Blog 71

SQ Chy now booked for war crimes

Detained BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was shown arrested for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday. A three-member judges’ panel headed by Justice Nizamul Huq directed the authorities concerned to produce Salauddin before the court on December 30 on the charges. The tribunal [...]

Tribunal urged to keep Sayedee detained

Dhaka, Dec 23 (bdnews24.com)—The International Crimes Tribunal has been requested to keep Jamaat-e-Islami leader and a major war crimes suspect Delwar Hossain Sayedee detained until charges against him are framed formally. The prosecutors’ panel and the investigation team of the tribunal on Thursday made the request after submitting report on the progress in framing charges [...]

SQ Chy now booked for war crimes

December 26th, 2010

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Detained BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was shown arrested for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday.

A three-member judges’ panel headed by Justice Nizamul Huq directed the authorities concerned to produce Salauddin before the court on December 30 on the charges.

The tribunal also comprised Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and Justice AKM Zaheer Ahmed.

It passed the order after hearing a petition filed on December 15 by war crimes investigation agency for Salauddin’s arrest.

Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal Ghulam Arieff Tipoo later told reporters Salauddin would be held in detention until the agency completes probing the war crimes allegations against the lawmaker.

The prosecutor during the hearing prayed to the court to serve arrest warrant on Salauddin for the killings of Nutan Chandra Singh at Raozan in Chittagong on April 13, 1971 and 104 others.

He said the investigators and prosecutors gathered evidence of Salauddin’s involvement in killing and torturing innocent people particularly the Hindus in 1971.

Salauddin was allegedly involved in the killings of Nutan Singh, founder of herbal medicine factory Kundeshwari Oushadhalaya, and 35 people at Jagatmallo Para and 69 others at Unasattar Para in Chittagong during the War of Independence, he said.

Primary investigation shows Salauddin with the help of Pakistan occupation forces led the murders and tortures near his Goods Hill residence in the port city, the prosecutor noted.

If the BNP leader is allowed to move free, he might hamper the investigation and influence the witnesses, Tipoo said.

On December 16, law enforcers arrested the BNP standing committee member from Banani in connection with torching a car at Moghbazar on June 26. The arson left one person dead.

Salauddin’s lawyer Fakhrul Islam wanted to submit two petitions before the tribunal.

One of the petitions states Justice Nizamul Huq and Justice ATM Fazle Kabir have no constitutional jurisdiction to hold the office of judge of the International Crimes Tribunal, since they are the judges of High Court division of the Supreme Court.

Another petition claimed the investigation agency’s petition filed for the arrest of Salauddin had become ineffective since he was arrested on December 16 in a separate case.

The court, however, asked Fakhrul to submit the petitions through its registrar. Read more »

Tribunal urged to keep Sayedee detained

December 26th, 2010

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Dhaka, Dec 23 (bdnews24.com)—The International Crimes Tribunal has been requested to keep Jamaat-e-Islami leader and a major war crimes suspect Delwar Hossain Sayedee detained until charges against him are framed formally.

The prosecutors’ panel and the investigation team of the tribunal on Thursday made the request after submitting report on the progress in framing charges against Sayedee for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and mass killing during the Liberation War in 1971.

The court will hear the appeal on Dec 29.

Prosecutor panel member Mokhlesur Rahman Badal told reporters they had found evidence supporting the allegations against Sayedee, a Jamaat executive council member.

But, he said, they needed more time to get further information and more witnesses and so Sayedee was needed to be kept in custody.

Chief prosecutor of the tribunal Golam Arif Tipu and other key lawyers were present at that time.

On Nov 2, the judges’ panel of Mohammad Nizamul Haque, A T M Fazle Kabir and A K M Zahir Ahmed ordered Sayedee to be kept in detention until Dec 29.

The tribunal also asked investigators to report their findings on the allegations by Dec 23.

Syed Haider Ali, on behalf of the prosecution, on that day, appealed to the court to keep Sayedee held in the case.

