27 May 2012: Chowdhury 3rd witness Sirajul day 2

The proceedings started with the defence counsel for Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, Mr Fakhrul Islam stating that in response to the notice served on him on 15th May, 2012 by the tribunal, that he had made his response. He then passed it onto the tribunal. ‘Your Lordships; I beg unconditional apology and mercy of the tribunal. I shall confirm you that in future I will maintain all the dignity of the tribunal,’ he said

The chairman asked Mr. Malum, if he had anything to say regarding this matter, he should serve it on the tribunal, and that he will now fix a date for hearing the matter.

Fakhrul Islam then said, ‘Your Lordships; I have already prayed unconditional apology’.

The chairman stated, ‘Mr. Islam; on that day you have stated- “whatever you have stated. you have stated.” You might think to add some other points which have been missed in your reply submitted to the tribunal. ‘

Justice Nizamul Huq then passed the following order:

Regarding non-compliance of the tribunals’ order, the defence Counsel Mr. Fakhrul Islam has appeared before the tribunal and served a reply and a copy has been served to the prosecution team. 31st May is fixed for hearing of the matter.

Ahsanul Haque, another defence counsel for Salauddin Quader Chowdhury told the judges: ‘Your Lordships, Mr. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury has expressed his intention to appear before the parliament in this session [as the next session has already been called]. Now your Lordships may allow him to attend the parliamentary session?’

The Chairman told him to go and file an application, and then they we will look into the matter.

The examination in chief of Sirajul Islam Siru Bangali – witness number 3 against Salauddin Quader Chowdhury - undertaken by Zead Al Malum continued from the previous day

Witness: On 26th March, 1971 the news started spreading like the sparks of fire. The freedom craving Bangali community got involved with the resistance movement. From 26th instant I got involved with EPR soldiers in the frontline fighting with the Pakistan Army at Samoik Sadar Doptor of Railway Hill at Port Hill. On 31st March when we assumed that it was not safe to stay at Chittagong anymore I left Chittagong towards my home district at Chittagong- Potia Police Station. On 6th April, 1971 I left towards Potia Sadar. Reaching the place I came to know that to fight back the enemies; the Bengal Regiment, EPR, Police, Ansar, Awami League, Student League and the general people are waiting at two sides of the Kalurghat Bridge with the leadership of Major Mir Shawkat Ali. I became so inspired by watching that I got involved with them. From 9th to 11th April 1971 the Mir Shawkat Team fought a deadly fight with the Pakistan Army. In that battle, the Pakistan army could not retain their strength to fight back back against us properly. On 11th April night when a Fighter ship “PNS JAHANGIR” started shelling at Karnafuli River, we didn’t have any other way to step backwards, so we fled.

On 12 April–morning Mir Shawkat Team left towards Bandarban by the way of Potia. Afterwards 1 company soldiers started moving from Modnaghat to Kaptai. So that the northern and southern zone of Chittagong became open for the entry of Pakistan Army. Then by the assistance of the auxiliary forces- Razakar, Al-Badar, Al-Shams, PDP, Jamate Islami, Nizam-e-Islami etc, they started their destructive activities over several villages one by one.

On 27th April I reached Chittagong City and stayed till 5th May, as the road was not seemed to be safe, so again I move towards my village. To form a resistance fighter group at Waypara village under Rawjan Police Station of Chittagong District, a Corporal of Air force named Captain Karim has invoked me on 21st May, 1971 and I joined the team. For the first dates we concentrated on collecting weaponry. From this initiative we deposited some weaponry in our store. Till 16th June, I’ve taken part in several operations by staying with Captain Karim. By being present here, I’ve gathered knowledge about Convention Muslim League Leader Fazlul Quader Chowdhury and his elder son Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury.

Captain Karim has stated that- in the middle of April Mr. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and his companions have abducted Mr. Sheikh Mujaffor Ahmed (Awami League Leader of Chittagong) and his son Sheikh Alamgir and took them to an unknown place. They have been killed and their corpses had been concealed. On 13th April, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury has killed Mr. Nuton Chandra Singha (who was the founder of Kundeshwari Medicine Centre) with the assistance of Pakistan Army. Consecutively, following this incident, he has operated a destructive movement there at the adjacent villages of village Gohira - which were Sultanpur, Jogotmollapara, Unoshotturpara etc. by the assistance of Pakistan Army. Just because of religious enragement they have operated destructive movements at those Hindu majority populated area.

On that day, the Pakistan Army has burnt out the villages under his direct leadership. They have shot down the people of Hindu community. They have looted and destroyed the area. The pretty young ladies have been handed over to the Pakistan Army as gifts. Children- innocent women- old women—no one escaped from the hand of those troops. Genocide got its spark on immense motion. According to Captain Karim the most heinous act has been committed in village Unoshotturpara - where Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury has shot down 15 to 16 innocent women. This is the most heinous incident which has been observed by Mr. Karim. On that time he was hiding himself behind a pond beside the Kaptai Road. By becoming informed about such types of heinous incidents - I have asked him- what is the ultimate reason of such kinds of hatred of agony of Mr. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury and his elder son Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury towards the minority Hindu community. Mr. Karim has answered the one and only reason is Mr. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury who was defeated in 1970 election against a young Awami League Leader - so they have hatred towards the Hindu community. They have thought the Hindus are the main reason for his defeat in the election; so tha, they have started massive destruction towards Hindu community to win the next election. The agony of Captain Karim has touched me on that day. On that day Karim has directed me to kill Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and his companion Syed Wahidul Alam of Hathajari- Laliaghat by ambushing.

