Witnesses now their target

Witnesses to the killing of freedom fighter (FF) Abdus Salam Khan continued facing death threat from the chairman of Saturia union parishad in Rajapur upazila and his men.

One of the witnesses, Mukta Akhter, who has already taken shelter in a relative's house following the threat, made the allegation by sending mobile short message service (SMS) to different people including journalists.

Feeling insecure, fatherless Mukta, a Kindergarten schoolteacher, and her family consisting of six members, are in great danger as she is the only bread earner of her family. 

In the SMS, the victim urged the prime minister to ensure her security and if she and her family do not get any help in this regard, she will be compelled to commit suicide.

On November 14, the 65-year-old FF was allegedly beaten up by Shah Alam, president of Ward-6 of Awami Jubo League in Saturia union, and then again by Mostafizur Rahman Bachchu, a member of the union parishad. Later, he died at his house due to the torture.

Mukta and her younger brother were eye witnesses to the torture from beginning to the end, said locals.

On the day of the incident, Mukta was called by UP Chairman Siddikur Rahman to his house, humiliated her and threatened her not to tell anything or any name to others about the torture, said the victim.

Abdus slam was tortured before more than 100 witnesses but none dares to say anything to others due to the threat by the chairman, said some locals of Amtola Bazar.      

"The chairman's men also came to our house at Fultola in the union on Saturday and threatened my family with death," said Mukta.

Yesterday morning, Mukta was called by the officer-in-charge of Rajapur Police Station (PS) for her statements before the magistrate. She was kept sitting in the PS till 2:30pm. The witness was later sent to the district court. 

In the meantime, the chairman came to the police station but Mukta hid herself behind the PS out of fear.

Contacted, OC Munirul Giash said the chairman came to the PS for his personal purpose but he could not see the girl.

Despite repeated calls, this correspondent could not contact the accused chairman for his comment on the issue as he did not pick up his phone.