Ali had said preliminary evidence of Sayedee’s involvement in various offences, including killing, arson and rape, in Pirojpur during 1971 had been gathered. “It’s necessary to keep him arrested for the investigation, which might be hampered if he is freed.” Read more »

Bangladesh: A Free and Fair War Crimes Tribunal?

December 26th, 2010

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A war crimes tribunal set up in Bangladesh to try those responsible for atrocities during the country’s 1971 liberation war with Pakistan is facing increased scrutiny by the international community. While the International Crimes Tribunal has been widely welcomed in Bangladesh as a response to the longstanding need to address the issue of impunity for alleged war crimes and other crimes under international law, serious concerns have been raised, particularly regarding its statute, which contains several provisions that are incompatible with international law and international fair trial standards. In July, Rules of Procedure were adopted, which are also highly problematic in terms of international human rights law.

The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act was drafted in 1973 with some international input and well before the creation of the two ad hoc tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, whose rulings have since clarified and expanded the body of international criminal law. The Act was later marginally amended in 2009.

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The Rediff Interview of Lt Gen A A Khan Niazi

August 9th, 2010

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After a series of stunning advances in December 1971, Indian forces routed Pakistan and liberated Bangladesh in less than two weeks. It was one of India’s swiftest and most brilliant military campaigns that not only dismembered Pakistan, but became a lasting cause of humiliation for that country.

Triggered by the civil war in Pakistan – pitting the West Pakistan army against the large Bengali-speaking East Pakistanis demanding greater autonomy – India was swamped with 10 million Bengali refugees fleeing the crackdown in the east. Tensions reached a flashpoint when Pakistan President Yahya Khan ordered the attack on Indian air bases in Jammu and Punjab. In response, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared war at midnight, December 3.

Thirteen days later, Pakistani troops under Lieutenant General Ameer Abdullah Khan Niazi, surrendered. In charge of Pakistan’s Eastern Command, General Niazi was blamed for the defeat and was removed from the army in 1975. Though the Hamoodur Rehman Inquiry Commission set up in Pakistan after the war – parts of the report were officially released in 2001 — had recommended his court-martial, General Niazi did not face a trial.

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Bangladesh Liberation War: A Personal Diary

August 9th, 2010

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“Bangladeshi governments and political leaders may have the luxury to ignore those dead ones and squabble over leadership, but how can I forget them? How can I forget Bilkis whose father was an additional SP of Comilla and was shot dead? How can I forget my relatives, my neighbours and my friends that were killed for no fault of their own? Our Hindu neighbour’s college going daughter was raped. How can I forget her pure face and affectionate behaviour? On the Victory Day each year, while we rejoice, I feel pain as we could not honour the dead, nor the victims, nor the freedom fighters yet with due solemnity. I feel bad when I find the national leaders questioning the ‘Muktijudder Chetona”. What a travesty of justice, what a shameful act!! How can we make friendship with those that still refuse to accept their guilt and deny the existence of injustice and atrocities of 1971?”

