Your Right To Know
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
THE 23
CHARGES
Murder, torture, genocide, abduction, confinement, deportation,
persecution on religious grounds, looting and arson
Nutan Chandra Singh
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday
brought 23 charges against BNP
leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury in connection with crimes against
humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. Chairman of the tribunal Justice
Nizamul Huq yesterday read out the charges in an open court. The charges
brought under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 are published as
it is in brief:
Charge No 1
That on 4 or 5 April, 1971 at about 9pm in order to destroy in whole or in part the Hindu community, one of the followers of you named Abdus Sobhan informed you at your residence "Goods Hill" about the meeting of some persons held in the house of Motilal Chowdhury at Ramjay Mohajan Lane under Chittagong Sadar P.S. You being the eldest son of late Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, the President of Convention Muslim League, as well as a member of a group of individuals, gave instruction and accordingly a group of Pakistani Forces riding on 2 trucks went to the house of Motilal Chowdhury and abducted unarmed 7 civilian persons namely (1) Arabindu Sarker, son of late Dhirandra Lal Sarker, (2) Motilal Chowdhury, son of late Gagan Chandra Mahajan, 3) Arun Chowdhury, son of late Nabin Chandra Mahajan, 4) Santi Kusum Chowdhury, son of late Nagendra Mahajan, 5) Jogesh Chandra Dey, all of village Adharmanik, Police Station-Roujan, 6) Paritosh Das of village Comilla, 7) Sunil and took them to your residence "Goods Hill". Out of 7 persons Sunil was chopped by dagger but he was let off considering his tender age and the rest 6 person were inhumanly tortured to death in your presence at your house. The acts of abduction and torture fall within the purview of crimes against humanity and killing the members of religious group like Hindu community falls within the purview of genocide. You had clear presence and complicity in the aforesaid crimes against humanity and genocide.
That on 4 or 5 April, 1971 at about 9pm in order to destroy in whole or in part the Hindu community, one of the followers of you named Abdus Sobhan informed you at your residence "Goods Hill" about the meeting of some persons held in the house of Motilal Chowdhury at Ramjay Mohajan Lane under Chittagong Sadar P.S. You being the eldest son of late Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, the President of Convention Muslim League, as well as a member of a group of individuals, gave instruction and accordingly a group of Pakistani Forces riding on 2 trucks went to the house of Motilal Chowdhury and abducted unarmed 7 civilian persons namely (1) Arabindu Sarker, son of late Dhirandra Lal Sarker, (2) Motilal Chowdhury, son of late Gagan Chandra Mahajan, 3) Arun Chowdhury, son of late Nabin Chandra Mahajan, 4) Santi Kusum Chowdhury, son of late Nagendra Mahajan, 5) Jogesh Chandra Dey, all of village Adharmanik, Police Station-Roujan, 6) Paritosh Das of village Comilla, 7) Sunil and took them to your residence "Goods Hill". Out of 7 persons Sunil was chopped by dagger but he was let off considering his tender age and the rest 6 person were inhumanly tortured to death in your presence at your house. The acts of abduction and torture fall within the purview of crimes against humanity and killing the members of religious group like Hindu community falls within the purview of genocide. You had clear presence and complicity in the aforesaid crimes against humanity and genocide.
Thus, you have committed the offences of
crimes against humanity and genocide as stated in section 3(2)(a), 3(2)(c)(i)
and 3(2)(h) of the Act.
Charge No 2
That on 13th April, 1971 at a bout 6.30/8.00am you along with your accomplices accompanied with Pakistani Army went to Maddhaya Gohira Hindu Para under police station-Raojan, District-Chittagong and raided the area belonging to Hindu community and brought the unarmed Hindu civilian people in the courtyard of the house of doctor Makhon Lal Sharma and then in your presence the Pakistani Army opened fire on them indiscriminately pursuant to pre-arranged plan. As a result 1) Poncha Bala Sharma, 2) Sunil Sharma, 3) Joti Lal Sharma, 4) and Dulal Sharma were killed at the spot and 5) Dr. Makhon Lal Sharma died after 3/4 days. Joyonta Kumar Sharma was seriously injured and was alive for some years as handicapped person. These acts of murder and injury were committed in order to destroy the members of Hindu religious group in whole or in part which is genocide.
That on 13th April, 1971 at a bout 6.30/8.00am you along with your accomplices accompanied with Pakistani Army went to Maddhaya Gohira Hindu Para under police station-Raojan, District-Chittagong and raided the area belonging to Hindu community and brought the unarmed Hindu civilian people in the courtyard of the house of doctor Makhon Lal Sharma and then in your presence the Pakistani Army opened fire on them indiscriminately pursuant to pre-arranged plan. As a result 1) Poncha Bala Sharma, 2) Sunil Sharma, 3) Joti Lal Sharma, 4) and Dulal Sharma were killed at the spot and 5) Dr. Makhon Lal Sharma died after 3/4 days. Joyonta Kumar Sharma was seriously injured and was alive for some years as handicapped person. These acts of murder and injury were committed in order to destroy the members of Hindu religious group in whole or in part which is genocide.
Thus you have committed the offence of
genocide as stated in section 3(2)(c)(i) and 3(2)(c)(ii) of the Act.
Charge No 3
That on 13th April, 1971 at about 9.30am to 10.00am after killing Hinuds at Maddhaya Gohira you led the Pakistani Army to Kundeshwari Owsadalay of Gohira and raided there and entered into the household of Sree Nuton Chandar Singh; at that time he was performing his prayer in the temple, he was drug out by you from his prayer room. You told the Pakistani Army that you had instruction from your father to kill him after hearing that the army opened fire on him and he fell down after receiving bullet injury. While Mr Singh was trumbling, at that time you again shot him to confirm his death and after that you along with the Pakistani Army left the place of occurrence. This killing of Nuton Chandra Singh was committed against an unarmed civilian population which is murder as crimes against humanity.
That on 13th April, 1971 at about 9.30am to 10.00am after killing Hinuds at Maddhaya Gohira you led the Pakistani Army to Kundeshwari Owsadalay of Gohira and raided there and entered into the household of Sree Nuton Chandar Singh; at that time he was performing his prayer in the temple, he was drug out by you from his prayer room. You told the Pakistani Army that you had instruction from your father to kill him after hearing that the army opened fire on him and he fell down after receiving bullet injury. While Mr Singh was trumbling, at that time you again shot him to confirm his death and after that you along with the Pakistani Army left the place of occurrence. This killing of Nuton Chandra Singh was committed against an unarmed civilian population which is murder as crimes against humanity.
Thus you have committed the offence of crimes
against humanity as stated in section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 4
That on 13th April, 1971 at about 10.30 to 11.00am after killing the Hindus of Maddhya Gohira Hindu Para, in order to destroy member of Hindu religious group you led a team of your accomplices along with Pakistani Army and raided the area of Jogot Mollo Para belonging to Hindu community. Earlier in the morning two of your accomplices went there and told the minority Hindu people to attend in a peace meeting and putting belief in them, those people assembled there in the courtyard of Kiron Bikash Chowdhury and at that time those two accomplices of you brought you and your associates and also the Pakistani Army to that place and in your presence one of the Military men used filthy languages upon them and opened fire to the innocent village people in your presence resulting death of 32 Hindu people. Those killed were (1) Tejendra Lal Nandi, (2) Samir Kanti Chowdhury, (3) Ashok Chowdhury, (4) Sitangshu Bimol Chowdhury, (5) Premangshu Bimol Chowdhury, (6) Kiron Bikash Chowdhury, (7) Surendra Bijoy Chowdhury, (8) Charu Bala Chowdhurani, (9) Nero Bala Chowdhury, (10) Provati Chowdhury, (11) Raj Lakshmi Chowdhurani, (12) Kusum Bala Chowdhurani, (13) Jotindra Lal Sarkar, (14) Hirendra Lal Sarkar, (15) Provati Sarkar, (16) Debendra Lal Chowdhury, (17) Rajendra Lal Chowdhury, (18) Ajit Kumar Chowdhury, (19) Poritosh Chowdhury, (20) Bhabotosh Chowdhury, (21) Gopal Chowdhury, (22) Rani Bala Chowdhurani, (23) Monju Chowdhury, (24) Jheenu Chowdhury, (25) Runu Chowdhury, (26) Debu Chowdhury, (27) Shapon Chowdhury, (38) Fanibhushan Chowdhury, (29) Modhushudan Chowdhury, (30) Bipin Chowdhury, (31) Kamini Rudhura, (32) Annanta Bala Paul. Besides, Amalendra Bikash Chowdhury, Jotsna Bala Chowdhury and Chobi Rani Das were seriously injured. The houses were looted and destroyed by fire. They had to deport India as refugee to take shelter there. This act was committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part members of Hindu religious group which is genocide. The act of looting and destroying houses by fire is considered as persecutions as crimes against humanity and also you conspired to commit the said offence and also you had complicity in that offence and you failed to defend the commission of such offence.
