A new prosecution witness in the trial against Maulana Abdus Subhan showed wounded spots on his body before the war crimes tribunal yesterday and alleged that it was the Jamaat-e-Islami leader who had shot him twice during the 1971 Liberation War.
Testifying as the fourth prosecution witness, Rustam Ali, 65, from Pakshi of Ishwardi in Pabna, described at the International Crimes Tribunal 2 the killings of at least five pro-liberation people.
He said Subhan, then acting chief of Pabna Jamaat and chairman of Peace Committee, had been in the position to plan and execute atrocities.
“Subhan was like an Azrail [angel of death in Muslim theology] and robber to us. I have been passing an uncomfortable life physically only because of him,” the witness said.
Rustam said he had been a labourer at a shop owned by Jayan Uddin. “On April 13 of 1971, I along with my owner and his son-in-law went to Sharaghata to collect some debts. That was the most horrifying day of my life.”
He said they had been captured by Subhan and his cohorts. “From the central mosque they took us to the field of Juktitola High School where we saw several confined people including Tulu, Israil and his uncle.
“Subhan made the three of us along with some other people including Hares Uddin and Ismail to stand in a queue. When Hares and Ismail tried to flee the scene, Subhan shot them and Ismail died on the spot. Later Subhan’s men killed Hares Uddin.”
Showing his left hand and chest, the witness alleged that the accused had shot him twice and three of his ribs were broken. “Subhan also asked the Pakistani troops to charge bayonet on me.”
The witness added that he had become unconscious following torture. “Korban Ali, who rescued me from the place, later told me that though I survived, some other people were not so lucky.”
After some day, Rustom said, he had been attacked by infection and went to India for treatment. He returned three months before liberation and stayed at Rooppur with the family of his master’s brother.
After his deposition, the tribunal adjourned the hearing until Monday accepting a defence plea. The defence will cross examine the prosecution’s third and fourth witnesses that day.
The 77-year-old Jamaat leader was indicted on December 31 last year on nine counts of crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, the tribunal 1 yesterday set May 18 for placing further witness in the case against Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam. The defence questioned two prosecution witnesses who gave deposition on Tuesday.