Daughter of a martyred freedom fighter yesterday said following the order of alleged war criminal Syed Mohammad Qaisar, the Pakistani Army had captured her father along with three of his fellows and killed them near the bank of Sonai River in Habiganj during the 1971 Liberation War.
Mazeda Khatun alias Jomila Khatun, 74, daughter of Akkas Ali from Mouzpur of Madhabpur in Habiganj, suspected that his father was killed since he had refused to support Qaisar in the election of 1970.
“When the accused came to seek votes in 1970, we told him that we will go for the Awami League. Qaisar was defeated in that election. This is why he killed my father,” she told the International Crimes Tribunal 2.
The 26th prosecution witness said after his confinement, the family had pleaded to Qaisar to spare Akkas Ali, but the accused denied.
In her deposition, Mazeda said: “On the 12th of Ashwin [sixth month of Bangla calendar], my father was at Siraj’s house with several other freedom fighters. The Pakistani Army men entered the house after Fajar prayers. Our neighbours Rawshan Ali and Alauddin from Sultanpur were with the army at that time. Qaisar in white dress led them with a pistol.”
After capturing four including her father, the army and their local collaborators had taken them to Jagadishpur Army Camp and confined them. “We followed them and found Siraj Mia, Wahed Ali, Sattar and my father tied. The razakars and the army personnel were torturing them.”
When requested to free them, Qaisar had refused to do so, Mazeda said. Following Qaisar’s order, the troops had taken the freedom fighters near the Sonai River and shot them dead by gunshots.
After the deposition, defence counsel SM Shahjahan questioned her for half an hour.
Earlier in the day, 25th prosecution witness Amai Ullah, 77, placed his deposition corroborating with the 24th witness.
The defence did not cross examine him. Amai, hailing from Norpoti village of Chunarughat in Habiganj, is a farmer and placed deposition over the atrocities that had taken place in his village in 1971.
Meanwhile, Mizanul Islam, counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Abdus Subhan, concluded cross-examination of the 13th prosecution witness at the same tribunal. The trial was later adjourned until today.