March 23, 1971: Journey to Sylhet:
I just came to pick up my sister who was a medical doctor at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). While entering the building, I met Tajuddin Ahmed, Molla Jalaluddin, Obaidur Rahman and few other Awami League (AL) leaders. They came to see some wounded AL supporters at the DMCH. I knew Tajuddin and Molla Jalaluddin. I met them in Rawalpindi and Lahore in 1969 during Ayub’s Round Table Conference (RTC). I asked them about the progress of their dialogue with President General Yahya Khan. He did not show much enthusiasm, and instead asked me about my well being. I went to my sister’s (Apa) room. She was not there. I met a class friend of mine, Shohidul Huq, who was a Medical Representative at the time. Now he is a big businessman. He is a good soul, always very friendly, helpful and forthright. When Apa came to her room, Shohid advised her to send her kids to Sylhet to avoid any likely trouble if ‘dialogue’ fails. Shohid had always been very close to Obaidur Rahman and he assured that he would let us know the latest developments. Apa was worried as she had two small kids, Sayyied, an infant and Lubna, a toddler. Now Lubna is a mother and a financial consultant. Their father, a young promising surgeon, Humayun Kabir (31) died in a car accident in Khulna in June 1970 when Sayyied was an infant. Now Sayyied is the General Manager of the ETV television channel. Expatriates like me are thankful to Sayyied and his boss, A. S. Mahmud, Chairman of the ETV as their private TV channel did a wonder… it facilitated us to watch Bangladeshi news, dramas, cinemas, and life of Bangladesh even from abroad, for example, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The ETV news is objective and therefore very popular. Due to ETV, the cable sales has gone up significantly especially amongst its 900,000 Bangladeshi expatriates and many in Riyadh would ask you to join dinner parties after the 8 O’clock news of ETV [Dhaka’s 11 PM is Riyadh’s 8 PM].

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Eyewitness accounts, Rafiqul Islam

August 9th, 2010

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Professor Rafiqul Islam

[Translated by Zunaid Kazi]

25th March 1971. Universities were closed because of the non- cooperation movement; neither students nor teachers were attending classes. Even then one has to go back a little bit to speak about the events of 25th March. The elections had established the supremacy of the Bengali majority. Consequently, the power to rule the country should have been vested in the hands of their elected representatives, but the authoritarian ruling clique of the west were in no mood to accept the judgement of the people. That is why they cancelled promised sitting of the parliament on the third of March.

In the face of this insult, Bengalis became defiant. The Bangobondhu’s thunderous declaration in a mammoth public meeting on the 7th of March – “ebArer shongrAm shAdhinatAr shongrAm: This struggle is the struggle for independence” – began to echo in the skies of Bangladesh. That struggle began with non-cooperation, court boycotts, tax revolt, meetings, processions and other mass actions. The Pakistani government became totally paralyzed.

The incapacitated totalitarian government was incensed and gave vent to it’s fury on the black night of 25th March.

Dhaka citizens were apprehensive that the aggressor army might take recourse to a blood-bath. Innumerable barricades were built across the streets and roads of Dhaka. But, they were futile. Soon after day-break, the barbaric attack commenced. Numerous tanks and armored carriers took to the streets. Doors and windows of houses began to reverberate with the sounds of firing cannons, shells and mortars. The deafening rolls of the weapons of death shattered the silence of dusk. And it appeared as if tongues of flame were dancing the dance of daemons on the stage of a blood red sky. Dhaka has been transformed into a bloody war field.

Just like the previous days, some of us had gathered at the University Teachers Meeting Room. Under the aegis of the teachers association we were busy through out the month of March in arranging protest meetings and processions and putting out joint statements. Everyday work always awaited us, and that day was no different. Doctor Khan Sarwar Murshed had prepared a statement that we were planning to present to the British high Commission. Just a few days ago, a news item was published where we learnt that the British Government had permitted the Pakistani Navy access to the port facilities of the then British protectorate of Maldives for repairs and refuelling. We were apprehensive that if at our hour of need the Indian Navy puts up a naval blockade along Pakistani shores, Pakistani ships might attempt to reach Chittagong by way of the Maldives. that is why we were appealing to the British; our statement professed our great concern at the purported action. for several days we attempted to collect signatures form well known citizens. Former Ambassador Kamruddin Ahmed signed, whereas former governor Sultanuddin refused to sign our statement.

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Professor Munier Choudhury (Dept of Bangla, Dhaka University)

August 9th, 2010

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Remembering Munier Chowdhury

Munier Chowdhury was one of the most brilliant personalities of our land. Born on November 27, 1925, his distinguished career was brutally cut short by the local killer-collaborators of the Pakistan occupation army on December 14, 1971, only a few hours before Bangladesh was liberated. He was an ardent nationalist but never a militant one. In his student days he was an active communist, a regular Party member and card-holder, but he voluntarily severed that connection years ago. He chose the life of a scholar, a professor and a writer, and in all three fields achieved enviable success.