That on 13th April, 1971 at about 10.30 to 11.00am after killing the Hindus of Maddhya Gohira Hindu Para, in order to destroy member of Hindu religious group you led a team of your accomplices along with Pakistani Army and raided the area of Jogot Mollo Para belonging to Hindu community. Earlier in the morning two of your accomplices went there and told the minority Hindu people to attend in a peace meeting and putting belief in them, those people assembled there in the courtyard of Kiron Bikash Chowdhury and at that time those two accomplices of you brought you and your associates and also the Pakistani Army to that place and in your presence one of the Military men used filthy languages upon them and opened fire to the innocent village people in your presence resulting death of 32 Hindu people. Those killed were (1) Tejendra Lal Nandi, (2) Samir Kanti Chowdhury, (3) Ashok Chowdhury, (4) Sitangshu Bimol Chowdhury, (5) Premangshu Bimol Chowdhury, (6) Kiron Bikash Chowdhury, (7) Surendra Bijoy Chowdhury, (8) Charu Bala Chowdhurani, (9) Nero Bala Chowdhury, (10) Provati Chowdhury, (11) Raj Lakshmi Chowdhurani, (12) Kusum Bala Chowdhurani, (13) Jotindra Lal Sarkar, (14) Hirendra Lal Sarkar, (15) Provati Sarkar, (16) Debendra Lal Chowdhury, (17) Rajendra Lal Chowdhury, (18) Ajit Kumar Chowdhury, (19) Poritosh Chowdhury, (20) Bhabotosh Chowdhury, (21) Gopal Chowdhury, (22) Rani Bala Chowdhurani, (23) Monju Chowdhury, (24) Jheenu Chowdhury, (25) Runu Chowdhury, (26) Debu Chowdhury, (27) Shapon Chowdhury, (38) Fanibhushan Chowdhury, (29) Modhushudan Chowdhury, (30) Bipin Chowdhury, (31) Kamini Rudhura, (32) Annanta Bala Paul. Besides, Amalendra Bikash Chowdhury, Jotsna Bala Chowdhury and Chobi Rani Das were seriously injured. The houses were looted and destroyed by fire. They had to deport India as refugee to take shelter there. This act was committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part members of Hindu religious group which is genocide. The act of looting and destroying houses by fire is considered as persecutions as crimes against humanity and also you conspired to commit the said offence and also you had complicity in that offence and you failed to defend the commission of such offence.
Thus you have committed the offence of
genocide as stated in section 3(2)(c)(i), 3(2)(c)(ii), 3(2)(g) and 3(2)(h) of
the Act and also persecution of religious ground and deportation as crimes
against humanity as stated in section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 5
That on 13th April 1971 at about 1.00pm, you and your accomplices led the Pakistani army to attack Bonic para belonging to Hinuds of village Sultanpur in the police station Raujan. Before that you through your followers chanted slogans and told the people of Bonic para not to leave their houses but the local people and the female members and children went to different places. As a result your accomplices and the Pakistani army under the leadership of you and your father entered Bonic para and opened fire upon the unarmed civilian Hindu people pursuant to pre-arranged plan and thereby killed (1) Napal Chandra Dhar, (2) Monindra Lal Dhar, (3) Upendro Lal Dhar and (4) Onil Boron Dhar. Later on the houses were put on fire and you left the place. Later on Sonaton Biswas and his family who were hiding at that time left the place and went to India as refugee. All these actions were done with intent to destroy in whole or in part the members of Hindu religious group which amounts to genocide and the act of destruction of houses by fire is considered as crime of persecution as crimes against humanity.
That on 13th April 1971 at about 1.00pm, you and your accomplices led the Pakistani army to attack Bonic para belonging to Hinuds of village Sultanpur in the police station Raujan. Before that you through your followers chanted slogans and told the people of Bonic para not to leave their houses but the local people and the female members and children went to different places. As a result your accomplices and the Pakistani army under the leadership of you and your father entered Bonic para and opened fire upon the unarmed civilian Hindu people pursuant to pre-arranged plan and thereby killed (1) Napal Chandra Dhar, (2) Monindra Lal Dhar, (3) Upendro Lal Dhar and (4) Onil Boron Dhar. Later on the houses were put on fire and you left the place. Later on Sonaton Biswas and his family who were hiding at that time left the place and went to India as refugee. All these actions were done with intent to destroy in whole or in part the members of Hindu religious group which amounts to genocide and the act of destruction of houses by fire is considered as crime of persecution as crimes against humanity.
Thus you have committed the offence of
genocide as mentioned in section 3(2) (c) (i) and persecution as crimes against
humanity under section 3(2) (a) of the Act.
Charge No 6
That on 13th April 1971 at about 4.00pm to 5.00pm you along with some of your accomplices led the Pakistani army and attacked Unsattar para under police station Rowjan, being Hindu populated area and brought the local Hindu people to the bank of pond behind the house of Khitish Mohajan telling them to attend a peace meeting and after that in your presence, they brush fired upon them indiscriminately pursuant to pre-arranged plan and thereby killed 1) Chandra Kumer Paul, 2) Tara Charan Paul, 3) Babul Mali, 4) Gopal Mali, 5) Shantosh Mali, 6) Balaram Mali, 7) Avimonnu Paul, 8) Pakhi Bala Paul, 9) Beni Madhab Paul, 10) Dhirandra Paul 11) Biroja Bala Paul, 12) Hemangshu Paul, 13) Shatish Chandra, 14) Shuprio Paul, 15) Durga Chandra Paul, 16) Shanti Bala Paul, 17) Nikunja Behari Paul, 18) Balaram Paul, 19) Sreeram Paul, 20) Fanindra Paul, 21) Tarapada Paul, 22) Pulin Behari Paul, 23) Nikunja Paul, 24) Hemanta Kumar Paul, 25) Shapon Kumar Sen, 26) Dhirendra Lal Chowdhury, 27) Nirmol Chowdhury, 28) Madhushudhan Chowdhury, 29) Santipada Chowdhury, 30) Nironjon Chowdhury, 31) Monindra Chowdhury, 32) Josna Bala Chowdhury, 33) Pritikana Chowdhury, 34) Monikuntala Chowdhury, 35) Kishna Rani Chowdhury, 36), Sree Pati Chowdhury, 37) Milon Dey, 38) Upendra Lal Gosh, 39) Monoranjon Gosh, 40) Babul Chowdhury, 41) Krishna Chowdhury, 42) Ranjit Mohajan, 43) Jogesh Mohajon, 44) Khetran Mohan Rudra, 45) Upendran Chandra Rudra, 46) Panjit Kumar Rudra, 47) Nakul Paul, 48) Protima Das, 49) Junu Gosh and 50) Badal Chowdhury and unknown 19/20 unarmed civilian persons. From the said occurrence Januti Bala Paul got gun shot injuries in her waist and the general Hindu people in order to protect their life took shelter in India as refugee. This act was committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part by killing members of Hindu religious group which amounts to genocide by killing and causing serious bodily harm to members of Hindu religious group and deportation by forcing the people to took shelter in foreign state India as refugee which is deportation as crimes against humanity.
