India plotted intellectuals' murder

Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday echoed the acting party secretary general's comment that the Indian army had plotted the murders of Bangladesh's intellectuals on December 14, 1971.
Acting chief of Jamaat Maqbul Ahmad repeated the claim yesterday at a discussion in the city in observance of the Victory Day.
Besides, acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam said at the discussion the then "elected chairmen" from Awami League, and not Jamaat, formed "Razakar" and "peace committees" in '71.
Earlier at a discussion on Tuesday, he alleged that the murders of intellectuals were plotted by the Indian army.
But the following day, the party in a rejoinder to his reported speech said the reports distorted his speech.
“A brigadier of Indian army was with Zahir Raihan (film maker) when he went out of home. There were many documents with him [Zahir] on what many Awami League leaders did when they stayed in India during the Liberation War,” Maqbul said quoting the wife of Zahir.
He however did not give details.
“Abusive words like Rajakar, Al-Badr were being used against us every year when martyred intellectuals day and Victory Day are observed. But real information in this regard is surfacing gradually,” Maqbul said.
Acting chief of city Jamaat and lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that the Awami League leaders who stayed in India during the Liberation War were "agents" of that country.
Jamaat collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces during the Liberation War.