Latif's own witness says he admitted to war crimes

One of two defence witnesses yesterday testified that Abdul Latif Talukder had admitted to him of committing crimes against humanity while the other heard that Latif had joined the Razakar force during the 1971 Liberation War.

Meanwhile, Satya Ranjan Roy, the last prosecution witness and investigation officer, testified finding Forkan Mollik to be a Razakar of Patuakhali and being involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.

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The defence began cross-examining him and International Crimes Tribunal-2 adjourned proceedings until today.

LATIF'S CASE

Formed by the then Jamaat-e-Islami leader AKM Yusuf, the Razakar Bahini collaborated with the Pakistani occupation army as its auxiliary force in the killing of 30 lakh people and rape of two lakh women.

"Many were also involved in crimes against humanity but why the case is filed only against me?" Amjad Sheikh quoted Latif as saying 10 months ago. Both are inhabitants of Sholar Kola village in Bagerhat.

He said Latif also claimed of being implicated by one Hobi Shikder who had cheated his son-in-law of money taken with false promises of sending the latter abroad.

Forkan Mollik

Latif and some others used to provide food to people taking shelter in Rashik Lal High School in a neighbouring village after the Liberation War began, said Amjad. After three to five months, Latif was taken away by Razakars and the people fled as Razakars became active in the locality, he added.

Seven to eight months after victory was achieved, Amjad met Latif. "When I inquired about his capture by Razakars, he told me that I need not know about the matter," said Amjad, adding he did not ask anything further as Latif was elder to him.

Sardar Abdul Mannan's deposition was similar. During cross-examination by prosecutor Syed Haidar Ali, he said, "I do not know whether Latif was a Razakar but later I heard he had joined the Razakar force."

International Crimes Tribunal-1 adjourned proceedings until today. Latif is one of three alleged Bagerhat Razakars facing seven charges for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and genocide.