That on 13th April 1971 at about 4.00pm to 5.00pm you along with some of your accomplices led the Pakistani army and attacked Unsattar para under police station Rowjan, being Hindu populated area and brought the local Hindu people to the bank of pond behind the house of Khitish Mohajan telling them to attend a peace meeting and after that in your presence, they brush fired upon them indiscriminately pursuant to pre-arranged plan and thereby killed 1) Chandra Kumer Paul, 2) Tara Charan Paul, 3) Babul Mali, 4) Gopal Mali, 5) Shantosh Mali, 6) Balaram Mali, 7) Avimonnu Paul, 8) Pakhi Bala Paul, 9) Beni Madhab Paul, 10) Dhirandra Paul 11) Biroja Bala Paul, 12) Hemangshu Paul, 13) Shatish Chandra, 14) Shuprio Paul, 15) Durga Chandra Paul, 16) Shanti Bala Paul, 17) Nikunja Behari Paul, 18) Balaram Paul, 19) Sreeram Paul, 20) Fanindra Paul, 21) Tarapada Paul, 22) Pulin Behari Paul, 23) Nikunja Paul, 24) Hemanta Kumar Paul, 25) Shapon Kumar Sen, 26) Dhirendra Lal Chowdhury, 27) Nirmol Chowdhury, 28) Madhushudhan Chowdhury, 29) Santipada Chowdhury, 30) Nironjon Chowdhury, 31) Monindra Chowdhury, 32) Josna Bala Chowdhury, 33) Pritikana Chowdhury, 34) Monikuntala Chowdhury, 35) Kishna Rani Chowdhury, 36), Sree Pati Chowdhury, 37) Milon Dey, 38) Upendra Lal Gosh, 39) Monoranjon Gosh, 40) Babul Chowdhury, 41) Krishna Chowdhury, 42) Ranjit Mohajan, 43) Jogesh Mohajon, 44) Khetran Mohan Rudra, 45) Upendran Chandra Rudra, 46) Panjit Kumar Rudra, 47) Nakul Paul, 48) Protima Das, 49) Junu Gosh and 50) Badal Chowdhury and unknown 19/20 unarmed civilian persons. From the said occurrence Januti Bala Paul got gun shot injuries in her waist and the general Hindu people in order to protect their life took shelter in India as refugee. This act was committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part by killing members of Hindu religious group which amounts to genocide by killing and causing serious bodily harm to members of Hindu religious group and deportation by forcing the people to took shelter in foreign state India as refugee which is deportation as crimes against humanity.
Thus you have committed offence of genocide
under section 3(2) (c) (i), 3(2) (c) (ii) and deportation as crimes against
humanity under section 3(2) (a) of the Act.
Charge No 7
That on 14th April, 1971 at about 12.00 noon you along with Pakistani Army entered into the house of Satish Chandra Palit of Rowjan Powrasava. Satish Chandra Palit at that time came out of the house and while was talking with the Pakistani Army you told the Army personnel that he is a dangerous man and should be killed, hearing this the Pakistani Army asked Palit to go inside the house and while he was about to enter into the house, the Pakistani Army shot him to death and burnt the house along with the dead body. You then left the place along with the Pakistani Army. After that the members of the family of Satish Chandra Palit to protect their lives went to India as refugee and took shelter there. You had complicity in the murder of Satish as well as burning his house and his dead body which is offence of crimes against humanity and also in the matter of deportation of the family members of Satish to India as refugee which is also crimes against humanity.
That on 14th April, 1971 at about 12.00 noon you along with Pakistani Army entered into the house of Satish Chandra Palit of Rowjan Powrasava. Satish Chandra Palit at that time came out of the house and while was talking with the Pakistani Army you told the Army personnel that he is a dangerous man and should be killed, hearing this the Pakistani Army asked Palit to go inside the house and while he was about to enter into the house, the Pakistani Army shot him to death and burnt the house along with the dead body. You then left the place along with the Pakistani Army. After that the members of the family of Satish Chandra Palit to protect their lives went to India as refugee and took shelter there. You had complicity in the murder of Satish as well as burning his house and his dead body which is offence of crimes against humanity and also in the matter of deportation of the family members of Satish to India as refugee which is also crimes against humanity.
Thus you have committed offence of crimes
against humanity under section 3(2) (a) and 3(2) (h) of the Act.
Charge No 8
That on 17th April, 1971 at about 11.00am, the founder of Chittagong Awami League Sheikh Mozaffar Ahmed along with his family members while was coming from Roujan to Chittagong town, reached Khagrachory, Rangamati corner of 3 roads and on the showing of you the army persons present there surrounded the private car of him and brought down him and his son Sheikh Alamgir from the car and took them to the nearby army camp. The relatives of them then went to your father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury and requested him to arrange for release of Sheikh Mozaffar Ahmed and his son Sheikh Alamgir to which Fazlul Qader Chowdhury replied that he will look into the matter but the matter was solely at your disposal. Several times Fazlul Qader Chowdhury was contacted but similar reply he gave but the said victims did not return as they were subsequently killed. So it is clear that you had direct complicity in abduction and murder as crimes against humanity by killing the said 2 (two) persons.
That on 17th April, 1971 at about 11.00am, the founder of Chittagong Awami League Sheikh Mozaffar Ahmed along with his family members while was coming from Roujan to Chittagong town, reached Khagrachory, Rangamati corner of 3 roads and on the showing of you the army persons present there surrounded the private car of him and brought down him and his son Sheikh Alamgir from the car and took them to the nearby army camp. The relatives of them then went to your father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury and requested him to arrange for release of Sheikh Mozaffar Ahmed and his son Sheikh Alamgir to which Fazlul Qader Chowdhury replied that he will look into the matter but the matter was solely at your disposal. Several times Fazlul Qader Chowdhury was contacted but similar reply he gave but the said victims did not return as they were subsequently killed. So it is clear that you had direct complicity in abduction and murder as crimes against humanity by killing the said 2 (two) persons.
Thus you have committed an offence of section
3(2) (a) and 3(2) (h) of the Act.
Charge No 9
In the middle of April, 1971 Pakistani Army came with big trucks to Boalkhali and you in a jeep also came to the Razakar camp of Boalkhali C.O. office at the same time and the said two trucks while were going to Kodur Khali caught hold of Santi Deb of Munsirhat and killed him at Bonic Para, northern side of the police station while you were staying in the nearby Razakar camp. At that time the Pakistani Army and Razakars looted the house of Ram Babu of Bonic para and Hindu para of Kodurkhali and put fire in the houses and destroyed them resulting deportation of the Hindus from the area and they took shelter in India as refugee you had led the whole operation sitting in the Boalkhali C.O office and also you abeted the said offences.
In the middle of April, 1971 Pakistani Army came with big trucks to Boalkhali and you in a jeep also came to the Razakar camp of Boalkhali C.O. office at the same time and the said two trucks while were going to Kodur Khali caught hold of Santi Deb of Munsirhat and killed him at Bonic Para, northern side of the police station while you were staying in the nearby Razakar camp. At that time the Pakistani Army and Razakars looted the house of Ram Babu of Bonic para and Hindu para of Kodurkhali and put fire in the houses and destroyed them resulting deportation of the Hindus from the area and they took shelter in India as refugee you had led the whole operation sitting in the Boalkhali C.O office and also you abeted the said offences.
Thus you have committed the offence of
genocide as killing members of a religious group under section 3(2) (c) (i),
persecution on religious ground as crimes against humanity and deportation as
crimes against humanity under section 3(2) (a) and abetment under section 3(2)
(g) of the Act.
Charge No 10
After 13th April, 1971 on one day you with Pakistani Army came to the house of Manik Dhar of village Dabua under Rowjan police station and looted one jeep and rice machine and put fire in the house of local chairman Shadon Dhar.
After 13th April, 1971 on one day you with Pakistani Army came to the house of Manik Dhar of village Dabua under Rowjan police station and looted one jeep and rice machine and put fire in the house of local chairman Shadon Dhar.
Thus you have committed an offence of
persecution as crimes against humanity under section 3(2) (a) of the Act.
