6 Dec 2012: Azad trial 15th witness

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

Following on from the previous day, in the trial of Abul Kalam Azad, the 15th Witness, Probodh Kumar Sarkar came to the court to give evidence.

Prosecution: Your name and address please.

Witness: My name is Probodh Kumar Sarkar, son of late Sri Vobonath Sarkar., age-about 62 years, village-Goalchamot (Molla Bari road), police station-Kotoali, District-Faridpur.

Prosecution: Your occupation?

Witness: I am a journalist, writer and have written history of freedom fighters and I am an injured freedom fighter.

Prosecution: Can you remember the incidents in 1971?

Witness: In 1970’s national election Awami league had won the election with majority seat but Pakistan Govt. avoiding handing over the power to Bongobondhu. Then on 7th March Bongobondhu proclaimed non co operation. However on 25th March in 1971 Pakistan Armies had attacked by operation search light the Razar Bage Police Line, Pilkhana, Dhaka University and attacked Hindus and committed murder loot, and arson. Then due to continuation of such operation, on 21st April in 1971 the army had reached at Goalchamot area in Faridpur at 4pm under leadership of Major Koreshi under the direction of Pakistan Army Administration.

That time we saw, 300/400 Biharies receiving the Pakistani armies under leadership of Advocate Afzal Hossain, Alauddin Khan, Khokon and Abul Kalam Azad. They welcomed Pakistan Armies and enjoy themselves at Faridpur’s Goalchamot

Then Pakistani soldiers  had entered with such mentioned people to Jogotbodhu Ongon (shelter home). Then Pakistani had killed 8 Pujari when they had done their prayers. Then Pakistanis had come and established camp at Faridpur Rajendrapur College, Stadium, Police line, Ambika memorial hall with such mentioned people and stayed there. Then set on fire Lutfor shop and peace committee was constituted by Advocate Afzal with 28 members among of them Ali Ahsan Md. Mujahid, Alauddin Kha, Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu, Chan Kazi, Jafor, and Khokon and so on.

Then in May 1971 Razakar Bahini was constituted under leadership of Bachchu. They had killed supporters of Independence, Awami League supporter and Hindus and arrested them and transfer them to Major Koreshi. Many people were killed with torture by Pakistan soldiers with the help of Razakars at Faridpur Circuit house. 8/10 torture cells were under the Faridpur Stadium. There Abu YousufP, Khalil, Massud Kislu, Amir with Badol and so on, young person who supported independence, were confined and tortured I heard that. I also heard that, men were slaughtered there.

Ranjit Kumar Nath was caught by Bachchu from Khabashpur. They confined him in a room of Rasid Mia’s one storied building and one time he escaped from that place. After that he came to his house of village where his parents were, by crossing the river by swimming. When his friends heard that he could come by fleeing, they brought him to freedom fighters camp in Chanderhat of Tambulkhana and managed his treatment and he joined the Freedom fight.

Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu was a commander of Al-Badr had possessed the Bodri Naraon Agarwal house, Hira lal Mukter house. He had given training to Al-Badrs and Razakars by regular basis in there. Bachchu Razakar had committed murder, rape, fire, kidnap, loot, conversion to another religion by forcefully and so on crime against humanity in different areas at Faridpur.

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

Witness: No he is not present, if was present I would have recognized him.

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

Witness: Yes.

Justice Obaidul Hasan asked him how you can have recognized Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu.

Witness: He was a student of Rajendra College and he was member of Islamic Student Union. I was senior to him.

The cross examination of the witness by Advocate Sukkur Ali then took place. (this happened on 9th Dec)

Defence: What is your education background?

Witness: I have completed my IA.

Defence: You said you are a journalist. In which newspaper?

Witness: I write articles in Faridpur local newspaper.

Defence: Have you written any book regarding freedom fight.

Witness: I have written a book which name is “Muktir Pothe Zatra” (start on the road of independence) on the memory of Faridpur’s sub Sector Commander Nur Md. Babul. It has been published in 2008.

