Zahidul Islam alias 'Boma Mizan', detained explosives expert of the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), have told investigators that an 'act

The government is taking steps to try Pakistani war criminals of 1971 in absentia and the trial would be completed within the tenure of the present government, said Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday. He was speaking at Bangladesh Sanglap organised by BBC Bangla Service at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. "We are committed to trying the war criminals within the tenure of our government ensuring that the trial procedures meet international standard," said Shafique. "We might not be able to try the Pakistani war criminals bringing them to Bangladesh but we are taking steps to try them in absentia," he said. The law minister said the government has asked the authorities concerned to investigate the deaths in crossfire. BNP leader and former minister barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia said all political parties in the country are now demanding the trial of war criminals. But if the issue is left unsettled, any quarter might cash in on it to woo voters.Commenting on militancy the law minister said the government is determined to root out militancy from the country and has already passed two acts to this effect. He said militancy spread fast in the country as religion-based politics was allowed through the Fifth Amendment in the constitution. "A political party, which is also a key component of the four-party alliance, said militancy cannot be eliminated from the country without their support. It indicates that they are also involved in militant activities," the law minister said. Ain o Salish Kendra Director Md Nur Khan said the government needs to intensify its efforts to root out militancy from the country. He suggested forming a national committee comprised of representatives from political parties, media and research organisations to fight militancy. Amena Mohsin, professor at the international relations department of Dhaka University, said the government is showing positive signs in combating militancy. Mithila Farzana of BBC moderated the dialogue on the country's current issues.