On May 30, 1981, President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP, was assassinated at Chittagong Circuit House. Despite the suppression of the rebellion and military trials, many questions remain unanswered, particularly concerning the relationship between the army and power. The incident occurred at dawn, disrupting the silence of the Circuit House where President Zia was staying after arriving in Chittagong the previous day to resolve local party conflicts.
The Chittagong District Administrator at the time, Ziauddin M Chowdhury, described the event in his book 'The Assassination of Two Generals: The Failed Military Coup of 1981'. Zia's sudden visit to Chittagong, without prior indication, was unusual. His entourage included BNP leaders and personal staff. The primary purpose of his visit was to address internal party disputes in Chittagong BNP.
Anthony Mascarenhas, in his book 'Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood', suggests that Zia's assassination was not just an isolated military attack but was rooted in post-independence army discontent, psychological distance between Mukti Bahini and Pakistan-returned officers, resentment over promotions, Zia's power-centric rule, and instability surrounding Major General Manzur in Chittagong. However, Ziauddin M Chowdhury expressed doubt about Manzur's direct involvement in the assassination, adding complexity to the historical narrative.
The attack on the Circuit House was swift, organized, and brutal. Government statements attributed the assassination to a'revolutionary council' of rebel soldiers. Major General Manzur announced Zia's death via Chittagong Radio, claiming to be the sole spokesperson for the 'revolutionary council'. This announcement led to widespread panic in Chittagong, imposition of martial law, and severing of communication with Dhaka.
In Dhaka, efforts to maintain constitutional continuity began immediately. Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar assumed the role of interim President, declaring a state of emergency and national mourning. The most pressing issue was the whereabouts of Ziaur Rahman's body. It was secretly buried in a hilly area of Rangunia after being removed from the Circuit House by the army.
After Manzur's escape and some stabilization of the situation, efforts to recover the body began. Ziauddin M Chowdhury wrote that they learned Zia's body had not been taken to the military cantonment. Local police reported that soldiers had buried a body in an empty plot near the Bangladesh Tobacco Company. A local Maulvi, unaware of the identity of the body, assisted in the burial. After Zia's death was announced, locals suspected the buried body and informed the police, leading to the discovery of Ziaur Rahman's mutilated corpse.
Following its recovery, Ziaur Rahman's body was taken directly to the Chittagong military cantonment. Ziauddin, Divisional Commissioner Saifuddin, and Police Superintendent Maruf were involved in this process. They found confusion and uncertainty within the cantonment, with no guards at the main gate and many officials in a state of confusion.
