Fulbarhia Awami League MP Moslem is 'war criminal', Kader Siddique alleges

Decorated freedom fighter Kader Siddique has demanded trial of the Awami League leader Moslem Uddin, the MP of Mymensingh's Fulbarhia, alleging that he is a war criminal.

Speaking at a press conference in Mymensingh on Friday after visiting the site of clashes between protesters and police, which left a teacher and a pedestrian killed on Nov 27, Kader also held Moslem responsible for the incident.

Moslem, the president of Fulbarhia Upazila Awami League, has denied the allegation of war crimes, saying he took part in the writing of Bangladesh's Constitution after the Liberation War.

Speaking to journalists at Mymensingh Press Club about the Nov 27 clashes, Krishak, Sramik, Janata League President Kader said, "The current MP of Fulbarhia should not have done this."

"The gentleman did not take part in Liberation War. Documents prove that he was at the side of the Pakistanis during the war. He did everything necessary (to help the Pakistani forces)," he added.

Called 'Bangabir' for his bravery during the Liberation War, Siddique said he and his fellow fighters had to fight the enemies for a long time in Fulbarhia's Rangamati in 1971.

"I know Fulbarhia very well. I came here several times during the War.”

"The honourable MP (incumbent), whom we failed to arrest at that time, is involved in this heinous crime (deaths of two people in 'police brutality')," he said.

Bir Uttam Siddique formed the 'Kaderia Bahini' to fight the Pakistani occupation in Tangail and adjacent areas during the War.

Asked about MP Moslem’s role during the War, Mymensingh City Muktijoddha Command Council unit Member Secretary Selim Sarker made similar allegation like that of Siddique’s.

"Moslem Uddin went to India for training in 1971. He surrendered to the Pakistani forces when he returned. He later did whatever the Pakistani forces did," Sarker said.

Siddique praised the government for conducting war crimes trial and demanded Moslem be tried for 'war crimes'.

"I've come to the Mymensingh Press Club only to say that I want to be the key witness, the first witness if Moslem Uddin is taken to the court as war criminal," he said.

When contacted for his reaction to Siddique's comments, the MP said, "I was a member of the Gana Parishad in 1972. I have signed the original Constitution as one of the writers. The signature is numbered 283. It is preserved in the National Museum."

"Can a writer of the Constitution be a war criminal?" he asked.

"Kader Siddique is a great warrior. He should be careful while making such comments," he added.

'I would have killed cops'

Before speaking at the press conference, Siddique addressed a rally at Fulbarhia Degree College. A teacher of the college was killed in police baton charge when he joined the agitating students to demand nationalisation of the institution on Nov 27.

Siddique, once a leader of Awami League, criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for 'turning the country into a police state'.

"Do you (Hasina) know why police have the courage to do excess? Because you became a leader without vote," he said.

"They have killed our teacher. I would have killed three policemen by splitting their legs if I were a student of the college. 

"But I haven't come here to fight. I want peace in the country no matter whether Sheikh Hasina or Khaleda Zia (BNP chairperson) can bring it," he added.

He also warned Hasina about possible attempts on her life by the 'people close to her'.

"They tried to kill you by cutting oil line of your plane," he said, referring to the emergency landing of an aircraft carrying the prime minister to Hungary earlier this week.