Two new prosecution witnesses in the war crimes case against fugitive accused Zahid Hossain Khokon alias Khokon Razakar yesterday described how their family members had been gunned down by the accused and his accomplices in Faridpur during the 1971 Liberation War.
The testimonies of the couple – Manjuara Begum and Botu Mia – were similar as they spoke on the atrocities at Baghat village in Nagarkanda. After their cross-examination, the tribunal adjourned the proceedings until March 18.
The 21st witness, Manjuara said: “Khokon and other razakars along with the Pakistani troops dragged four of my neighbours out of their houses and made them to stand in a queue. Then Khokon dragged my maternal grandfather out of the mosque, where he was reciting the holy Qur’an, to stand in the line with them and opened fire. Four of them died on spot and one wounded person died after suffering for couple of hours.”
She said from a bush she had witnessed the whole incident that took place on a day of Bengali month Jyoishtha. “Later Khokon and his accomplices went towards the west side of our village and killed 12-13 people there.” The villagers had been buried a day later.
Manjuara was followed by her husband Botu Miah, 59, who had witnessed the killing of his father, cousin and a neighbour.
