Alim asks people to help capture freedom fighters

War crimes accused Abdul Alim had urged people to help capture the freedom fighters and assist the Pakistani army at a meeting in Joypurhat during the Liberation War, a prosecution witness testified yesterday.
Abdus Sobhan Sardar, resident of Akkelpur in Joypurhat, also told the International Crimes Tribunal-2 that local Razakars and Peace Committee members had handed over 14 to 15 people to the Pakistani army and only one of them survived.
In another case against Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a prosecution witness yesterday testified that the Pakistani army and their collaborators had captured one of his relatives in presence of the accused in May and he never returned.
Najim Uddin of Hathazari in Chittagong testified before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that his uncle was tortured at Salauddin's Goods Hill residence. He added they had made attempts in vain for his release from Goods Hill.
After recording their testimonies, both the tribunals adjourned the proceedings until today when the prosecution witnesses are set to face cross-examination in their respective cases.
BNP lawmaker Salauddin is facing 23 charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War, while former BNP lawmaker Abdul Alim is facing 17 similar charges.
ALIM'S CASE
Abdus Sobhan, 17th prosecution witness, said in the first week of May in 1971, 14 to 15 people of Akkelpur were leaving for India. At one stage, they had taken shelter at the house of Bhatsha Union Parishad chairman Syed Ali due to a battle between the Pakistani army and freedom fighters.
On information from Syed Ali, who was a Razakar, the Pakistani army had taken away three of the people, said Sobhan. “I have heard from locals about taking of the three,” he added.
Syed Ali had later handed over the rest of the people to Akkelpur Peace Committee. They were confined to the waiting room of Akkelpur Railway Station for three days, added Sobhan.
After three days, Makbur Kabiraj, Mati Chairman and Noor Bakth, who were members of Razakar force, had turned them in to Pakistani army, who shot them near Bakjana station. Only Mozammel Hossain of them survived.
“During the three days' confinement at the railway waiting room, Razakars used to assure [the detainees] that they would be released after talking with Alim Saheb. I have heard about the matter from locals,” said Sobhan.
Earlier on September 4 last year, second prosecution witness Saidur Rahman narrated the same incident and said after holding a meeting with local Peace Committee members, Alim had handed over the 10 detainees to the Pakistan army.
Sobhan said the then Muslim League leader Abdul Alim addressed a meeting held at the mill of Saleman Kabiraj of Akkelpur in mid-May.
“In his speech Alim said 'this is Pakistan. Indian intervention wouldn't be allowed here. Help capture the freedom fighters and assist the Pakistani army',” said Sobhan.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan recorded his testimony before adjourning the case proceeding.
SQ CHOWDHURY'S CASE
Najim Uddin, 30th prosecution witness in the case against Salauddin, said his paternal aunt was married to Hanif, a resident of Patherhat of Rauzan upazila in Chittagong, in 1970.
During the Liberation War they had visited Najim's house but later returned to their place, said Najim, adding that probably on May 20 they learned that the Pakistani army had held his uncle Hanif.
On the following day Najim and his relatives went to his uncle's house and heard that Fayez Ahmed along with Razakars and Pakistani army had taken away his uncle.
“I further heard that Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was in a car when Razakar and Pakistani army were taking away my uncle,” said Najim, adding that his uncle's father had sent one Nazma Begum to Goods Hill for his uncle's release.
“The woman could not have my uncle released despite very good efforts. She witnessed that my uncle had undergone torture at Goods Hill,” said Najim, adding, “My uncle never returned.”
The three-member tribunal headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir recorded his testimony before adjourning the case proceeding.
Earlier in the day, the tribunal recorded testimony and cross-examination of Subal, 29th prosecution witness in the case.