Execute verdict in Kazi Aref murder case
Politicians, locals in Kushtia demand
16 February 2013, 18:00 PM
Our Correspondent, Kushtia
Kazi Aref AhmedPolitical activists and local people yesterday demanded quick execution of the verdict in the case for killing Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leader Kazi Aref Ahmed and four others of the party.
They made the call at a meeting marking the 14th year of the killings.
On the occasion, JSD and its front organisations held different programmes including wearing of black badges, staging silent processions and discussions at Kalidaspur in Daulatpur upazila and Kushtia town.
Kazi Aref Smriti Sangsad, Lokman Hossain Foundation and Yakub Ali Trust arranged the programmes.
An armed gang killed the JSD chief Kazi Aref, Kushtia district JSD president Lokman Hossain, general secretary Yakub Ali, local JSD leader Shamsher Ali Mondol and Israil Hossain at a rally at Kalidaspur on February 16, 1999.
On August 30, 2004, the then additional district and sessions judge Fazlur Rahman pronounced the verdict sentencing 10 people to death and 12 others to life-term imprisonment for the killings.
On 5 August, 2008, a High Court bench upheld the death sentences handed down to 10 accused and acquitted 11 out of 12 who were given life-term imprisonment.
On 8 August, 2011, a Supreme Court bench upheld the death penalty of 10 but Illyas Ali died in jail.
Among the death penalty convicts, four are still absconding, and four languishing in Kushtia and Chuadanga jails.
The four in jails are Anwar Hossain, Jhantu, Habiur Rahman alias Habi and Sahir Uddin, while Mannan Mollah, Bashar, Rawsan and Baker are on the run. Sahara Banu, 70, wife of slain JSD leader Shomser Ali Mondol told this correspondent yesterday that she was frustrated due to much delay in execution of the verdict.
"Where will I go to ask and how will I get justice?" she lamented at her home at Philipnagar village in Daulatpur upazila, 56 kilometres off the district town.
"The verdict must be executed without further delay", said Golam Mohsin, president of JSD Kushtia district.
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