Charge No 11
One 20th April, 1971 the Pakistani Army and the Razakars being supporters of Muslim League on the direction of you and your father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury jointly made arms attack in Sakhapura village being Hindu populated area under Boalkhali police station and indiscriminately fired and used bayonet in order to kill the people who had political and religious difference with you and they took shelter in the nearby jungle and paddy field and were killed. Later on it was found that names of 76 deceased persons could be identified who are 1) Foez Ahmed, 2) Jalal Ahmed, 3) Habildar Sekandar Ali, 4) Amir Hamja, 5) Abdul Hashim, 6) Abdul Matin, 7) Habibur Rahman, 8) Ahammad Safa, 9) Arobindo Roy, 10) Nikingo Roy, 11) Derandra Lal Dey, 12) Fanindra Lal Shil, 13) Nikunja Shil, 14) Pranhari Shil, 15) Nogendra Lal Shil, 16) Dibesh Chowdhury, 17) Gouranga Prashad Chowdhury, 18) Bishu Chowdhury, 19) Gouranga Nondi, 20) Topan Nondi, 21) Doctor Modushudon Chowdhury, 22) Ragu Nondon Chowdhury, 23) Neronjon Chowdhury, 24) Shukhendra Bikash Nag, 25) Rabindra Lal Chowdhury, 26) Upendra Lal Chowdhury, 27) Neronjon Chowdhury, 28) Bishsheswar Acharjo, 29) Doyal Hori Acharjo, 30) Kamini Shuklo Das, 31) Jogandra Lala Shuklo Das, 32) Debendra Sharma, 33) Jotindra Lal Sen, 34) Durzzati Boruya, 35) Pondit Romesh Chandra Boruya, 36) Raton Chowdhury, 37) Priotosh Chowdhury, 38) Chandon Chowdhury, 39) Nironjon Chowdhury, 40) Horiranjon Chowdhury, 41) Dilip Chowdhury, 42) Milon Biswas, 43) Shubol Biswas, 44) Brojendra Lal Chowdhury, 45) Gopal Chowdhury, 46) Derendra Chowdhury, 47) Ramoni Chowdhury, 48) Gournago Chowdhury, 49) Dayal Nath, 50) Rakhal Shingho, 51) Monmohan Chakraborti, 52) Shashanko Gosh, 53) Shukhendru Biswas Chowdhury, 54) Derandra Lal Chowdhury, 55) Borda Charan Chowdhury, 56) Monindra Lal Khastogir, 57) Bonkin Chandra Sen, 58) Shadon Gosh, 59) Gourango Chowdhury, 60) Dononjoy Koibarto, 61) Nolini Koibarto, 62) Natun Koibarti, 63) Shumit Ranjon Boruya, 64) Narayan Chowdhury, 65) Jotindra Lal Das, 66) Monindra Lal Das, 67) Romesh Chowdhury, 68) Doctor Shukhendru Bikash Datta, 69) Pradip Kanti Das, 70) Roy Mohan Chowdhury, 71) Lal Mohan Chowdhury, 72) Haripada Chowdhury, 73) Amot Chowdhury, 74) Amullya Chowdhury, 75) Doctor Purno Charan, 76) Modon Kumer Das and many others. As a result of this killing, the remaining people in order to protect their lives went to different places and many of them deported to India as refugee.
One 20th April, 1971 the Pakistani Army and the Razakars being supporters of Muslim League on the direction of you and your father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury jointly made arms attack in Sakhapura village being Hindu populated area under Boalkhali police station and indiscriminately fired and used bayonet in order to kill the people who had political and religious difference with you and they took shelter in the nearby jungle and paddy field and were killed. Later on it was found that names of 76 deceased persons could be identified who are 1) Foez Ahmed, 2) Jalal Ahmed, 3) Habildar Sekandar Ali, 4) Amir Hamja, 5) Abdul Hashim, 6) Abdul Matin, 7) Habibur Rahman, 8) Ahammad Safa, 9) Arobindo Roy, 10) Nikingo Roy, 11) Derandra Lal Dey, 12) Fanindra Lal Shil, 13) Nikunja Shil, 14) Pranhari Shil, 15) Nogendra Lal Shil, 16) Dibesh Chowdhury, 17) Gouranga Prashad Chowdhury, 18) Bishu Chowdhury, 19) Gouranga Nondi, 20) Topan Nondi, 21) Doctor Modushudon Chowdhury, 22) Ragu Nondon Chowdhury, 23) Neronjon Chowdhury, 24) Shukhendra Bikash Nag, 25) Rabindra Lal Chowdhury, 26) Upendra Lal Chowdhury, 27) Neronjon Chowdhury, 28) Bishsheswar Acharjo, 29) Doyal Hori Acharjo, 30) Kamini Shuklo Das, 31) Jogandra Lala Shuklo Das, 32) Debendra Sharma, 33) Jotindra Lal Sen, 34) Durzzati Boruya, 35) Pondit Romesh Chandra Boruya, 36) Raton Chowdhury, 37) Priotosh Chowdhury, 38) Chandon Chowdhury, 39) Nironjon Chowdhury, 40) Horiranjon Chowdhury, 41) Dilip Chowdhury, 42) Milon Biswas, 43) Shubol Biswas, 44) Brojendra Lal Chowdhury, 45) Gopal Chowdhury, 46) Derendra Chowdhury, 47) Ramoni Chowdhury, 48) Gournago Chowdhury, 49) Dayal Nath, 50) Rakhal Shingho, 51) Monmohan Chakraborti, 52) Shashanko Gosh, 53) Shukhendru Biswas Chowdhury, 54) Derandra Lal Chowdhury, 55) Borda Charan Chowdhury, 56) Monindra Lal Khastogir, 57) Bonkin Chandra Sen, 58) Shadon Gosh, 59) Gourango Chowdhury, 60) Dononjoy Koibarto, 61) Nolini Koibarto, 62) Natun Koibarti, 63) Shumit Ranjon Boruya, 64) Narayan Chowdhury, 65) Jotindra Lal Das, 66) Monindra Lal Das, 67) Romesh Chowdhury, 68) Doctor Shukhendru Bikash Datta, 69) Pradip Kanti Das, 70) Roy Mohan Chowdhury, 71) Lal Mohan Chowdhury, 72) Haripada Chowdhury, 73) Amot Chowdhury, 74) Amullya Chowdhury, 75) Doctor Purno Charan, 76) Modon Kumer Das and many others. As a result of this killing, the remaining people in order to protect their lives went to different places and many of them deported to India as refugee.
Thus you have committed an offence of genocide
as killing members of a political and religious group under section 3(2)(c)(i)
and deportation being crimes against humanity under section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 12
That on 5th May, 1971 at about 10.30am to 11.00am you led Pakistani Army in the village Jagot Mollo Para under police station Rowjan. In your presence the Pakistani Army opened fire and killed Bijoy Krishna Chowdhury Rakhal, Bhevotibushion Chowdhury and Harandra Lal Chowdhury with intent to destroy in whole or in part members of Hindu religious group which is genocide.
That on 5th May, 1971 at about 10.30am to 11.00am you led Pakistani Army in the village Jagot Mollo Para under police station Rowjan. In your presence the Pakistani Army opened fire and killed Bijoy Krishna Chowdhury Rakhal, Bhevotibushion Chowdhury and Harandra Lal Chowdhury with intent to destroy in whole or in part members of Hindu religious group which is genocide.
Thus you have committed the offence of section
3(2)(c)(i) of the Act.
Charge No 13
On 10th May, 1971 at about evening on the direction of you and your father, your associates Oli Ahmed a peace committee member with Pakistani Army arrived at Ghashi Majhirpar area as the people of that area were supporters of Awami League entered and looted the houses thereat being politically enimical, killed 6 (six) persons by gun shots and 2 (two) were seriously injured and at least five females were raped. The deceased persons were Nurul Alam, Abul Kalam, Jane Alam, Mia Kha, Ayeasa Khatun, Saleh Jahur and injured were Munshi Mia and Khairul Bashar. Many others while were being taken, on hearing a sound of gun shot, the army left and those persons were escaped.
On 10th May, 1971 at about evening on the direction of you and your father, your associates Oli Ahmed a peace committee member with Pakistani Army arrived at Ghashi Majhirpar area as the people of that area were supporters of Awami League entered and looted the houses thereat being politically enimical, killed 6 (six) persons by gun shots and 2 (two) were seriously injured and at least five females were raped. The deceased persons were Nurul Alam, Abul Kalam, Jane Alam, Mia Kha, Ayeasa Khatun, Saleh Jahur and injured were Munshi Mia and Khairul Bashar. Many others while were being taken, on hearing a sound of gun shot, the army left and those persons were escaped.
