Miron Ali Sheikh, now 66, used to work as an informant of the Freedom Fighters in 1971 and got shot in his hand by Razakar Abdul Khaleque. But it was just the beginning of his ordeal.
Miron was detained and taken to Chingra Razakar camp, where in presence of Razakar commander Sakhawat Hossain, Razakars started torturing him mercilessly. Later, they threw him in river Kapatakkha, thinking he is dead.
But the valiant Freedom Fighter with indomitable spirit, may had been lucky to be alive in spite of all the tortures, but little did he know that his sufferings are yet to be over and he have to resort to begging for saving his life in independent Bangladesh.
But the sexagenarian war hero made a last attempt and despite many odds, he came to the tribunal and testified against Sakhawat and his gang. Sakhawat, who was two-time lawmaker and was a leader of three political parties.
Miron now can at least be little hopeful as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Wednesday asked for giving proper respect and recognition for his heroic contribution.
“We feel sorry for Miron Sheikh, a brave Freedom Fighter, who now lives by begging. What a shame! The state and society must arrange to give proper respect and recognition to his heroic contribution,” the tribunal said in its observation while pronouncing judgement in the crimes against humanity case against Sakhawat Hossain and seven others.
The tribunal also asked the prosecution to contact the concerned ministry and in this regard and take initiative for appropriate measures. The ICT-1 also said the brutal killing of the child A Malek Shardar should be remembered by the nation for his brave contribution for the cause of our independence.
While talking about charge number one or the abduction, confinement, torture and rape of Ashura Khatun, who acted as the source of Freedom Fighters, the tribunal observed, “Rapes were used as weapon of war in 1971 and Pakistani army and their local collaborators who committed such atrocious crimes in 1971 are the enemies of humanity.”
While talking about the observation of the tribunal, senior prosecutor Tureen Afroz said, “Through these trials of war criminals, even after more than 40 years, the real truth is getting unveiled. For the humanity worldwide and the new generation of Bangladesh, history is unfolding.”
But when asked about earlier judgments, where tribunals had asked for compensating rape victims and prosecution witnesses, whether there is any development in implementing those orders, the Barrister Tureen said, “honestly speaking, no.”
Talking about the judgement, Tureen said, “I am personally aggrieved that only 20 years of punishment has been given to the criminals. Where as in Kaiser and A T M Azhar cases we got death penalty.”
