The death of war crimes witness Mostafa Hawlader from injuries he had suffered allegedly in an attack by Jamaat-e-Islami activists rings the alarm as the government prepares for the execution of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla, a senior Jamaat leader.
Witnesses in Pirojpur say the attack on Mostafa underscores a porous witness security system, pointing finger at the government’s indifference over enacting the much-talked-about witness protection act.
Known as a brave witness speaking openly about Delawar Hossain Sayedee’s war crimes, Mostafa’s house, only a five minute-walk from a police camp at Parerhat of Pirojpur, was invaded by a group of three people early Sunday.
The victim’s wife recognised two of the three attackers as local Jamaat activists. Police have arrested six people after a case was filed over the attack. Another suspected attacker, Mahbubur Rahman, an influential local Jamaat activist, is on the run.
Immediate-past law minister Shafique Ahmed confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune that works on preparation of the act had been completed on part of his ministry and that it was pending with the home ministry.
State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku said they thought the protective measures taken for the witnesses had been enough. “But now I will try to find a way to get the law enacted. We will investigate Mostafa’s case thoroughly and seriously.
Another witness in Sayedee case Ruhul Amin Nobin said: “The recent development with regard to Molla’s execution and this attack [on Mostafa] are related like the beads in a pendant are connected. The signal to the government is clear: we execute before you [the government executing war crimes convict].”
Nobin, who was the Zianagar upazila AL’s general secretary for over half a decade, said the security measures would have been better had the government put the issue of war crimes trial above politics.
The Dhaka Tribune contacted Mahbubul Alam Hawlader, plaintiff of the Sayedee case and a witness whose house was attacked by over 200 Jamaat-BNP activists on October 28. “They [Jamaat activists] told me earlier that not a single witness will survive,” Mahbub recalled. He was at the wit’s end to make any comment further.
The Dhaka Tribune had interviewed him several times during a recent trip to Pirojpur recently. Mahbub had decided to not always move escorted by three to four police as he could not afford it. “The idea of providing security this way is superfluous,” said Mahbub describing the food and accommodation problem of the police personnel.
Both the incidents of attack took place within a week after police protection had been withdrawn from the spots.
Mostafa’s son Hafizur Rahman on Tuesday was carrying his father’s body back home on a microbus, well-guarded by the police.
District Police Superintendent Akhteruzzaman said witnesses in the area had been protected according to the plan by the district’s witness protection committee. Temporary police and Rab camps were set up at strategic points while the segregated witnesses’ residences were guarded by deploying police there.
A police patrol car drove through the area of Mostafa’s house even 10 minutes before the attack was reported to them, he said.
A witness protection act could have provided better arrangements if enacted considering the situation the country has been going through. But the government did not do it, said a highly-placed police official preferring anonymity.
Many suggest complete rehabilitation of the witnesses, if needed by creating a special protected zone, providing them with livelihoods.
“Protection is needed not only for witnesses, but for all involved with the trial process. The government does not have time to waste, and should evaluate its security situation seriously without delay,” said Shafique Ahmed, who is now an adviser to the prime minister.