Even a death sentence proved to be inadequate for wiping out the deep-rooted fear that the name Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury invokes in the minds of the people of Raozan, especially those who were directly affected by his atrocities.
Although a feeling of satisfaction could be sensed among freedom fighters and locals, but those who testified against the war criminal or the families of the victims of his crime remained tightlipped fearing backlash.
None of them were ready express their feelings about the death sentence handed down to SQ Chy by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
In fact, many such testifiers and families of victims have reportedly fled their residences out of fear that miscreants might attack them for moving against the war criminal.
Security personnel barred this reporter from entering the Kundeshwari area, where the followers of SQ Chowdhury killed Nutan Chandra Singh in 1971. Law enforcers could be seen stationed at the gate of the Kundeswari Bhaban to avert any untoward situation.
This correspondent tried to talk to the family members of the victims at Unshattarpara, where at least 69 people from the minority community were killed by SQ Chowdhury in 1971.
None wanted to comment on the verdict.
However, soon after the announcement of the verdict against the six-time Member of Parliament, a section of people from Raozan brought out a procession in the Munshir Ghata area in appreciation of the verdict. Soon after, a motorbike procession was brought out.
The local leaders and activists of ruling party Awami League distributed sweets after the verdict was announced and demanded immediate execution.
Kiran Lal Acharya, a freedom fighter, told the Dhaka Tribune that SQ Chowdhury and his father led the mass killing at Jagatmalla Para and Unshattarpara in collaboration with Pakistani soldiers in 1971.
Safiqul Islam Baby, president of upazila unit Awami League, hailed the ICT verdict saying Raozan had been finally freed from disgrace. He also said people wanted to see the execution of the verdict during the tenure of the present government.
Additional police has been deployed at the key points in the area to avert any unwanted situation, said Enamul Hauqe, officer-in-charge of Raozan police station.