Thus you have committed an offence of genocide
as killing members of political or religious group under section 3(2)(c)(i),
genocide as causing serious bodily harm to members of a political group under
section 3(2)(c)(ii), persecution on political grounds and rape as crimes
against humanity under section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 14
On 20th May, 1971 at about 4.00pm you along with your accomplice Razakar members and Pakistani Army went to the house of Md. Hanif, a supporter of Awami League at the bank of Karta Digi of Patherhat under Roujan police station, and abducted him and took him to Goods Hill which was under your control. The wife of Md. Hanif and others tried to get release of Hanif with the assistance of Nazma Khatun, a relative of you but she informed that you have demanded Tk. 1,000/- for his release which could not be paid. She also informed that Md. Hanif was being tortured by you. Ultimately Hanif did not return and was killed.
On 20th May, 1971 at about 4.00pm you along with your accomplice Razakar members and Pakistani Army went to the house of Md. Hanif, a supporter of Awami League at the bank of Karta Digi of Patherhat under Roujan police station, and abducted him and took him to Goods Hill which was under your control. The wife of Md. Hanif and others tried to get release of Hanif with the assistance of Nazma Khatun, a relative of you but she informed that you have demanded Tk. 1,000/- for his release which could not be paid. She also informed that Md. Hanif was being tortured by you. Ultimately Hanif did not return and was killed.
Thus you have committed an offence of
abduction, confinement, torture and murder of said Hanif which is crimes
against humanity under section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 15
In the middle of May, 1971 Sheikh Maimum Ali Chowdhury while was in the house of captain Boktiar at Chandonpur and gossiping with his friends at about 3.00 to 3.30pm you along with Pakistani Army and some unknown persons in civilian dress came in 2 (two) trucks and surrounded the said house and arrested everybody present there. You then wanted to know who is Babu and as Sheikh Maimum Ali Chowdhury's nick name was Babu, he was taken to the nearby car and was taken to Goods Hill torture centre which was under the control of you and on your and your father's direction he was undressed and hands were tightened and he was severely beaten resulting his unconsciousness. Getting this news, his friends contracted the leaders of Razakars and peace committee and he was released.
In the middle of May, 1971 Sheikh Maimum Ali Chowdhury while was in the house of captain Boktiar at Chandonpur and gossiping with his friends at about 3.00 to 3.30pm you along with Pakistani Army and some unknown persons in civilian dress came in 2 (two) trucks and surrounded the said house and arrested everybody present there. You then wanted to know who is Babu and as Sheikh Maimum Ali Chowdhury's nick name was Babu, he was taken to the nearby car and was taken to Goods Hill torture centre which was under the control of you and on your and your father's direction he was undressed and hands were tightened and he was severely beaten resulting his unconsciousness. Getting this news, his friends contracted the leaders of Razakars and peace committee and he was released.
Thus you have committed an offence of
abduction, confinement and torture as crimes against humanity under section
3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 16
That on 7th June, 1971 Omar Faruk was kidnapped by Razakar Maksudur Rahman, you and your father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury with the help of Pakistani Army from Jamal Khan Road and was taken to Goods Hill torture centre which was under the control of you and your father and later on he was killed on your order.
That on 7th June, 1971 Omar Faruk was kidnapped by Razakar Maksudur Rahman, you and your father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury with the help of Pakistani Army from Jamal Khan Road and was taken to Goods Hill torture centre which was under the control of you and your father and later on he was killed on your order.
Thus you have committed as offence of
abduction, confinement, torture and murder as crimes against humanity under
section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 17
On 5th July, 1971 at about 7.00/7.30pm you along with 2/3 accomplices and members of Pakistani Army abducted Nizamuddin Ahmed, Shiraj and Wahid @ Junu Pagla from the house of Jahangir Alam Chowdhury of Hajari Lane, Kotowali Police Station and took them to Goods Hill torture centre under your control and they were taken to the drawing room of that house where your father was sitting. They were abused and on his direction, you and your accomplices started beating them with robber clotted cane and then tortured them for 2/3 hours and then kept them in the garage of the house and they were also tortured there and interrogated. They were kept there up to 8.00 to 9.00pm and then they were taken to Chittagong stadium. Where they found more 10/12 persons. Victim Wahid @ Junu was released at one time and the remaining Nazimuddin and Shiraj were kept in cantonment and interrogated. They were kept till independence.
On 5th July, 1971 at about 7.00/7.30pm you along with 2/3 accomplices and members of Pakistani Army abducted Nizamuddin Ahmed, Shiraj and Wahid @ Junu Pagla from the house of Jahangir Alam Chowdhury of Hajari Lane, Kotowali Police Station and took them to Goods Hill torture centre under your control and they were taken to the drawing room of that house where your father was sitting. They were abused and on his direction, you and your accomplices started beating them with robber clotted cane and then tortured them for 2/3 hours and then kept them in the garage of the house and they were also tortured there and interrogated. They were kept there up to 8.00 to 9.00pm and then they were taken to Chittagong stadium. Where they found more 10/12 persons. Victim Wahid @ Junu was released at one time and the remaining Nazimuddin and Shiraj were kept in cantonment and interrogated. They were kept till independence.
Thus you have committed as offence of
abduction, confinement and torture as crimes against humanity under section
3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 18
In the 3rd week of July, 1971 on one morning at about 5.30am a close associate of the father of you and Muslim League leader and chairman of Shikarpur Union Porishad late Shamsu Mia with 3 (three) accomplices went to the house of Abdul Motaleb Chowdhury in village Mohara under police station Chandgoan and kidnapped Md. Salahuddin and took him to the Goods Hill torture by a car of Pakistan Army and in presence of you he was brought down from the car and was taken to the first floor of the garage of the adjacent house by Pakistan Army and was interrogated and tortured and he became senseless and he was thrown out by the wooden shelf and fell in front of you and you asked in front of the Pakistani Military that no water came out from his eyes what type of torture has been done and then you tortured him and then he was kept in a room where in other tortured people were also there and one of them told that he will be taken out soon for murder and then you told that he will now get the result. Then you asked the Pakistani Army to take him out and kill him and he was taken out. Later, on giving bond, he was released.
In the 3rd week of July, 1971 on one morning at about 5.30am a close associate of the father of you and Muslim League leader and chairman of Shikarpur Union Porishad late Shamsu Mia with 3 (three) accomplices went to the house of Abdul Motaleb Chowdhury in village Mohara under police station Chandgoan and kidnapped Md. Salahuddin and took him to the Goods Hill torture by a car of Pakistan Army and in presence of you he was brought down from the car and was taken to the first floor of the garage of the adjacent house by Pakistan Army and was interrogated and tortured and he became senseless and he was thrown out by the wooden shelf and fell in front of you and you asked in front of the Pakistani Military that no water came out from his eyes what type of torture has been done and then you tortured him and then he was kept in a room where in other tortured people were also there and one of them told that he will be taken out soon for murder and then you told that he will now get the result. Then you asked the Pakistani Army to take him out and kill him and he was taken out. Later, on giving bond, he was released.
Thus you have committed an offence of
confinement, abduction and torture as crimes against humanity under section 3
(2) (a) of the Act.
Charge No 19
That on 27 July, 1971 at about 8.30pm the Pakistani Army arrested Nur Mohammad and Nur Alam from Mia Bari of Liakot Ali road under police station Hathajari and took them to Goods Hill torture centre after fastening their body with rope and got information as regards their another brother Mahabub Alam by torturing them and on that date at about 10.00 pm took the said Mahbub Alam from the tea stall of Saheb Mia to Goods Hill and tortured all the 3 (three) brothers. You took Tk. 10,000 (ten thousand) and released Nur Mohammad and Nur Alam from that torture centre on the next date but when they asked about their brother you told them that he is sick and can not go by walking. Later on Nur Mohammad came with a car and got information that his brother has been killed.
