Dealing with Pakistani collaborators
I do believe that the Bengalees are innately less violent than many other people. It can be a function of the abundance of nature - that we are blessed with. However, this possibly is a salient undercurrent upon which other extra-mural factors acted rather powerfully:
1. We must remember that the Pakistani military in then-East Pakistan surrendered to the Indian army and the freedom fighters. It was between Lt. Gen Niazi and Lt. Gen Aurora. A victorious military is bound by international law to treat the vanquished military with respect. Unless protected by the Indian military, I do not think that the Mukti Bahini (still lacking a cohesive structure) would have been able to save the Pakistani military personnel from the wrath of people.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 2. It is argued by some that tucked in our liberation war were other wars a) a generational (vertical) war within many families and b) ideological war amongst the Bengalees of then-East Pakistan. Because of a homogeneous and cohesive societal nature everybody on one side knew (connection) some body on the other side thus largely attenuating the eventual revenge. Unfortunately, his unresolved generational and ideological conflict still continues to hunt our national psyche.
3. Even though we won the war it was Mrs. Gandhi and Mr. Bhutto who decided the fate of the surrendered Pakistani military. There was no way to put the likes of Rao Forman Ali to trial.
4. One may allude to the hunt of Nazis by the Jewish people and feel sorry for the inability of ours. The Jewish people could do it for a few very good reasons that do not conform to the situation of ours.
Firstly, Nazi Germany was a defeated nation. Pakistan existed after 1971.
Secondly, the Jews had a well-defined enemy with whom they shared no significant cultural/ religious/ ethnic identity. So they could go full speed with no hindrance from inside. But for us, it was a totally different scenario. A RAZAKAR had multiple ties with his next-door MUKTI-JODDHA. Thus he was spared.
Thirdly, the State of Israel was an international powerhouse by virtue of its tremendous influence over many powerful countries for a variety of reasons. And power matters!