A freedom fighter yesterday testified that Syed Mohammad Qaisar, alleged founder of the collaborator “Qaisar Bahini”, was involved in the killing of at least two dozens of people in Habiganj during the Liberation War.
Qazi Kabiruddin, who took part in the war under “S Force”, which was led by Maj KM Safiullah, told International Crimes Tribunal-2 that the Pakistani army killed a pro-liberation Union Parishad chairman following instructions from Qaisar on April 27, 1971.
“I witnessed the killing from a secret place,” said Kabiruddin, the first prosecution witness in Qaisar's case.
During his three-and-a-quarter-hour unfinished testimony, the 72-year-old ex-student leader from Madhabpur provided a vivid description of preparations by the freedom fighters in Habiganj, atrocities committed by the Pakistani army as well as Qaisar Bahini and the role of Qaisar in such criminality.
Qaisar, a former state minister of the Ershad regime, has been facing 16 charges for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria during the nine-month-long war.
The prosecution yesterday alleged that Qaisar, who has been enjoying bail since August last year, and his sons had tried to influence their witnesses through other people and mobile phone.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan, with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam, asked the prosecution to take “legal steps” first and then inform the court.
Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta told The Daily Star they might file a general diary (GD) to that end.
Kabiruddin said he had organised retired police, EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) and army men after Bangabandhu proclaimed independence on March 26, 1971.
On April 12, 1971, he heard that the Peace Committee, an anti-liberation force, of Habiganj sub-division had been formed at Qaisar's house and Qaisar had become a member of the committee.
Kabiruddin added he on April 14 heard that Qaisar and his brother Faisal had been passing on information to the Pakistani army in Brahmanbaria. Subsequently, they under the leadership of KM Safiullah had gone to Qaisar's house, he said.
But they did not find Qaisar and his brothers and picked up his father Syed Soeed Uddin, who was a Convention Muslim League leader, said Kabiruddin.
The witness said he also heard on April 15 that Qaisar formed “Qaisar Bahini” with 400/500 villagers both from his locality Madhabpur in Habiganj and his maternal uncle's house Brahmanbaria with patronisation from the latter, said Kabiruddin. Qaisar had also formed a Peace Committee in Madhabpur and become its president, he added.
The witness further said KM Safiullah on April 27 assigned him and one Harun to gather information about Qaisar, Faisal and the Pakistani army. When they approached Chandura village, they found 50/60 civilians, including Qaisar and Pakistani army, there, he added.
At one stage, 30/35 Pakistani army personnel along with 25/30 members of Qaisar Bahini started marching towards Islampur, said the witness, adding that they secretly followed them
When the joint force -- Pakistani army and Qaisar force -- led by Qaisar reached near Islampur around 2:30pm, they saw Shahjahan, the then chairman of Budunti Union Parishad.
Qaisar shouted at Shahjahan saying, “He is a pro-liberation man, shoot him” and a Pakistani soldier shot him to death, said Kabiruddin.
The force then upon instructions from Qaisar burned down Uttar Qazibari, home of Kabiruddin, for supporting the Liberation War, said the witness, adding that on their way to Qazibari, Qaisar's accomplices also tortured one Nayeb Ali following his order.
They also looted cattle and other belongings from the houses before burning those to ashes, said Kabiruddin, adding, “I witnessed all these secretly.”
A group of Pakistani army soldiers led by Qaisar later attacked Kathiar village and the western side of Madhabpur market, said Kabiruddin. He added that he later returned to their camp and informed his leaders of the matter.
On April 28, two of their informers -- Kadir Master of Panihata village and Nayeb Ali of Madhabpur -- informed them that Qaisar along with the army and his own force had attacked the eastern and northern sides of Madhabpur market that day and they saw 15-20 bodies there.
They also informed that four people were killed on April 27 as the forces attacked Krishnanagar village, said Kabir, adding that on April 29, he and other freedom fighters visited the affected areas.
Defence counsel Abdus Sobhan Tarafder informed the court that they wouldn't produce any witness to defend their client. Yesterday was fixed for submission of the list of their witnesses and documents.