Taher, Nani commited abductions, murders in Netrakona

A prosecution witness yesterday linked Obaidul Haque Taher and Ataur Rahman Nani to the abduction and murder of his uncle and several others from Gumria and a neighbouring village in Netrakona during the Liberation War of 1971.    

Joynuddin of Gumria village, the second prosecution witness in the war crimes case against Taher and Nani, told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he had seen the duo with other Razakars and the Pakistan army carry out the attack on the first day of Bangla month Kartik.  

The 65-year-old said he and his father Komiruddin and uncle Rishi Miah used to transport people by boats from Bangladesh to India for refuge.

On Kartik 1, Taher and Nani with 100-150 Razakars and Pakistani army men came to their home with a detained villager from Asma, Chanfar Ali, looking for Joynuddin, his father and uncle, said the witness, adding that he went into hiding when he saw them coming and his father was not at home at the time.

Taher and Nani and the others detained his uncle and went to the neighbouring village of Laufa, said Joynuddin, adding that he followed them.       

Divided into two groups, Pakistani army and Razakars looted the village and tortured its women, said Joynuddin.
He added that they detained Ruj Ali Talukder, Jafor Ali Talukder, Moshrab Ali Talukder, Alam Khan, Sadek Ali and Alauddin.
When the detainees were taken to Barhatta, Ruj Ali and Jafor Ali tried to flee but Taher and Nani shot them dead and took the other detainees to Thakurkona camp, said Joynuddin. 

Nani

Joynuddin said the two released Sadek Ali and Alam Khan to bring them information on freedom fighters. 
The other detainees except Chanfar Ali were shot dead on the bank of Thakurkona River, he added.    

Chanfar Ali survived by jumping into the river with two bullets, said Joynuddin. Chanfar Ali informed him that the others were killed by Taher and Nani.
The witness will be cross-examined today.

Meanwhile, case proceedings against three alleged Razakars from Bagerhat is set to enter the final stage as ICT-1 yesterday fixed May 5 to hear closing arguments, the last phase before delivering verdict.

The three-member tribunal asked the prosecution to begin their arguments on May 5. Earlier in the day, the tribunal completed recording the testimony and cross-examination of the fifth and last defence witness in the case against Ferdous Khan.

Sheikh Sirajul Haque, Abdul Latif Talukder and Khan Akram Hossain, the alleged Razakars, face seven charges. They, however, pleaded not guilty before the tribunal.