Examination of prosecution witnesses in the Bangabandhu murder case began yesterday in the Court of District and Sessions Judge. Dhaka.

After recording the statement of Mahitul Islam, principal witness and complainant, who was resident PS to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. the Judge, Kazi Golam Rasul. ordered the state defence for the 14 absconding accused to start cross examination of the witness.

The Judge over-ruled a request by the absconders' lawyers to have the lawyers for the accused in custody begin the cross examination.

Advocate T M Akbar, counsel for Muhiuddin. one of the accused in custody, being asked by court suggested that cross examination should begin on behalf of the absconding accused persons. And the judge accepted it.

During the cross examination. Mahitul Islam mentioned the names of four military officers who. he said, were seen at the place of occurrence during and after the killing of Bangabandhu and his family on August 15. 1975.

"A group of derailed military officers in connivance with over ambitious political leaders had conspired to kill the President and his family." he said.

"Former military officers Maj Sayed Farookur Rahman. Maj Sharifu) H Dalim, Maj Bazlul Huda and Maj SHMB Noor Chowdhury were seen at the place of occurrence during and after the incident," Mahitul Islam informed the court. He identified Farook who was in the dock.

"All are finished . . . President along with his family was killed. Maj Huda said replying to some queries from Maj Farook." Mahitul Islam said. The

court recorded his statement.

The principal witness also told the court that from discussions, newspapers, foreign magazines and books written on the Incident, he came to know that Khandaker Mush-taque Ahmed. Taheruddin Thakur, former military officers Maj Rashid. Maj Pasha. Maj Sharlful Hossain Dalim. Maj Rashed Chowdhury, Maj Shahriar. Maj Mohiuddin. Capt Kismet and Risalder Mosle-muddin were responsible for the killing.

He also said that for security reasons and adverse circumstances, he could not register the FIR earlier.

Of the 20 accused indicted in the case. 14 are facing the trial in their absence, five are in custody and one granted ball by the Supreme Court was also relieved by the High Court.

The proceedings yesterday lasted about five hours with a

break of one hour and will resume today at 10:30 am.

Only one lawyer from the state defence, on behalf of absconding accused Bazlul Huda, started cross examining Mahitul Islam. His statement before the court was recorded from 12:25 pm to till about 4:10 pm.

The defence counsels raised objections at least twice. In their first objection, they blamed the prosecution side for prompting the witness. The judge asked both the sides to cooperate with the court.

At one point, while the recording of statement was going on. the defence lawyers again raised objection saying that the court should not ask the witness about the place of occurrence.

The court explained it wanted clarification.

Normalcy in the court was disrupted when the defence alleged that the absconder's lawyers had earlier marched in processtons demanding the hanging of the accused.

At the beginning. Azra All. on behalf of accused Farook placed before the court a prayer for staying the proceeding of the case on the ground that a transfer petition under Article 110 of the Constitution is in the list of the High Court and a civil petition against the sitting place of the court is pending before the Supreme Court.

The court observed that it did not receive any order from the High Court in this regard.

The accused present in the court were allowed to have lunch brought by their relatives during a one hour recess