That on 27 July, 1971 at about 8.30pm the Pakistani Army arrested Nur Mohammad and Nur Alam from Mia Bari of Liakot Ali road under police station Hathajari and took them to Goods Hill torture centre after fastening their body with rope and got information as regards their another brother Mahabub Alam by torturing them and on that date at about 10.00 pm took the said Mahbub Alam from the tea stall of Saheb Mia to Goods Hill and tortured all the 3 (three) brothers. You took Tk. 10,000 (ten thousand) and released Nur Mohammad and Nur Alam from that torture centre on the next date but when they asked about their brother you told them that he is sick and can not go by walking. Later on Nur Mohammad came with a car and got information that his brother has been killed.
Thus you have committed an offence of murder,
abduction, confinement and torture as crimes against humanity under section
3(2)(a) of the Act.
Charge No 20
That on 27/28 July, 1971 at about 3/4 pm the Razakars arrested Aklash Mia from in front of shop of Khoka of village Kadur Khali under police station Boalkhali and took him to Boakhali CO office Razakar camp from there and he was taken to Goods Hill torture centre under control of you and he was tortured to death from there.
That on 27/28 July, 1971 at about 3/4 pm the Razakars arrested Aklash Mia from in front of shop of Khoka of village Kadur Khali under police station Boalkhali and took him to Boakhali CO office Razakar camp from there and he was taken to Goods Hill torture centre under control of you and he was tortured to death from there.
Thus you have committed an offence of
confinement, torture and murder as crimes against humanity under section 3 (2)
(a) of the Act.
Charge No 21
In the first week of August, 1971 Fazlul Haque Chowdhury the union parishad chairman of Binajuri under Rowjan police station was arrested by you and Pakistan Army and took him to the circuit house torture centre and he was tortured and then he was taken to the Goods Hill torture centre and tortured there and at one point after 3/4 days of torture, he was handed over to Rowjan police station and later on he was released and he became crippled and died on 10 September, 1987. During his life time he told many people regarding the occurrence and also his witnessing of torture and murder at Goods Hills torture centre.
In the first week of August, 1971 Fazlul Haque Chowdhury the union parishad chairman of Binajuri under Rowjan police station was arrested by you and Pakistan Army and took him to the circuit house torture centre and he was tortured and then he was taken to the Goods Hill torture centre and tortured there and at one point after 3/4 days of torture, he was handed over to Rowjan police station and later on he was released and he became crippled and died on 10 September, 1987. During his life time he told many people regarding the occurrence and also his witnessing of torture and murder at Goods Hills torture centre.
Thus you have committed an offence of
abduction, confinement and torture as crimes against humanity under section
3(2) (a) of the Act.
Charge No 22
That in the 2nd week of August, 1971 at about 9.00 pm you and your accomplices of Al-Shams Bahini abducted Md. Nuru Chowdhury from the house of Abdul Hakim Chowdhury of Sadar Ghat, police station Double Morning and took him to Goods Hill and he was tortured there and he lost his conscious. On the next date he was taken to Chittagong Commerce College centre under your leadership to appear in the HSC examination but the college authority denied to allow him to sit in the examination as being injured and you admitted him into Chittagong medical college hospital for treatment. You collected Tk. 6,500/- from the father of Nur Alam Chowdhury and then released him.
That in the 2nd week of August, 1971 at about 9.00 pm you and your accomplices of Al-Shams Bahini abducted Md. Nuru Chowdhury from the house of Abdul Hakim Chowdhury of Sadar Ghat, police station Double Morning and took him to Goods Hill and he was tortured there and he lost his conscious. On the next date he was taken to Chittagong Commerce College centre under your leadership to appear in the HSC examination but the college authority denied to allow him to sit in the examination as being injured and you admitted him into Chittagong medical college hospital for treatment. You collected Tk. 6,500/- from the father of Nur Alam Chowdhury and then released him.
Thus you have committed an offence of
abduction, confinement and torture as crimes against humanity under section 3
(2) (a) of the Act.
Charge No 23
That on 2nd September, 1971 at about 6.15 to 6.30 pm., the accomplices of you tortured on Hindu employee of M. Salimullah to which M. Salimullah objected and he was threatened for that then they came with a team of Sindhi Police and took M Salimullah to the Goods Hill torture centre under your control and tortured him. After torturing for the whole night, he was released on the next morning.
That on 2nd September, 1971 at about 6.15 to 6.30 pm., the accomplices of you tortured on Hindu employee of M. Salimullah to which M. Salimullah objected and he was threatened for that then they came with a team of Sindhi Police and took M Salimullah to the Goods Hill torture centre under your control and tortured him. After torturing for the whole night, he was released on the next morning.
Thus, you have committed an offence of
abduction, confinement and torture as crimes against humanity as mentioned in
section 3(2)(a) of the Act.
Thus you have committed the offences, under
different provisions of section 3(2) of the Act, punishable under section 20(2)
of the Act and within the cognisance of this Tribunal. And we hereby direct you
to be tried by this Tribunal on the said charges. You have heard and understood
the aforesaid charges.
Monday, July 16, 2012 3:36 PM
Subject: "70 Hindus killed in one day" The Daily Star, Dhaka
Subject: "70 Hindus killed in one day" The Daily Star, Dhaka
Up to 70 Hindus killed in one day
7th prosecution witness testifies against SQ Chy
Staff Correspondent
A witness to the genocide committed during the Liberation War in his description of wartime brutality yesterday said he had seen bodies of two pregnant women with their half-born babies.
Abbas Uddin Ahmed, seventh prosecution witness in a case against BNP lawmaker and war crimes accused Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 how brutally the Pakistani occupation force unleashed terror on the Hindus of Unsotturpara village in 1971.
About 60-70 Hindus of Unsotturpara in Rauzan in Chittagong were killed in a raid by Pakistani army on April 14, 1971, Abbas said, adding, he lost his friend in that attack.
The witness said he had heard from locals that such killings were also committed in Kundeshwari and Jagot Mollo Para and Salahuddin Quader was involved, but he did not see the BNP leader at that time.
Abbas, 62, chairman of East Gujra Union Parishad of Rauzan, used to live with his family at Unsotturpara village during the War. The majority of people of that village were Hindus in 1971.
Residents of Unsotturpara irrespective of age and race took part in the Liberation War, Abbas said, adding, he used to supply kedgeree for the freedom fighters in Chittagong.
Locals had set up a check post putting barricade on the road for checking vehicles in Unsotturpara, he added.
Abbas said the erstwhile Muslim League's chief Fazlul Quader Chowdhury became furious over the check post while crossing the village in a Volkswagen car as he and his three sons including Salahuddin Quader and Giasuddin Quader had to get down.
"In the evening that day [April 11, 1971], Punjabis patrolled the engineering college area. That's why many people left the place in fear," said Abbas.
The next day, the then chairman of Pahartali union Mofdul Hossain asked Niranjan Dutta Gupta, who had good family relations with Abbas, to call back the Hindus, the witness continued. Assured of no harm, Niranjan had called back the Hindus, Abbas added.
"On April 13, 1971 at about 4:00pm, Mofdul, Piaru and Burma Yousuf asked the villagers to gather at Hitoishi Mohajon's house. "Our leader will talk with you," Abbas quoted one of the three as saying. They however did not mention the name of the leader, he added.
"My friend Babul Mali rushed to my house. He told me that Punjabis came and asked them to gather at Hitoishi Mohajon's house. All Hindus of the village were going there," said the witness.
Abbas and Babul went to Unsotturpara School and saw Pakistani army going from north to south in a couple of cars. There were two civilians in the cars, but the witness could not identify them. Abbas and Babul then decided to move to their respective houses. "As I moved 200 yards further, I heard a loud bang. I looked back and saw Babul falling on the ground. A few moments later I heard the sound of rapid fire from the south," he said.
The next day Abbas learned that Niranjan had committed suicide as he could not bear the remorse that the Hindus, who were killed the previous day, had returned home at his request.
On April 15, Abbas along with some of his friends went to Unsotturpara. Abbas said, "At first I saw the body of my friend Babul and his father in a stream. I went to the house of Hitoishi Mohajan where I saw 60-70 bodies." He said he buried the bodies with the help of some locals in a burrow.
