Another links Taher, Nani with Netrakona murders

Taher

Yet another prosecution witness yesterday linked Obaidul Haque Taher and Ataur Rahman Nani to the abduction and murders of several people in Barhatta upazila in Netrakona during the Liberation War.    

Matiur Rahman, 57, son of martyr Moshrob Ali Talukder of Laufa village, said Taher and Nani had killed his father and five other family members on October 19, 1971 after picking them up from their home.

Matiur, the third prosecution witness, told International Crimes Tribunal-1 that this led his mother to lose sanity and commit suicide 10 or 12 years ago.

Earlier, the second witness, Joynuddin, a resident of Matiur's neighbouring village Gumria, gave an almost similar description.
Matiur said their village was targeted by Razakars for being a stronghold of freedom fighters.

Taher and Nani, along with 100 to 150 Razakars and the Pakistani occupation army's men, attacked their village on October 19, 1971, he said.

Earlier, they picked up Chanfar Ali from Asma village and Rishi Miah of Gumria and took the detainees along with them, said Matiur. At one point of the attack, Razakars and the Pakistani army came to their home and picked up his father.

Nani picked up his paternal uncle Ruj Ali Talukder who was then reciting the Holy Quran and started torturing him outside the house, said Matiur, adding that his uncles Jafor Ali and Jahed Ali, cousin Alauddin and brother-in-law Abdul Jabbar were also picked up.
Matiur said his mother Nurunnahar Begum was tortured when she tried to stop the torture on his family members ,and the attackers even took away her earring and chain.

"My cousin Alimuddin and I witnessed the entire incident hiding behind a bush," he said, adding that the Pakistani army men and Razakars also picked up their neighbours Sadek Ali and Alauddin.

The Pakistani army and Razakars also looted and torched 70 to 80 houses, he added.

When the detainees were taken to Barhatta, Ruj Ali and Jafor Ali tried to flee but Taher and Nani shot them dead and took the others to Thakurkona camp, he said.

Sadek Ali and Alam Khan were released after they promised bringing information about the freedom fighters but the other detainees, except Chanfar Ali, were shot dead near the Thakurkona rail bridge by Taher and Nani, he said.    

Though shot, Chanfar Ali survived jumping into the river, said Matiur. Chanfar Ali informed them that the others were killed by Taher and Nani after inhumane torture.

"I want justice," said Matiur as he identified the accused at the dock. Taher and Nani deny the six charges.
The tribunal adjourned proceedings until April 29 after Taher and Nani's counsels cross-examined Matiur.