Another PW links them to Netrakona killing

Another prosecution witness yesterday linked alleged Razakars Obaidul Haque Taher and Ataur Rahman Nani to the killing of one Dabir in Netrakona town during the Liberation War in 1971.

Abu Bakar Siddique, a freedom fighter from Moujebali of Netrakona sadar upazila, told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the two also tortured one of his paternal uncles at a torture camp in the town.

Bakar, the 14th prosecution witness in the case against Taher and Nani, said his uncle had seen Dabir inside the camp before he was shot dead by Taher and Nani on October 4, 1971.

However, his uncle was released later, he said.

Earlier, the 13th prosecution witness, Abdul Hamid, said Taher and Nani killed Dabir.

Bakar, 63, said he was a college student in 1971 and both Taher and Nani were his friends since 1963.

As the Pakistani army entered Netrakona town in late April in 1971, the anti-liberation Peace Committee and the Razakar Bahini were formed in Netrakona and Taher was appointed Razakar commander while Nani and many other joined the force, he said.

When Razakars started committing atrocities in the localities, he went to India and

took training before joining the Liberation War, said Bakar.

He learned that Razakars abducted his friend Dabir, who was also friends with Taher and Nani, and took him to the district rest house, a torture camp, before killing him on the night of October 4.

Bakar said when he returned home after the war, his uncle Badir Uddin said Razakars also abducted him and took him to the rest house where he saw Dabir.

His uncle, who was a night guard at Netrakona Girls School, told him that Taher and Nani tortured him and they shot Dabir dead at night, said Bakar.

His uncle was released later with the help of then headmistress of the school, he added.

Bakar said they learned in late November that Razakars killed 27 people including Kamini Babu, near Trimohoni Bridge in Netrakona. He, however, did not mention the killers' names.

Defence counsel Abdus Sobhan Tarafder completed his cross-examination before the three-member tribunal led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim adjourned the proceedings until August 30.

Taher and Nani face six charges but they pleaded not guilty.