As his deposition was made, the tribunal asked the defence to cross-examine the witness. Defence counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena completed his cross-examination by asking two questions.
Ahsanul Huq asked him if it was true that Fazlul Quader and his sons did not go to Unsotturpara.
That is not true, replied Abbas. "Is it not true that you did not hear people saying that Salahuddin Quader was involved in the killing?" asked Ahsanul. Abbas again said that it is not true. Salahuddin Quader, who is facing 23 specific charges of crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, was present at the tribunal.
The proceeding of the case was adjourned until July 23. Earlier, the prosecution read out the opening statement in another war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami at the
tribunal. Prosecutors Golam Arif Tipu and Altaf Uddin Ahmed read out the statement. In the statement, Altaf said Nizami who was chief of Al-Badr, incited people to join the anti-liberation force by holding rallies during the War.
Following completion of the opening statement, the tribunal fixed July 22 for recording deposition of witnesses against Nizami. The Jamaat leader was also present at the dock of the tribunal.
On May 28, the tribunal framed 16 charges against Nizami for his alleged war crimes.
7th prosecution witness testifies against SQ Chy
Staff Correspondent
A witness to the genocide committed during the Liberation War in his description of wartime brutality yesterday said he had seen bodies of two pregnant women with their half-born babies.
Abbas Uddin Ahmed, seventh prosecution witness in a case against BNP lawmaker and war crimes accused Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 how brutally the Pakistani occupation force unleashed terror on the Hindus of Unsotturpara village in 1971.
About 60-70 Hindus of Unsotturpara in Rauzan in Chittagong were killed in a raid by Pakistani army on April 14, 1971, Abbas said, adding, he lost his friend in that attack.
The witness said he had heard from locals that such killings were also committed in Kundeshwari and Jagot Mollo Para and Salahuddin Quader was involved, but he did not see the BNP leader at that time.
Abbas, 62, chairman of East Gujra Union Parishad of Rauzan, used to live with his family at Unsotturpara village during the War. The majority of people of that village were Hindus in 1971.
Residents of Unsotturpara irrespective of age and race took part in the Liberation War, Abbas said, adding, he used to supply kedgeree for the freedom fighters in Chittagong.
Locals had set up a check post putting barricade on the road for checking vehicles in Unsotturpara, he added.
Abbas said the erstwhile Muslim League's chief Fazlul Quader Chowdhury became furious over the check post while crossing the village in a Volkswagen car as he and his three sons including Salahuddin Quader and Giasuddin Quader had to get down.
"In the evening that day [April 11, 1971], Punjabis patrolled the engineering college area. That's why many people left the place in fear," said Abbas.
The next day, the then chairman of Pahartali union Mofdul Hossain asked Niranjan Dutta Gupta, who had good family relations with Abbas, to call back the Hindus, the witness continued. Assured of no harm, Niranjan had called back the Hindus, Abbas added.
"On April 13, 1971 at about 4:00pm, Mofdul, Piaru and Burma Yousuf asked the villagers to gather at Hitoishi Mohajon's house. "Our leader will talk with you," Abbas quoted one of the three as saying. They however did not mention the name of the leader, he added.
"My friend Babul Mali rushed to my house. He told me that Punjabis came and asked them to gather at Hitoishi Mohajon's house. All Hindus of the village were going there," said the witness.
Abbas and Babul went to Unsotturpara School and saw Pakistani army going from north to south in a couple of cars. There were two civilians in the cars, but the witness could not identify them. Abbas and Babul then decided to move to their respective houses. "As I moved 200 yards further, I heard a loud bang. I looked back and saw Babul falling on the ground. A few moments later I heard the sound of rapid fire from the south," he said.
The next day Abbas learned that Niranjan had committed suicide as he could not bear the remorse that the Hindus, who were killed the previous day, had returned home at his request.
On April 15, Abbas along with some of his friends went to Unsotturpara. Abbas said, "At first I saw the body of my friend Babul and his father in a stream. I went to the house of Hitoishi Mohajan where I saw 60-70 bodies." He said he buried the bodies with the help of some locals in a burrow.
As his deposition was made, the tribunal asked the defence to cross-examine the witness. Defence counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena completed his cross-examination by asking two questions.
Ahsanul Huq asked him if it was true that Fazlul Quader and his sons did not go to Unsotturpara.
That is not true, replied Abbas. "Is it not true that you did not hear people saying that Salahuddin Quader was involved in the killing?" asked Ahsanul. Abbas again said that it is not true. Salahuddin Quader, who is facing 23 specific charges of crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, was present at the tribunal.
The proceeding of the case was adjourned until July 23. Earlier, the prosecution read out the opening statement in another war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami at the
tribunal. Prosecutors Golam Arif Tipu and Altaf Uddin Ahmed read out the statement. In the statement, Altaf said Nizami who was chief of Al-Badr, incited people to join the anti-liberation force by holding rallies during the War.
Following completion of the opening statement, the tribunal fixed July 22 for recording deposition of witnesses against Nizami. The Jamaat leader was also present at the dock of the tribunal.
On May 28, the tribunal framed 16 charges against Nizami for his alleged war crimes.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Brutally
tortured at SQ Chy's residence
Ctg businessman tells war crimes tribunal of his harrowing
experience
A prosecution witness
yesterday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he was brutally
tortured at Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's Goods Hill residence in Chittagong
during the Liberation War.
Mohammad Salimullah, a
businessman of Chittagong, in his 90-minute testimony told the court how he was
abducted on September 2, 1971, taken to the house, tortured and kept hostage in
a garage where he would have died had a Sindhi member of the police force not
given him water.
"I thought they would
kill me eventually. I had lost all hope," said the 68-year-old witness. "At one point, the only thing in my mind
was my then four-month-old daughter. I prayed to the almighty to protect her
and keep her safe," Salimullah said in an emotion-choked voice.
He is the second
prosecution witness in a case against Salauddin Quader regarding the BNP
leader's alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the
Liberation War. Salimullah, who owned the Muslim Press in Chittagong, said on
the evening of September 2, 1971, he was on his way to Goods Hill to appeal for
the release of his two Hindu employees.
He had hired a house from a local Hindu person to arrange
accommodation for his Hindu employees, who had been facing harassment by the
Pakistani soldiers on their way to work at the printing press.
The two employees -- Dawal and Swapan -- were abducted by
the Al Shams force on false charges.
The notorious Al Shams
force, which collaborated with the Pakistani army and actively opposed the
country's liberation, used to abduct pro-independence people from different
parts of Chittagong at the diktat of Salauddin Quader during the war, the
witness said. The hostages were rounded up at the Goods Hill residence of
Salauddin Quader's family, he added.
While Salimullah was
on his way, the Al Shams force and a group of "Sindhi police"
abducted him from Chittagong's Obhoymitraghat Road. Two "Sindhi
police" members detained him, forced him into a car and drove him to Goods
Hill along with a 70-year-old "Khalifa", the witness said.After reaching the house, Hamidul Kabir Chowdhury Khoka, Chittagong commander of Al Shams force, gave the soldiers an order in Urdu. "Sala Malaun ka sarfarasti karta hai. Uska pa upar karo, ser niche koro" [he advocates for the Hindus, put his legs up and head down] was the order.
Salimullah was then
hung upside down from a pillar in the yard of Goods Hill.
"They beat me up
all over my body with the back of their rifles," he said.
Tortured, he and the "Khalifa" were taken to
the garage of Goods Hill house and were further tortured there.
The garages in the
house were used as "torture cells", where the abducted persons were
held captive and tortured, said Salimullah.
"While I was in
the garage, I heard groans coming from two or three adjacent garages," he
said.
Extremely thirsty,
Salimullah slept through the night although he remembers seeing the headlights
of a car outside the garage between 12:00 midnight and 1:00am."Very early in the morning, I heard gunshots outside," he said. "Apparently, the sons of Fazlul Quader Chowdhury used to receive training in shooting every morning." During that hour, they also used to kill people who needed to be killed, he added.
Salimullah told the tribunal he heard the sounds of a Sindhi police member reciting from the Quran in a very sad tone. That Sindhi police member later passed him a mug of water, which he was taking to the toilet. "I regained my life. That water perhaps saved my life that day."
