officers but whether they were truly guilty or not is questionable. In my opinion, the internal conflict among the military force may have led to this murder.

Q) Why did you leave the country?
Z. M Chowdhury: I never really left the country. I often travel back and forth to the country. Bangladesh government provided me with a scholarship at 1981 for my higher education. After completing my studies, I got an offer for in World Bank. I started my work in World Bank during my leave from the government job. However later, I resigned from the job at central bank and joined World Bank on a long term basis.

Written by Mayesha Raidah