Akram, Latif killed Bagerhat freedom fighter

Khan Akram & Abdul Latif

A freedom fighter yesterday told International Crimes Tribunal-1 how war crimes accused Khan Akram Hossain and Abdul Latif Talukder shot dead a fellow at Bagerhat's Teligathi Bazar and dumped the body in a canal on December 13, 1971 during the Liberation War.

In the afternoon of that day he and six other freedom fighters were going to the bazar from their Bhatkhali camp to visit the mother of a fellow, Solayman Sarder, said the 15th prosecution witness, Sohrab Nakib, now 71.

“I and Fazlur Rahman stopped by Muchibari which was south of Teligathi Bazar to buy cigarettes. But I again stopped near a bridge of Teligathi Bazar to respond to the call of nature when Fazlur went inside the bazar,” he said.

Caught by Akram, Latif and other Razakars, auxiliary forces of the Pakistani occupation army, Fazlur had screamed, he added.

“Hearing the scream, I went back to Muchibari where the other freedom fighters were waiting. From there we saw Razakars take Fazlur to the bank of the canal. Accused Akram shot him first. Later, accused Latif and Rustom Mollah also shot him,” he said.

He said they then went back to their camp.

Sohrab also added that Akram, Latif and another accused of the war crimes case, Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master, along with other Razakars killed around 42 Hindus after attacking Shakharikathi Bazar on November 4, 1971.

The state appointed defence counsel cross-examined him before proceedings were adjourned until today.

Sirajul is facing six charges while Abdul Latif and Akram three. They deny the charges.