28 Nov 2012: Azad trial 6th and 7th witness

(These are not official transcripts but notes taken of the proceedings.)

Following on from the previous witnesses, the sixth witness, Vokto Ranjan Biswash then came and gave evidence against Abul Kalam Azad

Prosecution: Your name and address please.

Witness: My name is Vokto Ranjan Biswash, son of late Madhob Chandra Biswash, village-Purua (Nomopara), P.S.-Saotha and district-Faridpur.

Prosecution: What is your age?

Witness: Probably 63 Years old.

Prosecution: What is your occupation?

Witness: I am a farmer.

Prosecution: Can you say something about 1971?

Witness: On 21st April in 1971, Pakistani Armies had established their camp at Faridpur. Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu with 10/12 people had committed looting, burning houses oft supporter of Awami league and Hindus houses and these people were Al-Bodor. They also had committed rape and killed the people. In 1971, on 16th May 1st Joistho (bengoli Month) at 1pm, Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu, Md. Ali and so on attacked our house. My father was a supporter of Awami league. They attacked our house with arms. When my father saw them, he wanted to escape. However they caught my father and they looted money, gold in our house. Then after that Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu had taken my father 300 yard away, besid the house of Sir Tushto. Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu had shot and killed him. After that, on the south side of our house there is a village where there is Duari Sardar’s house which had a guest called Ganendro Mondal. Bachchu had killed him at same place.

I saw that incident with my own eyes and many neighbors also saw this. (Prufullo Kumar Mondal, Tushto Kumar, Monindho nath and so on) Then we reached the dead body, but Bachchu Razakar was present and we got scared and hid. Next day my father’s funeral ceremony held. Ganendra was buried by neighbor. Then we 500/600 Hindus of our village had escaped and took shelter in India, due to fear of Bachchu.

Prosecution: Anything more?

Witness: I want justice.

Prosecution: Have you been interviewed by I.O.?

Witness: Yes.

 Cross examination then took place

Defence: What have you done in 1971?

Witness: I was a farmer.

Defence: What was your age in 1971?

Witness: Probably 25

Defence: In which year were you born?

Witness: In 1958

Defence: Did you recognize Bachchu Razakar?

Witness: I recognized him.

Defence: Do you know his address?

Witness: His house was village-Khardia under Nogorkanda.

Defence: How did you recognize him?

Witness: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu had a ware house at Moyendia Bazaar and he had done Muslim League politics and taken part in meetings that’s why I recognized him.

Defence: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a student?

Witness: Yes he was a student of Rajendrapur College and Bahirdia Madrasha.

Defence: How long he studied at Bahirdia Madrasha?

Witness: I can’t say.

Defence: Did you see when Pakistani shad come at Faridpur in 1971?

Witness: I heard.

Defence: Did you know that, Peace committee was constituted after enter the Pakistani at Faridpur?

Witness: I don’t know.

Defence: Who was involved in Awami league?

Witness: Awshini Mondal, Montu Bakshi and so on.

Defence: Why you have called the Bachchu as Razakar?

Witness: In 1971, he tortures people during freedom fight, that’s why I have known he is a Razakar.

Defence: Bachchu was not Razakar not killed the people and did not loot.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: In 1971, the day of incident Bachchu Razakar and his followers had come from in which direction to your house?

Witness: From the north direction by walking.

Defence: In 1971 where was he?

Witness: He lived at village, Faridpur. He was a leader of Faridpur Peace committee.

Defence: He did not live at the village, Faridpur. He was not a leader of Faridpur Peace committee.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: He had no training and no arms.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: On 16th May in 1971, he did not go to your house and did not kill to your father.
Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Where you have given statement to I.O.?

Witness: At my house.

Defence: Has he written and read out before you.

Witness: Yes.

Defence: Ganendro Mondal was not killed by Bachchu.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: What was looted by them?

Witness: Necklace, ear ring, finger ring and money but how much money I can’t say that.

Defence: You did not say to I.O. that ‘my father was a supporter of Awami league.’

Witness: I said.

Defence: You did not say to I.O. that ‘then we reached at the dead body, then Bachchu Razakar was present, then we got scared and hid.’

Witness: I said.

Defence: He was a student of Rajendrapur College not a Razakar. He could not access the arms and did not come to your house or did not kill your father and did not kill Ganendro Mondal You made false witness.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Do you know, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu has done in which political group now?

Witness: I can’t say that. At present he is absconded.

The seventh witness, Md. Amir Hossain then came to the tribunal

Prosecution: Your name and address please.

Witness: My name is MD. Amir Hossain, son of late Moulovi Md. Nurul Haque, village-West Khabashpur, P.S.-Kotoali and district-Faridpur.

Prosecution: What is your age?

Witness: 60 Years old.

Prosecution: Can you say something about 1971?

Witness: I am a war injured freedom fighter. In 1970, Awami sleague lead by Bongobondhu won the national election with majority seat. Pakistani dictator did not want to hand over the power to Bangali leader Bongobondhu. In 1971 on 7th March, Bongobondhu had given historical speech at Rescource Moydan. All Bangalies were inspired for taking part of independence. Then President of Pakistan Yahya Khan had given direction to Pakistan Armies on 25th March in 1971 at the mid-night Pakistan Armies had attacked to Razarbague Police line, Dhaka University and shot on general public without arms and killed them. … On 21st April in 1971 Pakistani armies had started their journey at Faridpur. Then we general public, Ansar, VDP with police attempt to protest the Pakistani armies at Goalando Station. However we had failed because they had arms. We came back to Faridpur from the Goalando station to save our lives.

That time we saw, that 300/400 Biharis received the Pakistani soliders by lead of Advocate Afzal Hossain, Alauddin Khan, Khokon and Abul Kalam Azad. They welcomed Pakistan Armies and enjoyed themselves at Faridpur’s Goalchamot.

