A prosecution witness against alleged war criminal Mohammad Abdul Jabbar yesterday described the killing of 25 people, and the arson or looting of at least 150 households, following Jabbar’s orders.
Md Bachchu Akon, 62, a businessman and a commander of the Mathbaria unit of the Muktijoddha Shangshad, gave his deposition as the 20th witness before the first International Crimes Tribunal.
Jabbar is facing five charges for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. Bachchu, who was a student then, said under Jabbar’s orders and conspiracy, the razakar committee that he had formed in Mathbaria in Pirojpur district, carried out murders, looting, arson and religious conversions, along with other crimes.
“On May 16, Jabbar ordered Iskander Mridha, a close relative who he had made a Razakar commander, to shoot and kill freedom fighter Abdur Razzaq Biswas and Motaled Sharif. Under his orders, Iskander attacked our village and shot them. Motaleb died on the spot and severely injured Abdur Razzak died three days later,” Bachchu told the court. “On the same day, following his orders, razakars attacked Kulpara and Nathpara, looting and setting fire to 100-150 households.”
The following day, 30-35 Pakistani soldiers, and 40-45 razakars attacked their village, and shot dead Sharda Kanto Pai under Jabbar’s commands, Bachchu said.
“The Pakistani soliders and razakars also looted and set fire to 360 houses in the village following Jabbar’s commands,” he said.
Bachchu, who witnessed all these this from where he was hiding, fled to a freedom fighters’ camp in the Sunderbans. In October, he heard from sources that Jabbar, along with Iskander and other collaborators, were planning to attack influential Hindu families in Angul Kata and Mathbaria villages.
“I saw razakars, led by Iskander, going towards the Angul Kata village around 11 o’clock one night. I followed them from a distance and saw them attack the Mitra household and capture 19 people after looting their home,” Bachchu told the court.
“They then took them to Mathbaria, attacking other houses on their way and capturing individuals as they went – totaling in 37 Hindu victims, whom they beat up and kept in the field of what is today a municipality office.”
Among others, the Kirtaniya, Haldar, Bala, Majhi and Hawladar households also came under attack.
“After discussing for a long time with the razakars, Iskander released seven and took the other 30 towards the Mathbaria police station. They led them to the Shurjomoni Wapda road, where they made them stand on an embankment and shot them. Then they left,” Bachchu said.
After that, the razakars and Iskander left. When Bachchu, along with some local freedom fighters, went there, they saw 22 of them dead and eight others severely injured.
