Probe finds evidence of war crimes

The investigation agency designated to probe war crimes yesterday said it had found “sufficient evidence” against Faridpur BNP leader Zahid Hossain Khokon in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War.
Khokon, who was a local leader of the Razakar force at the time, was “involved” in at least 13 incidents of war crimes which left at least 50 people dead, eight others seriously injured and two women raped, it said.
The probe body revealed the information before the media after completing its investigation against Khokon, who is now mayor of Nagarkanda municipality in Faridpur.
The 70-year-old war crimes suspect is believed to be on the run.
“We have found sufficient evidence in all 13 incidents committed in Nagarkanda between April 21 and July 30, 1971,” Sanaul Huq, a senior member of the agency, told The Daily Star yesterday.
“We will submit the probe report to the prosecution tomorrow [Thursday] for the next step,” he told reporters at the agency's Dhanmondi office in the capital.
Abdul Hannan Khan, coordinator of the agency, said the agency would also request the prosecution to take necessary action in arresting Khokon.
Khokon was a close associate of Abul Kalam Azad, a condemned war criminal from Faridpur, he said, adding that 50 people had been made witnesses to prove his crimes.
Sanaul Huq said Khokon, his elder brother Zafar, Azad and other anti-liberation people welcomed the Pakistan army in Faridpur on April 21, 1971 and received arms from them.
The armed Razakar Bahini, led by Khokon and Zafar, began killing people, looting houses and temples before setting those on fire, forcibly converting Hindus to Islam and committing other genocidal acts in different areas of Nagarkanda.
Zafar and some Pakistani army men were killed in a battle at Chandhaat on May 29, 1971, Sanaul said.
After Zafar's death, four Razakar groups, including that of Khokon and Azad, were involved in looting, arson and killing in many villages for three subsequent days, he said, adding: “We have no information about Khokon's activities after July 30, 1971.”
According to a handout of the agency, Khokon was “involved” in the killing of 50 persons, injuries to eight, rape of two, torture of 17, forced conversion of nine Hindus, setting fire to numerous houses and two temples, and deportation of seven persons.
Satya Ranjan Roy, the investigation officer, said Khokon in a single incident had “killed” 16 women and children at Kodalia village in Nagarkanda during the war.
Sanaul said Khokon took part in an election campaign for a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate in 1970, and was involved with the party. Later, he got involved with the BNP.
As vice-president of Nagarkanda BNP unit, Khokon took part in the municipality election in 2011 and became its mayor, he said.
“After taking the oath, he went into hiding,” Sanaul said, adding, “We assume he is now in Sweden with his son. But we have no concrete information in this regard.”
Hannan said the agency was conducting investigations against 10 more war crimes suspects in different localities.
They are Syed Mohammad Qaisar of Habiganj, Gias Quader Chowdhury of Chittagong, Shakhawat Hossain of Jessore, Maulana Abdus Subhan of Pabna, ATM Azharul Islam of Rangpur, Amjad Mina of Khulna, Lahar Ali Shah of Rajshahi, Rustam Sikder of Patuakhali, Abdul Jabbar of Pirojpur and Sheikh Sirajul Islam of Bagerhat.
The two war crimes tribunals have delivered verdicts against four war criminals. The trials of ten other accused have been going on.