At 8:30am, Al Shams commander Hamidul Kabir Chowdhury Khoka opened the garage door and embraced Salimullah, asking for forgiveness. He later found his nephew Mohammad Ishak and a friend named Shafiqur Rahman waiting outside, who asked him to go with them.
Salimullah insisted that he would not leave without the "Khalifa" who had been tortured along with him. The Al Shams commander, however, refused to let the "Khalifa" go. "I never saw 'Khalifa' or my two employees ever again. I believe they were murdered."
While he was being taken outside, Salimullah saw Saifuddin Quader Chowdhury, youngest brother of Salauddin Quader, standing beside the stairs. "My friend Shafiqur Rahman went towards him and angrily said the fact that they formed the Al Shams force and were torturing innocent people would not yield good results."
According to the
witness, the Chittagong Al Shams force was comprised of Khoka, Syed Wahidul
Alam, Jafar alias Mahabub and Saifuddin Quader Chowdhury. The force took hold of the house
of a Runu Babu on Chittagong's Obhoymitraghat Road, and conducted their
activities under the supervision of Salauddin Quader and leadership of
Salauddin Quader's father Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, the witness added. "They
used to travel in a red jeep provided by Fazlul Quader Chowdhury and leave the
house at around 8:00am or 9:00am," said Salimullah.
They used to go to Satkania, Boalkhali, Patia, Raozan and
other areas in Chittagong, and based on information from "sources",
they abducted independence-seeking people, and torched and looted the houses of
the Hindus. "If they saw any
beautiful young girls, they would abduct them and bring them along," added
the witness.The abducted people used to be tortured throughout the night, and the girls were handed over to the Pakistani army, he said, adding that many of the captives were killed and their bodies thrown into the Karnaphuli river from Kalurghat Bridge. He also told the court that in 2010 he identified the garage where he had been tortured and the road from where he had been abducted and showed it to the investigation officer.
"The garage used
to have a wooden staircase beside it. I did not see it when I visited it this
time," said Salimullah, adding, "I also saw some more tin-shed
garages, which were not there when I was held captive.
"I want justice.
I have waited for this very day for 40 years," he told the court. The
witness said the Al Badr, Al Shams and Razakar forces formed two separate
Shanti Committees in Chittagong during the War.
The Shanti Committee
was formed to collaborate with the Pakistani occupation army and actively
oppose the Liberation War movement. Salauddin Quader and Fazlul Quader
Chowdhury led one of the two committees, the witness added.
The other committee
was led by Mahmudun Nabi Chowdhury, he added. At one point during his
testimony, the witness exchanged heated words with defence counsel Ahsanul Haq
Hena.
During the exchange,
which involved the witness, defence, prosecution and the tribunal, Salimullah
addressed the defence counsel as "Hena saheb" and commented that he
was "advocating" for a war criminal.
Trying to keep the
situation under control, Tribunal Chairman Justice Md Nizamul Huq said:
"He is not an expert witness. That is why there are certain
problems.""I know him very well. He is quite an expert," was the answer from Ahsanul Haq.
The defence, which
began cross-examining the witness yesterday, will resume it today.
Salauddin Quader was
produced before the court yesterday. He is facing 23 specific charges of crimes
against humanity he allegedly committed during the Liberation War.He is among four Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP leaders facing similar charges at the tribunal-1, the first of the two courts formed to deal with such crimes.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
War Crimes Trial
15-16 Hindus
murdered
Third witness testifies against SQ Chy
Staff Correspondent
The third prosecution
witness against Salauddin Quader Chowdhury told International Crimes Tribunal-1
that he had heard from a freedom fighter that Salauddin and his men killed
15-16 Hindus at Unosatturpara of Chittagong during the Liberation War.
Witness Sirajul Islam
said one Captain Karim on May 21, 1971, told him how the murders were
committed. Karim was trying to recruit Sirajul as a freedom fighter. He claimed
that the captain was hiding in a bush near a marsh along the road to Kaptai when
he witnessed the murders.
He also told the court
that a freedom fighter, who has now passed away, had told him that he had seen
Salauddin kill Nutan Chandra Singh of Kundeshwari Oushadhalaya in Chittagong.
Testifying against the
lawmaker from Chittagong, the prosecution witness also claimed that Salauddin
and his associates had abducted an Awami League leader and his son from
Hathazari of Chittagong in April 1971.
Sheikh Mozaffar Ahmed
and his son Sheikh Alamgir were picked up from Tin Rastar Mor of Hathazari and
were later killed. Their bodies were never found, the witness claimed.
The 64-year-old
witness began giving his testimony on Thursday in the case against Salauddin,
who is facing 23 counts of crimes against humanity charges at the tribunal.
Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Nizamul Huq, yesterday finished recording the
220-minute deposition of Sirajul Islam alias Shiru Bangalee. The defence began
the cross-examination yesterday but the proceedings were adjourned after just
one question.
In his testimony,
Sirajul said on April 13, 1971, Salauddin along with Pakistani army personnel
led a killing mission in the predominantly Hindu areas of Gahira, Sultanpur and
Jagotmandal in Chittagong.
The Pakistan army and
its collaborators shot and killed people of different religions
indiscriminately and looted their homes, he said.
He said Salauddin's
father Fazlul Quader Chowdhury had lost the 1970 general election to a young
Awami Leaguer by a considerable margin. Fazlul's family was unhappy and they
thought that the Hindu community's votes had cost Fazlul the election.
Salauddin and Fazlul
led mass killings, looting and repression on women and forced them to leave the
country to assert their dominance in the area, said Sirajul, who learnt this
from Capt Karim.
Sirajul told the
tribunal that in Khagrachhari he had met Bibhuti Bhushan, who was a freedom
fighter from Raozan of Chittagong. Bibhuti has passed away.Sirajul said Bibhuti told him that he had climbed up a tree in Raozan, while he was going to Hathazari from Rangamati, as he had seen a convoy of Pakistani troops approaching. The convoy was moving toward Kundeshwari Oushadhalaya, a herbal medicine store.
The Pakistani soldiers
dragged the owner of the store, Nutan Chandra Singh, out and interrogated him, said
Sirajul, quoting Bibhuti. After the interrogation, the army left, he said.
“As Salauddin Quader
found his plan unsuccessful, he returned to the store a few moments later with
two or three soldiers,” said the witness quoting Bibhuti.
“Shoot him,” was the
order from Salauddin Quader, who also shot a few bullets into Nutan for good
measure, Sirajul said.
Bibhuti witnessed the
whole incident from the tree branch he was sitting on.
Sirajul said he along
with other freedom fighters had begun capturing collaborators from October 27,
1971. They caught a close aide to Fazlul, Haji Abdus Sattar alias Sattar Haji,
during the Liberation War.
“On interrogation, I
came to know that Salauddin saheb was injured by a bullet on September 20
during a guerrilla attack but managed to escape alive while his driver was
killed,” he said, adding, “Sattar showed me the September 21, 1971, issue of
the daily Azadi as I had refused to believe his statement.”
Sirajul said the Al
Badr force, led by Mir Kashem Ali, used Hotel Dalim in Chittagong as a torture
cell.
Sirajul said he had
sworn to a martyred freedom fighter that he would kill Kashem Ali but could not
keep his promise as Kashem went into hiding after November 15, 1971.
The Al Badr, formed to
collaborate with the Pakistani army, actively opposed the country's
independence.
Salauddin's defence
will resume cross-examining the witness today.
Meanwhile, Fakhrul
Islam, a defence counsel of Salauddin, yesterday responded to the show cause
notice the tribunal had served on him earlier.
The notice was issued
on May 15 against him in connection with calling prosecution witness Prof
Anisuzzaman a liar before the media.
According to the
document submitted before the court yesterday, Fakhrul apologised
unconditionally and sought mercy.
Tribunal-1 fixed
Thursday for hearing on his application.
The tribunal also
recorded the cross-examination of the investigation officer in the case against
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee for the 12th day yesterday. The
cross-examination will continue today.
The Jamaat leader is
facing 20 counts of crimes against humanity at the tribunal.
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