Educated in the universities of Aligarh, Dhaka and Harvard, he first carved a name as a fine teacher of English literature. He was, however, passionately devoted to Bangla language and culture, and courted imprisonment in 1952 for his participation in the Bangla language movement, where he had, along with some others, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as his prisonmate. While in jail he assiduously studied Bangla language and literature, appeared at the MA examination in Bangla from inside the jail and came out first in the first class. On his release from imprisonment, he started teaching Bangla at the University of Dhaka, later becoming the Chairman of the Department and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, which posts he held till his tragic death in 1971. Students flocked to his class, many from other departments, as he lectured in his inimitable fashion on Meer Mosharraf Hossain, Bankimchandra and Rabindranath, among others. To this day he is fondly remembered as an extraordinary teacher who was able to kindle in his students a genuine love for great literatures.

Munier Chowdhury possessed a truly creative mind. He was interested in many things, and he left his mark in many fields. He designed a keyboard for the Bangla typewriter which was vastly superior to the earlier ones. Commercially patented by a German firm, it was known as the Munier-Optima typewriter. He wrote plays, short stories, literary criticism, scholarly dissertations and humorous sketches besides translating and adapting a number of plays from English into Bangla. However, his forte was drama, and he is rightly considered as the father of modern drama in Bangladesh. He was passionately attracted to the world of drama since his adolescence. His one-act play Rajar Janmadine (On the King’s Birthday) was performed at the Dhaka University stage when he was still an undergraduate student. He avidly read all the best plays of the world, ancient and modern, the popular works as well as the classics. He travelled widely, visiting UK, USA, Germany, Russia and Japan and, wherever he went, he made it a point to visit local theatre halls and opera houses, see some performances and meet a few contemporary local playwrights.

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Dr Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurta (English Dept)

August 9th, 2010

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Memories of my Father, Shahid Intellectual Jyotirmay Guhathakurta,killed by Pakistani Army on the night of 25th March, 1971

Meghna Guhathakurta
Hey Dad!
The moment I look at verbenas, chrysanthemums dahlias and dianthuses, I seem to conjure up my childhood. In the midst of this riot of colors in the chilly winter morns of South Asia, I can see my father eternally clipping away at dead branches, plucking away dead leaves from thorny rose bushes and leafy rhododendrons. The garden was my father’s natural habitat. He proudly claimed himself to be chief gardener, king of his realm and no one, absolutely no one who did not know the names of all the flowers or creepers that dwelt there or untouched by the subtle fragrance of the different kinds of jasmine that all around walls or was not sensitive to the brilliant hues of colours changing in the sunset did not dare enter! From my earliest memories, I would see bunches of nervous yet eager students troop from our house and tread rather gingerly in my father’s footsteps to be around kingdom of his. They were students of English literature who having struggled through their Keats and Wordsworth had landed up at my father’s doorsteps, eager to quench their thirst for more. But little did they know what was in store for them!!! First had to their prowess in discerning the different kinds of greens they could see reflected in the sparkling sun. Then they had to have deep knowledge of how the earth behaves when it is time to nurture the seedlings that have been strewn on them and how water is needed to enable them to sprout into tender shoots. Then of course it is a must to arrange the mauves and yellows and the pink and the reds so that they do not clash disastrously but render harmonious melody all through. And with each lesson the pages of literature, English, Bengali or whatever would come to life for the students would suddenly feel their body vibrate with the sound of my fathers voice reciting from the works of Tagore, Wordsworth and Yeats.

