2 indicted for war crimes

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday indicted two war crimes accused on three charges for their alleged involvement in mass killing, arson, looting, abduction and torture committed in Chapainawabganj during the Liberation War in 1971.

The accused are Mahidur Rahman, 84, of Dadanchak village, and Afsar Hossain alias Chutu, 65, of Satrosia village, under Shibganj upazila of the district.

Among the charges, two are related to the killing of 28 people in separate incidents while the other charge was related to looting and arson in two villages. The duo, along with other Razakars and Pakistani army, allegedly committed the crimes between October 10 and November 2, 1971.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan fixed January 12 next year for recording the prosecution's opening statement and testimony of their witnesses.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty before the tribunal, claiming themselves to be "totally innocent".

In its order, the tribunal said: "It appears that the formal charge and the statement of witnesses prima facie disclose participation, substantial contribution and abetment of the accused persons to the commission of the offences as specified in section 3(2) of the act [International Crimes (Tribunals) Act-1973]."

It, however, said: "At this stage, neither the guilt nor the innocence can be determined conclusively. However, the accused persons shall be treated innocent, till they are found guilty. Their culpability, if any, can only be well determined at trial only, not at this stage."

According to the prosecution, Mahidur, son of late Subedar Ali Biswas, studied up to class IX. Since prior to 1971, he was involved in politics of Muslim League and joined the Peace Committee and Razakar Bahini during the war to assist the Pakistani army.

He used to stay at the local Razakar camp and commit atrocities around the localities jointly with other members of Razakars, the prosecution alleged.

Afsar, son of late Kutub Uddin Morol, studied up to class V. He had been an active worker of Muslim League since prior to 1971, and joined the Peace Committee and Razakar Bahini during the war.

Being associated with the Razakar members of the local Razakar camp, he used to participate in the atrocities in those areas, the prosecution said.

The investigation agency of the tribunal started probe against them on February 11 this year and completed their enquiry on October 27. Meanwhile, they were arrested in a criminal case on September 16 this year.

The prosecution pressed three charges against them on November 16 and the tribunal took the charges into cognisance on November 23.

CHARGES:

On October 6, Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by hundreds of armed Razakars and Pakistani army, attacked the villages Chandshikari, Chamatol, Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola, and abducted 39 pro-liberation people in two phases.

The detainees were tortured in confinement to glean information. Among them, 24 people were eventually shot dead by the accused persons, the first charge said.

On October 13, Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by armed Razakars launched a systematic attack at Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola and burnt down houses of the villages after looting. The destructive activities were done under the leadership of the two accused.

The acts also forced many people of the village to leave the country, the second charge said.

On November 2, Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by 30 to 35 armed Razakars attacked the houses of Kalumuddin Mondol, Abdur Rashid, Gajal and Ilias Mondol of village Sherpur Vandar and detained and tortured them.

The attackers also looted valuables of the victims' houses before torching those, the third charge read.

Then the detainees were taken to the Razakar camp set up at Adina Fazlul Haque College and later they were taken to the army camp at Shibganj CO Office. On the following day, they were brought to a place adjacent to the mango orchard of Jagircot Para where they were shot to death, it added.