Defence: Where you had taken training for freedom fight?

Witness: Jolpaiguri of India.

Defence: In which operation were you injured.

Witness: I was injured in my left leg by operation of Tetulia Bridge at former big Dinajpur district.

Defence: Are you recognized as an injured freedom fighter?

Witness: Application process is going on. My name has been registered at Kollan trust.

Defence: You were not freedom fighter that’s why you are not enlisted in freedom fighter list.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Had you any personal relation with Abul kalam Azad alias Bachchu during which both of you were student of Rajendra College?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: That time he was member of Islamic Student Union in which post?

Witness: I can’t say that.

Defence: When he was become Maulana?

Witness: As far as I remember after 1975.

Defence: Had he completed his study at Rajendra College?

Witness: I can’t say that.

Defence: Were you staying at Goalondo when Pakistani soliders were present?

Witness: No I was not there.

Defence: Were you at Jogot Bondhu Sri Angon?

Witness: I was there.

Defence: Maunala Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu was there?

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: When Peace committee was constituted at Faridpur?

Witness: End of April in 1971.

Defence: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu was not member of Peace Committee and not commander of Razakar or Al-Bodor.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Where he had taken training?

Witness: Probably Faridpur Stadium.

Defence: How long he had taken training?

Witness: I can’t say.

Defence: Hence he had not taken training so that he had not given any training to any other people.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Bachchu was not involved to such crimes.

Witness: It is not true.

Defence: Then due to continuation of such operation, on 21st April in 1971 the army had reached at Goalchamot area in Faridpur at 4pm under leadership of Major Koreshi under the direction of Pakistan Army Administration. That time we saw, 300/400 Biharies receiving the Pakistani armies under leadership of Advocate Afzal Hossain, Alauddin Khan, Khokon and Abul Kalam Azad. They welcomed Pakistan Armies and enjoy themselves at Faridpur’s Goalchamot. Then Pakistani soldiers had entered with such mentioned people to Jogotbodhu Ongon (shelter home). Then Pakistani had killed 8 Pujari when they had done their prayers. Then Pakistanis had come and established camp at Faridpur Rajendrapur College, Stadium, Police line, Ambika memorial hall with such mentioned people and stayed there. Then set on fire Lutfor shop and peace committee was constituted by Advocate Afzal with 28 members among of them Ali Ahsan Md. Mujahid, Alauddin Kha, Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu, Chan Kazi, Jafor, and Khokon and so on. Then in May 1971 Razakar Bahini was constituted under leadership of Bachchu. They had killed supporters of Independence, Awami League supporter and Hindus and arrested them and transfer them to Major Koreshi. Many people were killed with torture by Pakistan soldiers with the help of Razakars at Faridpur Circuit house. 8/10 torture cells were under the Faridpur Stadium. There Abu Yousuf, Khalil, Massud Kislu, Amir with Badol and so on, young person who supported independence, were confined and tortured I heard that. I also heard that, men were slaughtered there. Ranjit Kumar Nath was caught by Bachchu from Khabashpur. They confined him in a room of Rasid Mia’s one storied building and one time he escaped from that place. After that he came to his house of village where his parents were, by crossing the river by swimming. When his friends heard that he could come by fleeing, they brought him to freedom fighters camp in Chanderhat of Tambulkhana and managed his treatment and he joined the Freedom fight. Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu was a commander of Al-Badr had possessed the Bodri Naraon Agarwal house, Hira lal Mukter house. He had given training to Al-Badrs and Razakars by regular basis in there. Bachchu Razakar had committed murder, rape, fire, kidnap, loot, conversion to another religion by forcefully and so on crime against humanity in different areas at Faridpur.

Witness: I said.

Judge Shahinur Islam asked how can you say this he was Razakar in what basis?

Witness: I have no written document.

Defence: You made false and fabricated witness against Maulana Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu.

Witness: It is not true.