Assassination of Ziaur Rahman - Aftermath

Aftermath

After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman on 30 May 1981, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the Chief of Army Staff, remained loyal to the government and ordered the army to suppress the coup attempt of Zia's associates led by Major General Abul Manzoor.

Government ordered the rebel force to surrender and gave them a time limit. Most soldiers including officers who took part in the mission to attack in Chittagong Circuit House did surrender and so the leading officer including GOC Manjoor were trying to escape towards Chittagong Hill Tracts. On the way they were intervened by government sented force. Colonel Matiur Rahman and Lt Colonel Mahub (chief of 21st East Bengal, nephew of Manjoor) were shot to death by Major Mannan (a Pakistan return officer,2IC of 12 Engineer Battalion).
General Manjoor was caught at Fatikchhari by both Police and Army force while they were feeding their children inside a tea garden.. He however surrendered to Police. He was taken to Hathazari thana. General Manjoor requested journalist which he was refused. He then asked to send to him to chittagong jail otherwise he said, army would kill him. When he was inside the police truck about to move, army force arrived at the thanka and after some debate a nayeb-subadar catch General Manjoor's hand and force him towards the army vehicle. He was then blinded and hands were tight. Later story is never been disclosed except government published officiall news that General Manjoor has been killed by unknown angry army soldiers due to his killing of President Ziaur Rahman Manzoor's death – at first described as having been at the hands of an "enraged mob", but later shown in an autopsy report to have been via a gunshot to the back of the head – added to the mystery. The rest of the conspirators were tried in military court, and given sentences ranging from the death penalty to imprisonment.

Following Zia's death, Vice President of Bangladesh Justice Abdus Sattar became Acting President. He was elected in a popular vote in December 1981 but was deposed in 24 March 1982 by a bloodless coup by Ershad.

One of the accused of Zia's murder case, captain (Rtd.) Giasuddin Ahmed is now a Awami League member of Jatiya Sangshad from Gaffargaon Upazila, Mymensingh District.

12 officers mostly 1971 veterans, were hanged for their alleged involvement in the 30 May killing of president Ziaur Rahman after a hasty trial in a military court that completed the trial process only in 18 days. The 13th officer was hanged two years later as he was being treated for bullet wounds he had received during the 30 May incident in Chittagong.