Investigation agency to submit war crimes charges against 3 Moulvibazar suspects

Three suspects from Moulvibazar’s Borolekha have been accused of war crimes in 1971 in a final report by the International Crimes Tribunal’s investigation agency.

The report accuses the three -- 64-year-old Abdul Aziz aka Habul, 63-year-old Abdul Matil and 64-year-old Md Abdul Mannan aka Monay -- of involvement in five incidents of war crimes that include kidnapping, torture, looting, arson, rape and mass murder.

The investigation agency’s Coordinator, Abdul Hannan Khan told a press briefing on Monday that the report would be handed over to the prosecution later in the day.

The investigation into the case was started on Oct 16, 2014 by the investigation agency’s Assistant Director Md Shahjahan Kabir.

Khan said the final report that runs to 250 pages, includes testimony from 40 individuals, 89 pages of documents, and has been published in four volumes.

The prosecution has named 29 witnesses in the case, said Hannan Khan.

Three suspects

According to the investigation agency, in 1971 Abdul Aziz aka Habul and Md Abdul Matin underwent training with Bengali Freedom Fighters in India.

They then fled to Borolekha, where they surrendered to the Pakistani army and joined the Razakar forces in the area.

Before his arrest on Mar 2 Abdul Aziz was involved in politics as a member of the BNP. The investigation agency said Matin, who was involved with the Jamaat-e-Islami, was still at large.    

According to the investigation agency, the third suspect Abdul Mannan aka Monay, had been involved with the Jamaat's the then student affiliate, Islami Chhatra Sangha.

During the Liberation War Mannan became a member of the Borolekha area Peace Committee and became part of the Razakar forces. Security forces arrested him on Mar 2.

Five allegations

First allegation: On May 29, 1971 the three suspects kidnapped National Awami Party leaders Harendralal Das aka Haridas, Matilal Das, Nagendra Kumar Das and Srinibash Das from Gholsha village in the Borolekha area. After being tortured for three days at the Borolekha CO Office Razakar Camp, the victims were taken to the Juribazar killing grounds where Harendralal, Matilal and Nagendra, were killed. Srinibash Das managed to escape and returned home two days later.

Second allegation: Near the end of Oct 1971, the suspects kidnapped Safia Khatun and Abdul Khalek from Kechorigul village in Borolekha and took them to the Keramat Nagar Tea Garden Razakar Camp. There the suspects repeatedly raped Safia Khatun. Safia Khatun was rescued from the CO Office bunker on Dec 6 after Freedom Fighters took Borolekha.  

Third allegation: On Nov 13, 1971 the suspects attacked and looted the home of Freedom Fighter Moin Commander in Borolekha’s Pakhiakhali village. The Razakars then kidnapped Moin’s father Bachir Uddin, Nechar Ali, Moin’s brother Ayub Ali and Nephew Harich Ali and took them to the Borolekha CO Office Razakar Camp, where they were detained and tortured. The group was rescued on Dec 6 after the Freedom Fighters captured Borolekha.

Fourth allegation: On Nov 14, 1971 the suspects attacked and looted the home of Freedom Fighter Mastakin Commander in Borolekha’s Hinai Nagar village. They also set fire to three tin buildings. Unable to find Mastakin, they kidnapped his brother Motsin Ali and took him to the Borolekha CO Office Razakar Camp for torture. Motsin’s leg was broken during the torture.

Fifth allegation: On Nov 17, 1971 the suspects captured Freedom Fighter Monir Ali in Borolekha’s Dimai Bazar area. The suspects then attempted to capture Freedom Fighter Habib Commander by attacking and looting their home. The suspects then kidnapped Monir Ali and his wife Afia Begum and took them to the Keramat Nagar Tea Garden Razakar Camp. They later raped Afia Begum at the camp.