Khokon, accomplices shot dead three persons

A prosecution witness yesterday said he saw BNP leader and fugitive war crimes accused MA Zahid Hossain Khokon, accompanied by fellow Razakars and the Pakistani army, shoot dead three persons in Faridpur's Ishwardi village during the Liberation War.
On May 30, 1971, Khokon and the others had gone to one Kalom Sheikh's house prompting Kalom's brother Salam Sheikh, mother Boru Khatun and two sisters, Srimoti and Fulmoti, to flee, said octogenarian Abdus Salam Matubbar.
From a hiding spot he saw them shoot at the four, leaving all but Fulmoti dead, said the 15th witness before International Crimes Tribunal-1. He also depicted the killing of his cousin, Nuru Matubbar.
On May 29, 1971, he and Nuru, some 20-25 feet apart, were watching Khokon and the others battling freedom fighters with rifles on Dighalia Beel when a bullet hit Nuru, killing him on the spot, he said.
Khokon and the others had also ransacked and torched houses of many villagers, he added.
The 14th prosecution witness and Nuru's brother, Abul Kashem Matubbar, yesterday also gave his deposition, stating that Salam had depicted the killings to him right after witnessing those on the two days.
The witnesses were cross-examined and the proceedings were adjourned till today. Khokon is facing 11 war crimes charges, including genocide.