Razakars killed doc on Yusuf's order

A son of a physician yesterday testified that Razakars took away his father in front of his very eyes and killed him following the order of AKM Yusuf near Morelganj Launch Terminal during the c.
AKM Shamsul Alam alias Jahangir, who was also tortured by Razakar force, said he had seen that Yusuf was directing his fellow men to “wipe out” the pro-liberation and Hindu community people on May 17, 1971.
Yusuf also led looting and arsons in 300/400 shops at Morelganj Bazar in Bagerhat on that day, Shamsul told the International Crimes Tribunal-2.
Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Yusuf, historically known as the founder of the infamous Razakar force, managed training for selected youths at Khulna Ansar Camp in 1971 to form the force, he said.
At one stage of his testimony, Shamsul's brimming eyes could not hold large tears as he was narrating the killing of his father who allegedly faced the wrath of Yusuf for treating the freedom fighters and giving information to them.
At the last part of his hour-long testimony, Shamsul, the third prosecution witness in the war crimes case, identified Yusuf, who is facing 13 charges for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and genocide committed in greater Khulna district during the war.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam recorded Shamsul's testimony before adjourning the case proceeding until today, when he will face cross-examination.
Fifty-eight-year-old Shamsul said he was a class-X student in 1971 and took training for taking part in Liberation War after the proclamation of independence on March 26, 1971.
Yusuf, who was a central Jamaat leader and chairman of Khulna Peace Committee, formed Razakar force after assembling the youths. He also provided them training in Khulna Ansar Camp.
Yusuf himself named the force, Razakar, Shamsul told the tribunal.
Later, Razakar camps were established in different areas of Bagerhat including Baraikhali Union, and Razakar men started torturing Awami League men, freedom fighters and Hindus, he said.
"My father Shaheed Doctor Abdul Majid was an organiser of the Liberation War and a good orator. One day, AKM Yusuf took my father to Morelganj Bazar Jame Masjid from our home and pressurised him to help Peace Committee and Razakar men," said Shamsul.
But, Shamsul's father continued to treat pro-liberation people and freedom fighters as well as providing them with advice and supply information.
"As Yusuf Shaheb learnt the matter, he ordered the killing of my father for not abiding by his words," said Shamsul, adding that around 5:00pm on July 26, 1971, seven to eight Razakar men had gone to their home as per the instructions of Yusuf.
Shamsul and his parents were at home at that time when Razakar men took his father near Morelganj Launch Terminal. They dragged his father near the river Panguchi and shot him, said the emotion-chocked witness.
"My mother and I followed the Razakar men to save my father. But Salam and Alim, two Razakar members, thrust my mother down. Later, my father's body was buried in our home after locals and labourers of the launch terminal collected his body from the water," he said.
On May 17, 1971, Yusuf, along with some Razakar men and Biharis, had arrived at Morelganj Bazar around 10:00am. There, he directed Razakar men to “wipe out” the pro-liberation and Hindu community people.
Following his instructions, Razakar men looted 300/400 shops including the house and shops of at least two freedom fighters and 20/22 Hindu houses before setting them on fire.
Shamsul said around 10:30am on May 19, Razakar men took him to their camp at Morelganj Bazar and tortured him.
But he was released around 1:30pm, as he gave an undertaking that he would not work for freedom fighters and supply information to Razakar camps.
After getting released, Shamsul went to his sister's house, some three miles away from their house.
Later, he learnt that Razakar men picked up Sanjit Das, Santi Das, Barun Das, Keshob Chandra Das, Amar and Pijus Kanti Garai on May 19 night.
Following the instructions of Yusuf, Razakar men shot the detainees at Morelganj Launch Terminal and only Amar and Pijus survived, he told the tribunal.