Two war crimes suspects held

Police yesterday arrested two suspected war criminals in Netrakona for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed in the district during the Liberation War in 1971.

Obaidul Haque alias Abu Taher and Ataur Rahman alias Nani, alleged Razakars and residents of Mokhterpara in Netrakona, were held around 11:30am, about an hour after the International Crimes Tribunal-1 had issued warrants of arrest.

Earlier in the morning, prosecutor Mukhlesur Rahman Badal filed a petition seeking their arrest as an investigator had found prima-facie “evidence” about their “involvement” in wartime crimes.

“We have sought their arrest as they might escape hearing about the investigation. Besides, as influential persons they might try to influence the investigation,” Badal told The Daily Star.

Following the petition, the tribunal directed the law-enforcement agencies to produce the duo before the court “immediately after their arrest”, said Badal. The investigation agency concerned was directed to submit a progress report before the tribunal on or before September 14.

Upon receiving the warrant, police arrested Taher at his business outlet at Chhotobazar in the town, while Nani was picked up from his house at Mokhterpara, Kawser Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Netrakona Sadar police, told Our Netrakona Correspondent.

Shahjahan Kabir, investigation officer in the case, told The Daily Star that he had started investigation against the duo on June 6, 2013 and found “preliminary” evidence about their “involvement” in at least three to four acts of war crimes.

They were allegedly involved in the killings of six people including freedom fighter Badiuzzaman Mukta at Narendranagar village in Netrakona Sadar. One of Mukta's relatives had filed a case against several people including Taher and Nani in 2010, he added.

Taher, son of Moulana Manjurul Haque of Sunai Bhogpara in Atpara, was the Razakar commander of Netrakona subdivision in 1971 and was “directly involved” in killings, rape and other crimes, sources say.

Taher's father was the president of Nezam-e-Islami of Netrakona subdivision and an influential member of Netrakona Peace Committee, both anti-liberation organisations, the sources add.

Nani, son of Ahsan Ali of Kachandara under Kendua, was a Razakar member and was involved in similar crimes, according to the sources.

They fled after Netrakona had been free on December 9, 1971 and returned to the country after the political changeover following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, they add.

ICT-2

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 heard closing arguments of the defence of former state minster Syed Mohammad Qaisar for the fourth day yesterday.

Qaisar's counsel SM Shahjahan placed arguments on the seventh and eighth charges before the three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan adjourned the proceedings until today following a time prayer by the defence.

Qaisar, alleged founder of anti-liberation Qaisar Bahini, faces 16 charges of crimes, including genocide, committed in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria in 1971 and pleads not guilty.