Then Pakistani soliders had entered with such mentioned people to Jogotbodhu Ongon (shelter home). Then Pakistani had killed 8 Pujari when they had done their prayers. Then Pakistani Had come and established camp at Faridpur Rajendrapur College, Stadium, Police line, Ambika memorial hall with such mentioned people and stayed there.

On 21st April, in 1971 Bachchu Razakar had looted the products of Chawk Bazaar Company of Ramkrishno Agarwal with help of Biharis and Pakistani soliders. Then after, Bachchu Razakar had illegally occupied Hiralal Mukter house in Poet Jashimuddin road and Al-Badar training center established there. Bachchu Razakar by the help of Pakistani armies had killed the Awami league supporter and Hindus. On 27/7/1971 Kalubihari with 7/8 people with armed Razakar abduct me as a Mukti Bahini from Faridpur Goalchamot, Jessor road and handed over me to Major Akram Koreshi at Faridpur stadium. From that place I was confined in one of cell among 8/10 cell at Faridpur stadium Gallery’s ground floor.

When I went to there, I saw Ishaq of Moheshpur police station Anwar and Monsur under Vanga police station EPR Hanif Mohammad, Subedar Golam Mostafa under Madaripur Bodiruzzaman under Khabashpur and Faridpur High School Head master’s son Kabir. I was confined long one month, and few days later many people also confined.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu was classmate of mine at Rajendrapur College. He was always with Major Koreshi. I thought as Bachchu was my class mate he may get me released but he did not so. He said to major Koreshi “Eae Mukti hae ea admiko Khatom kar do”.

Then Pakistan Armies had entered to torture cell and tortured us cruelly. One room also was beside the torture cell, we heard sound of women screamed. ….There was a fire in a store room with a petrol drum and sentry was escaped and we also escaped. After reaching the house I took treatment and then after joined Nogorkanda Majhikandi Mukti camp.

Prosecution: Is Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu present at this tribunal?

Witness: No he is not present, if he has presented I recognized him.

Prosecution: Have you given the statement to I.O.?

Witness: Yes.

Cross examination by defence

Defence: What was your age in 1971?

Witness: 18

Defence: What was your date of birth?

Witness: 01/01/1955 on the basis of SSC certificate.

Defence: What was your education background?

Witness: In 1971 I was a student of IA at Rajendrapur College due to freedom fight I could not take part in final exam.

Defence: When did you complete your SSC and from where?

Witness: In 1971 from Faridpur High School.

Defence: Had he completed his IA?

Witness: I can’t say. He was a commander of Al-Shams, Al-Badr during freedom fight.

Defence: How far away from Faridpur town is it it to Borokharadia.

Witness: Around 10 miles.

Defence: Advocate Afzal belongs in which political group?

Witness: One Islamic group after that district Peace committee was constituted.

Defence: Alauddin Khan belongs in which political group?

Witness: Muslim League.

Defence: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu belongs in which political group?

Witness: He had done Islamic Student Union in his student life.

Defence: In which post?

Witness: Probably chairman of Faridpur Islamic Student Union.

Defence: 300/400 Biharis were not received by the Pakistani soldier by leadership of of Advocate Afzal Hossain, Alauddin Khan, Khokon and Abul Kalam Azad. They were not welcomed Pakistan Armies and enjoy themselves at Faridpur’s Goalchamot named place.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: How you had come from Goalondoghat to Goalchamot?

Witness: By cycle, and the Pakistanis came by car.

Defence: Hence Pakistani had reached 1st so you can’t see who made reception.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: When peace committee was constituted at Faridpur?

Witness: I cant remember that.

Defence: When Razakar Bahini was constituted at Faridpur?

Witness: I cant remember that.

Defence: When former Pakistani Govt. had given order for made Razakar Bahini?

Witness: I don’t know.

Defence: On 2nd August in 1971 Razakar and Al-Bodr was constituted at Faridpur before order of made Razakar Bahini.

Witness: I don’t know.

Defence: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu was not commender Razakar Bahini and Al-Bodor Bahini.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: The other day that means on 21st April, in 1971 Bachchu Razakar had not looted the product of Chawk Bazaar Company of Ramkrishno Agarwal with help of Biharies and Pakistani armies.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu never took training of arms that’s why he could not access the arms.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: In 1971 when Pakistani had come at Faridpur then Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu left the Faridpur and had gone to village.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: He did not belong to any Political group no contact with Major Koreshi.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: In torture cell Bachchu never went there and never said that to the investigation officer

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Where you have given statement to investigation officer?

Witness: At my house.

Defence: Has he written and read out before you.

Witness: Yes.

Defence: You did not say to I.O. that ‘when I went to there, I saw Ishaq of Moheshpur police station Anwar and Monsur under Vanga police station EPR Hanif Mohammad, Subedar Golam Mostafa under Madaripur Bodiruzzaman under Khabashpur and Faridpur High School Head master’s son Kabir. I was confined long one month few days later many people also confined.’

Witness: I did say

Defence: You did not say to I.O. that ‘On 21st April in 1971 Pakistani armies had started their journey at Faridpur. Then we general public, Ansar, VDP with police attempt to protest the Pakistani armies at Goalando Station. However we had failed because they had arms. We came back to Faridpur from the Goalando station with save our lives.’ And ‘That time we saw, 300/400 Biharies received the Pakistani armies by lead of Advocate Afzal Hossain, Alauddin Khan, Khokon and Abul Kalam Azad. They welcomed Pakistan Armies and enjoy themselves at Faridpur’s Goalchamot named place.’

Witness: I did say

Defence: Your evidence is against your close friend Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu is false fabricated.

Witness: It is not true.