The eighth prosecution witness in the trial of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Abdus Subhan yesterday said he had witnessed the abduction and torture of his father and Jayen Uddin Alias Jhoru Kha during the 1971 Liberation War.
Ashraf Uddin Mia, 57, son of Alauddin Mia – an Ansar commander, hails from Arunkhola in Ishwardi of Pabna. The witness said he had been a student of class V during the war.
“On a day in the middle of Baishakh [first month of Bangla calendar], Subhan with his cohorts came to our place and enquired about my father. Some Bihari and members of the Pakistani Army were with him.” The witness said Subhan had ordered to loot the house when they failed to capture Alauddin. They also looted the house of Jhoru Kha.
“On the first day of Jaishthya [second month of Bangla calendar], Subhan along with the Pakistani Army men came to Arunkhola and surrounded a tea stall of the market place. They captured my father and Jhoru Kha from there and took them to Ishwardi Rest House, which was used as a concentration camp then,” Ashraf said.
His family members later contacted one Khoda Box for the release of Alauddin. “Khoda Box told us to go to Subhan as he was their leader.” Alauddin and Jhoru Kha were both freed by the razakars following the order of Subhan, but they were seriously wounded.
After several days, Alauddin told Ashraf about the confinement. The witness said Subhan had ordered Khoda Box to torture on them. He was tortured in presence of the accused.
At the end of deposition, the witness demanded justice saying that though his family arranged proper treatment, his father had died because of his weak health following torture.