On 14th June, 1971 I took all preparation within the morning. At 3:30 P.M. with the assistance of my team, I’ve set a trap at a quiet place named-- Jalalabad- Jhorjhoria- Bottoli which was at the north side of Chittagong. I watched the informer boy who had come from Hat’hajari became bewildered. He understood there was something wrong in his information. I have assured him - don’t be puzzled- go and come forward with the exact information, we will certainly destroy our enemy. After two days I came to know—the information of the informer was exactly correct. Though it was fixed about Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Syed Wahidul Alam to return from Rawjan- Gohira Centre to Goods Hill within 5 P.M. or 6 P.M.; but somehow on that very day they have returned earlier at 2:30 P.M, so that our mission became frustrated.

Afterwards I understood I needed higher training and latest armory to fight back the Pakistan Army; so I moved towards India. After taking a long and hard training, on 20th October, 1971, I returned to Bangladesh with a Guerilla troop. When we were taking rest at the deep forest of Khagrachori- a freedom fighter member of another team named- Bivutibhushon (from Rawjan- Gohira village) has mentioned about a devastating incident. He has stated that on 12th April a rumor flew on the area of Rawjan- Hat’hajari village that Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury is coming towards the area with the Pakistan Panjab Soldiers, to kill the populace of that area. After hearing this news Bivutibhuson took the decision to leave his area on 13th April, 1971 morning; so between 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. he started towards Juiddarhat under Fotikchori Police Station.

After moving forward for sometimes he has watched military convoy coming towards the Kundeshwari Medicine Centre from the Hat’hajari-Rangamati Road. He got frozen by watching that convoy. He understood he won’t be able to save his life whether he moves backwards or frontward; so suddenly he started climbed up the tree in front of him. He lied on a strong and safe branch of that tree. He has assumed that the convoy will move towards the village; but no it get stopped at the gate of Kundeshwari Medicine Centre. He watched- the Pakistan Soldiers along with Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury enter in the Kundeshwari Complex and move towards Mr. Nuton Chandra Singha; afterwards dragged him from the Mondir [Prayer Hall of Hindu community]. Then Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury has directed the Pakistan Army to kill Mr. Nuton Chandra.

Here the witness said in urdu a conversation he heard between Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and the Pakistan Army about Mr, Nuton Chandra Singha in which it was alleged by the accused that Mr. Nuton Chandra was involved with the resistance movement of 1971 and with the direction of the accused to kill him.

Afterwards, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury directed two or three soldiers to kill Mr. Nuton Chandra and took out his own Pistol and shot several rounds and confirmed the death of Mr. Nuton Chandra.

On 27 October; I settled at Ashia village under Potia Police Station with my team. Afterwards it became my duty to find out about the auxiliary forces of Pakistan Army--- Razakar, AL-Badar, Al-Shams, Jamate Islami, PDP etc and to destroy them. On the very beginning we have captured Hazi Abdus Sattar alias Sattar Hazi of South Ashia village of Potia Police Station who was the close admirer of Fazlul Quader Chowdhury. He was the Porter leader of Chaktai area of Chittagong district and at the same time he was the Razakar leader of my area (Potia). After capturing him we got to know that a guerilla group has attacked Mr. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury in front of the house of Dr. Samiruddin. From this attack the driver was killed and the accused fled away in an injured state.

Prosecutor: Whether the person Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury is present before the Tribunal?

Witness: Yes he is present.

Witness: The news was not believable to me; so Sattar Hazi showed me the report of Daily Azadi of 21st September, 1971. And it was confirmed. Then I set my eyes towards Chittagong District. Other than the Al-Shams team; there was another Islami Student Wing Cadre group—Al-badar. The main torture centre of Al-Badar was based at Hotel Dalim which was situated at the Centre of Chittagong District. The ownership of the Hotel was with a Hindu man. When the Hindu community left the area- frightened by the Pakistan Army, and their auxiliary forces, Muslim League, jamaat-e-Islami, PDP, Nijam-e Islami etc who have captured the Chittagong, at that time the Hotel was captured by the team of Al-badar leader Mir Kashem Ali. At first the Hotel was named as Hotel Mohamaya. Mir Kashem Ali has named it a Muslim name—Hotel Dalim. Md. Lokman was a boy who has been tortured on Hotel Dalim. He is a freedom fighter who has been well trained from India. He was a member of my team. Lokman has requested me to destroy Mir Kashem Ali and M.A. Taher after completing the operation at the village. I gave him my words that I would do so. But he has been killed in a frontline fighting in front of a Madrasa of Potia Police Station. Afterwards, my operation at Hotel Dalim has been delayed. Though I’ve set up spies, but as Mir Kashem has concealed himself from 15th November, 1971 onward; so I was not able to start my operation. Two popular persons who have been tortured in the torture Cell of Mir Kashem Ali were Advocate Shafiqul Alam [Chittagong NAP Leader and President of Chittagong Bar for several times] and Saifuddin Ahmed Khan. They have been moved to the Hotel Dalim by Advocate Yahiya [Al-Badar member] of Mohoddesh’villa road. 

Chairman: Okay Defence Counsel (Ahsasanul Haq) start your Cross Examination with at least one question. You can continue the next part tomorrow.

Defence: Whether “Bangal Keno Juddhe Gelo” book has been written by you?

Witness: Yes I’ve written the book.

The court was adjourned