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Dr GC Deb ( Philosophy Dept, Dhaka University)

August 9th, 2010

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This is a real story told by Begum Rokeya Sultana, the adopted daughter of Dr.G.C. Deb, a highly admired teacher at the Philosophy Department of Dhaka University, who was brutally killed by the Pakistani armed forces on March 26,1971. On March 26, the day following the genocide let loose by the military junta on the Bengalees on March 25, she was standing beside the dead body of Dr. Deb who was shot to death a few moments ago. Then her only baby girl Rabeya was in her lap.The motionless body of Rokeya’s husband was also lying there.

With the baby in her lap Rokeya did not know what to do. She was benumbed with fear and shock. It was one of the many incidents of that black, doomed night — the night that made the Bengalees a nation of fighters. The definition of death was not known to Rokeya. But she was a witness to that fateful black night of March 25. She experienced the horrors of 26th March comparable to one’s dying moments only. On the morning of 26th March Dr. Gobinda Chandra Deb fell down before Rokeya’s eyes because of indiscriminate shooting. Whereas moments before death, in his child-like innocence he was addressing the Pakistani soldiers as ‘baba’ (father, meaning ‘my beloved children’). He wanted to know about the cause of their sudden raid on his residence. Rokeya found no pertinent reason behind the brutality that befell them.

During the Non-cooperation Movement of March Dr. Deb was not physically well. In February,1971 he came back from the USA with a pain in his leg. In March he used to suffer from toothache. The pain even spread to his throat. Dr. Deb usually did not participate in any discussion on politics, but the Non-cooperation Movement of March sometimes made him very thoughtful and disturbed. The Bangla word ‘mukti’ (freedom) had a very special meaning for him. He considered it to be related to the very existence of independent Bangladesh. On March 23, when late Abdul Quddus Makhan, a DUCSU leader, came to see Dr. Deb, he (Dr.Deb) willingly gave him (Makhan) money to buy a Swadhin Bangla flag. Later on, he said this time there would be something meaningful for the country.

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Nur Mohammad Sheikh

August 9th, 2010

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Nur Mohammad Sheikh

Nur Mohammad Sheikh (26 February 1936 – 5 September 1971) was a Lance Nayek in East Pakistan Rifles during the Liberation War. He was killed in an engagement with the Pakistan Army while providing fire for covering the extrication of fellow soldiers at Goalhati in Jessore district on September 5 1971. Nur Mohammad died saving his compatriots and inflicting heavy casualties on his enemy. He was awarded Bir Sreshtho, the highest state insignia of Bangladesh for his bravery and the highest sacrifice.

Early life:
Nur Mohammad Sheikh was born at Moheshkhali village in Narail. His father was Mohammad Amanat Sheikh and mother was Mosammat Jinnatunnesa Khanam. He continued his education up to seventh grade at local schools.

On 14 March 1959, he joined the East Pakistan Rifles. After finishing the elementary training, he was appointed at the Dinajpur sector. He was transferred to Jessore sector on 1 July 1970. At March 1971, Nur Mohammad was staying at his village in a vacation. As the war started, he joined sector 8 and continued to take part at different battles at Jessore. He died on 5 September during the Goalhati Battle in Sutipur.

Battle of Goalhati:
Lance Nayek Nur Mohammad was selected as the captain of the Standing Patrol team at Goalhati that was established to monitor the Pakistan army. On September 5, Nur Mohammad was patrolling with 4 fellow soldiers. The Pakistan army managed to point out the position of Nur Mohammad’s team and attacked them from three different sides. Nur Mohammad wanted to retreat to his base and continued to fire towards Pakistani armies. Meanwhile, one of his fellow soldier was shot by the bullet and Nur Mohammad started carrying him towards safety. But Nur Mohammad himself was hit by a mortar. Even though he was seriously injured, Nur Mohammad decided to continue to provide covering fire for his team. At the time, his fellow Sepoy, Mostafa, urged Nur Mohammad to go with him. Mostafa even forced Nur Mohammad to go with him but Nur Mohammad refused to go but gave his Light Machine Gun to Mostafa so that it would not be captured after his death. He kept a self loaded rifle with him and kept on fighting until he died.

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