A new witness in the trial against former Jatiya Party lawmaker Abdul Jabbar yesterday said the accused called a meeting during the 1971 Liberation War to save Pakistan and called for eliminating the supporters of Awami League, freedom fighters and Hindus, terming them “enemies of the country.”
Md Siddique Matobbor, 60, the fourth prosecution witness, mostly corroborated the depositions of previous witnesses on charges 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Siddique told the International Crimes Tribunal 1 the incident where razakars, following the instruction of Jabbar, had detained 150 to 200 Hindus from Phuljhuri village, converted them to Islam and forced them to eat beef.
The witness said on May 16 of 1971, accused Jabbar held a rally around 11am on Tushkhali High School ground from where he had ordered to bring freedom fighters Abdur Razzak and Motaleb Sharif dead or alive.
He also described the atrocities in Angulkata village. He said: “In the morning of October 6, about 40-50 razakars led by Jabbar went to Angulkata village and detained 37 Hindus. Among them seven were set free. They opened fire on the detainees and killed 22 people.”
After his deposition, state-appointed defence counsel Mohammad Abul Hasan questioned him and the tribunal 1 adjourned the hearing until today leaving the cross-examination incomplete. Earlier, Hasan concluded cross examining third witness Abdul Mekar who gave his deposition on Monday.
Meanwhile, Investigation Officer Motiur Rahman in the trial against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Abdus Subhan started placing his deposition yesterday. After half an hour, when he said he had started the investigation halfway, the tribunal asked the prosecution to place the other investigation officer first.
