Convicted killers of Kazi Aref, 4 others still absconding

Police are yet to arrest the absconding convicted killers of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president and an organiser of the Liberation War Kazi Aref Ahmed and four leaders of the party's Kushtia unit even after nine years of the killings.
Leaders, activists and people from different sections today observe the ninth anniversary of death of these leaders and demanded immediate arrest of the convicted killers and execution of the verdict.
The JSD and its front organisations have chalked out programmes, including silent rally and discussion meetings, in the district.
An armed gang killed Aref, Kushtia district JSD president Lokman Hossain, general secretary Yakub Ali, and local JSD leaders Shamsher Ali and Israil Hossain at a rally in Kalidaspur village of Daulatpur upazila in Kushtia on February 16, 1999.
As Aref completed his speech against the political violence and increasing outlaw activities of the time in the southwestern region of the country, the killers sprayed bullets on him. The local leaders died while trying to save Aref.
The verdict of the case in connection with the killings was announced on August 30, 2004, sentencing 10 persons to death and 12 others to life imprisonment.
The convicts with death penalty are Ilias Hosain and Sahir Uddin of Talbaria, Baker of Kishorinagar, Mannan Mollah of Pachabhita, Anwar, Jhantu and Jahan of Kursha of Kushtia district, Jalal of Baliashisha, Safayat Hossain of Rajnagar and Rowshan of Bhabanipur of Meherpur.
Of them, Mannan Mollah, Jahan, Jalal and Baker have been absconding while Rowshan was killed in crossfire with police on August 27, 2006.
The convicts with life imprisonment are Nuruzzaman Laltu of Kairadanga of Chuadanga district, Rofat, Asgar and Mohid of Talbaria, Faraz, Tashir and Garesh Sardar of Kalidaspur, Majid of Hridoypur, Mahatab of Rajnagar, Oliar of Pagla, Akubbar of Malihad, and Tikka of Kursha of Kushtia.
Of them, Mahtab, Oliar and Akubbar are evading arrest while Mohid was killed in crossfire with police on February 12, 2005.
On September 25, 2004, the other convicts who have been in jail appealed in the High Court against the lower court verdict.
The case is still pending there and no hearing has been held so far regarding the appeal.
Many people including the JSD leaders have urged the High Court to take steps for quick verdict on the case considering its importance.
JSD Kushtia President Abdul Alim Swapan has demanded immediate arrest of the absconding killers and execution of the verdict.
Kazi Rabiul Islam, close relative of Kazi Aref and convener of Kazi Aref Smriti Parishad Kushtia, also urged the caretaker government to take steps in this regard.