Police yesterday arrested two alleged razakar leaders from Baniachong upazila of the district for their involvement in crimes against humanity including killings and rape in the area during the 1971 Liberation War.
A special team of Habiganj police arrested Mozibur Rahman alias Angur Miah, 52, chairman of Khagaura union of the upazila, and his elder brother Mohibur Rahman alias Boro Miah, 55, a former BNP leader, at their houses in the morning, Police Superintendent Joydev Kumar Bhadra told reporters.
Mohibur is the former chairman of the same upazila.
The siblings were produced before media at noon, our Habiganj correspondent reported. Until filing of the report, they were kept at the district detectives’ office.
Earlier in the day, the International Crimes Tribunal 2 issued arrest warrant against the duo in a case filed by Bhingraj Bibi of Khagaura village with the tribunal on November 2 last year.
According to the investigation agency, the duo raised a group of razakar force in Baniachong and established torture camp at a house.
The collaborators led by the duo raided the houses of freedom fighters and pro-liberation people, looted those and set those on fire. They also tortured women at the camp.
Meanwhile, the tribunal 1 yesterday ordered the counsel of war crimes accused Shamsuddin Ahmed, hailing from Karimganj area of Kishoreganj, to submit a list of properties he owns, BSS reported.
The lawyer, Atiqur Rahman, was asked to submit the list along with the necessary documents by February 19 as it is scheduled to pass an order on February 22 on a bail petition submitted for the accused.
The defence yesterday took part in hearing on the bail plea, citing social and professional status of his client. Shamsuddin has been in jail custody since November 27.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Sultan Mahmud Simon pleaded for two months’ time more to submit the formal charges in the case. “The investigation agency is doing their duty sincerely and found the involvement of the accused in another new charge. They need two more months to wrap up the probe work,” he said.
The tribunal set March 30 for submitting progress report on investigation or formal charge.
According to the investigation agency, Shamsuddin along with his brother Nasiruddin Ahmed is accused of raising a group of razakars in their locality and carrying out heinous crimes.
On a contempt rule against Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, the tribunal 1 yesterday set February 16 for holding further hearing since lawyer for the accused did not appear before the court and pleaded for time, BSS reported.
The tribunal on January 12 issued notice upon Jamaat acting ameer Maqbul Ahmed, its Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman, lawyer Tajul Islam, acting secretary general Shafiqur Rahman Tajul, Islami Chhatra Shibir president Abdul Jabbar and its General Secretary Md Atikur Rahman.
Tajul pleaded unconditional apology through lawyers on January 28.
Yesterday was set for holding hearing on the notice. But Nazrul Islam, counsel for the accused, failed to turn up and pleaded for adjournment through his junior Gazi MH Tamim.
The prosecution in their petition on January 1 said after the pronouncement of verdict in the trial of Jamaat Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam, defence counsel Tajul held a press briefing and made adverse comments against the verdict.
Jamaat too called two-day shutdown in protest against the death sentence handed to its leader. The tribunal, however, exempted Jamaat, from the contempt notice.
Witness: Siraj killed three Hindus
Kalipada Mandal, 70, from Dakra village of Rampal, yesterday testified in the trial of Bagerhat razakar trio Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master, Khan Akram Hossain and Abdul Latif Talukder as the 21st prosecution witness.
“On May 21, 1971, around 6,000 Hindus from different areas of Bagerhat, gathered at Dakra Kali Temple, on their way to India. Razakars led by Rozob Ali and Siraj Master attacked them around 1:30pm and opened fire. They also started chopping them with knives and bayoneting them. At one point, I hid myself behind a bush and saw Siraj shooting at Kumod Thakur, Rashik Thakur and Sushil and later chopped them to death.”
After the deposition, defence counsel Abul Hasan started cross examining the witness.
The tribunal 1 indicted the trio and framed seven charges of crimes against humanity against them on November 5 last year.