The Bakshi Bazar Alia Madrasa ground on Tuesday was teeming with people who came to watch the verdict on the much-talked-about BDR carnage case.
An unusual crowd of several hundred people had gathered on the ground since early in the morning. Around 9am almost half the field was buzzing with members of law enforcement agencies, lawyers, journalists and observers.
Security was beefed up on the court premises with several contingents of police, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence agencies.
The Alia Madrasa road and Bakhshi Bazar intersections were blocked with barricades and people’s movement was restricted there.
Shutters of many shops were pulled down; no rickshaws or vehicles were allowed to park in the area and people were discussing the verdict at tea stalls.
Bablu, uncle of accused Atikur Rahman, said: “We want justice. My nephew is innocent, we want him back.”
Meanwhile, when the accused were brought outside, many of them were silent, some rejoiced, while others shouted out dissatisfaction. An official, who was given death sentence, shouted: “I am Selim and I did not do anything wrong, but the court has given me death sentence. I want justice.”
Another convict blamed journalists, saying: “An official who had been with me was released, but the court has sentenced me to death.”
When Salahuddin Pintu came out, security personnel became very active and media were busy with taking his photos. Pintu smiled but kept mum.
