The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday finalized its report on probe into the alleged crimes against humanity committed by seven accused from Pirojpur in 1971. The accused include Abdul Mannan Hawlader alias Mannan Dealer, 75, Azhar Ali Hawlader alias Azu Munsi, 88, Ashraf Ali Hawlader, 67, Md Maharaj Hawlader alias Hat Kata Maharaj, 68, and Md Fazlul Haque Hawlader, 75. Of these five, Fazlul died in prison custody on October 30. The investigation agency did not reveal the identities of the other two accused as they are yet to be arrested. All the accused are from Bhandaria area of Pirojpur.
“Investigation officer Md Badrul Alam initiated the probe against the seven on April 12, 2016, and concluded on Tuesday. We made 33 people witnesses in the case and another eight were made seizure list witnesses,” Chief Coordinator of the probe agency Md Abdul Hannan Khan told newsmen at a press briefing held at its Dhanmandi office.Khan said they have brought four charges including of genocide against the accused. “They were involved with the killings of 24. Raped one and shot at another four. Of the four, two later died of their injuries. All of them were supporters of Convention Muslim League in 1971 and joined local units of notorious Razakar Bahini,” the probe body chief added.
