The first prosecution witness in the case of former Jatiya Party lawmaker Abdul Jabbar, now absconding, submitted his deposition at the war crimes tribunal yesterday.
Shoebur Rahman Golder, 75, said Jabbar had instructed to kill two freedom fighters and 23 Hindus, forcefully converted more than 150 Hindus into Islam and looted at least 360 houses at Phuljhuri of Pirojpur during the 1971 Liberation War.
The witness said he worked at the Pakistan Administrative Staff College in Lahore and came to Dhaka on February 29, 1971. He went to his village Tushkhali on April 4 to train young people for the war.
He said on May 16 of 1971, the accused Jabbar held a rally on the playground of Tushkhali High School and ordered the collaborators to bring to him Abdur Razzak and Motaleb Sharif (trainer of freedom fighters) dead or alive. The witness said he was an eyewitness. In line with the order, the armed razakars held the two freedom fighters and killed them.
After his deposition, state-appointed defence counsel Mohammad Abul Hasan cross examined the witness. The trial was later adjourned until today.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal 1 led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim recorded the deposition of the witness after hearing the opening statement in the case, placed by prosecutor Mohammad Zahid Imam.
Shoeb said Jabbar had always instigated his followers to launch war on the Hindus. Quoting the war crimes accused, the witness said: “He used to say ‘Hindu’s wealth and properties are for plunder and so the Muslims can use them. If the Hindus want to live in this country, they will have to become Muslims.’”
According to the witness, Pakistan Muslim League Leader Jabbar was elected an MPA in 1967-68 and took the charge of Peace Committee of Mathbaria during the war. He recruited Iskandar Ali Mridha as the razakar commander of that area.
The witness described the killing of Sharda saying: “Jabbar along with 30-35 Pakistani Army personnel went to Phuljhuri village and instructed the army to kill Sharda Kanto Paik. The army gunned down Sharda on the spot.”
He said in late May, following the instruction of Jabbar, razakars had forcfully converted over 150 Hindus of Paikbari to Islam. Later they were forced to take Muslim names and eat beef.
On October 6 of 1971, about 40-50 razakars led by Jabbar went to Angulkata village and detained 37 Hindus. Among them, seven were set free. “They opened fire at the detainees and killed 22 people,” the witness said.
Meanwhile, the same tribunal has asked the defence counsel to conclude their argument in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam by today. Lawyer Abdus Subhan Tarafder continued placing argument for the fifth day yesterday.