‘Biswajit was hacked, then beaten’

Islam deposed on Thursday at Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 as the last witness in the sensational case that caused widespread outrage.

After his deposition, the tribunal’s acting judge Md Nuruzzaman set Oct 1 for his cross-examination by the defence.

Once the counterarguments of both parties end, the verdict will come in the case, in which 21 leaders and activists of Jagannath University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League are accused.

Biswajit, a tailor, was attacked and hacked by activists of ruling Awami League’s student front Bangladesh Chhatra League on Dec 9 last year near Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka during a blockade of the opposition.

He died undergoing treatment at Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital, better known as Mitford Hospital.

Describing the events of that day, Tajul Islam said, “Activists of Jagannath University’s Chhatra League unit took out an anti-blockade procession around 9am that day. Several handmade bombs exploded when it reached the northern side of the Bahadur Shah Park.”

“Chhatra League activists from the procession shouted ‘grab him, grab him’ and chased Biswajit up to the Intensive Dental Care’s first floor. There, accused Shakil, Yunus and Rajon hacked him with machete and swords.”

“Then he was brought to the ground floor where the other accused including Emdad, Nahid and Kaium beat him with metal rods and sticks.”

Rickshawpuller Ripon Sarker had taken Das to Mitford Hospital in critical condition only to be declared dead by doctors there.

Sarker had testified to the same court once before. The state counsel in the case, SM Rafiqul Islam, expressed concerns over the witnesses’ security after Sarker was allegedly beaten up by police several days ago after he had testified. He had identified the eight arrested of the 21 suspects in the murder case.

Police have not arrested most of the accused in the high-profile case even 10 months into the killing. Those who have been arrested and currently behind bars are Rafiqul Islam Shakil, Mahfuzur Rahman Nahid, Emdadul Haque Emdad, GM Rasheduzzaman Shawon, AHM Kibria, Saiful Islam, Kaium Mia and Golam Mostofa. They were brought to the court on Thursday. Of the arrestees, Emdad, Shakil, Shawon and Nahid have given confessional statement to the judge. Those who are still absconding are Rajon Talukder, Yunus Ali, Obaidur Qader Tahsin, Azizur Rahman, Alauddin, Imran Hossain, Mir Nur-e Alam Limon, Al-Amin, Rafiqul Islam, Kamrul Hasan, Tarik Bin Johor Tomal, Monirul Haque Pavel and Mosharraf Hossain.