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PW-24 tells court

We were told the govt has to be toppled

By Staff Correspondent
Hours before I he killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members, troops of the Second Field Artillery and the First Bengal Lancer were told by officers, "the government has to be toppled,' Havilder (retd) Aminur Rahman 24th prosecution witness in the Bangabandhu murder case told the trial court yesterday
In his deposition before the Court of District and Sessions Judge, Dhaka. Amin also said he was in the Second Field Artillery that had participated in the night training' of August 14. 1975 and was later posted at the Radio Station in the early hours of August 15. 1975 when Bangabandhu and his family members were killed
Earlier in the day's proceedings, cross-examination of PW-i 23 was also completed Amin 1 was being cross examined by
the lawyers of the state defence when yesterday s proceedings were adjourned till 9:30 am today
When Amin was deposing before the court, one of tne defence lawyers moved a petition challenging his eligibility as a witness The petition was recorded and Amin was allowed to con-
The PW 24 also said that before being posted at the Radio Station ne was deployed in front of a house for sometime. He said that he later came to know that it was the official residence of Abdur Rab Sernia-bat. a cabinet minister in Bangabandhu's government.
I was told that Maj Rashed Chowdhury along with other officers had killed Abdur Rab Serniabat and his family members opening brush fire'
There was a programme for 'night training' on August 14, 1975. in the afternoon, the troops had assembled at the Unit line under the instruction of the Havilder Major.
"In the evening we started our 'road march' towards the new airport under instructions from Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid. Commanding Officer (CO) of the Unit. We also took our personal weapons before the road march began. Havilder Major also checked out weapons on arrival at the new airport area and ordered a recess at about 10:00 pm or 10:30 pm.
"At about 3:00 am or 3:30 am on that night, the Havilder Major ordered us for 'fall-in'. During the fall-in' there, our battery commander Capt Mustafa was also present. Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid, CO of the Unit accompanied by some other officers also came there afterwards.
The Commanding Officer told us. "An important task is lying ahead of us and for that we have to move and the next instruction will be passed over there.
"Our battery commander Capt Mustafa then took us to the Lancer Unit where we found that the troops of the unit had already assembled there. Maj Syed Farooq Rahman. CO of the First Bengal Lancer Unit, mixed us with the Lancer soldiers and also gave a briefing
"Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid, CO of the Second Field Artillery. Capt Mustafa and some other officers including some dismissed army officers
were also present there.
"Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid and Maj Syed Farooq Rahman also introduced us to some dismissed army officers. I remember Maj Dalim, Maj Rashed Chowdhury, Maj Shahri ar and Capt Majed among those introduced to us that Right.
Amin also identified Maj Farook and Maj Shahriar in the dock.
"At one stage, the troops were also addressed by Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid and Maj Dalim.
“Picking our lives, we have liberated the country. The government has failed to safeguard the honour and dignity of our women folk. People are dying of starvation. The government has to be toppled, the troops were told during the address.
"Following the address, our battery collected ammunition for persona] weapons from Lancer Unit under instructions from Mai Farooq and Maj Rashid, COs of the First Bengal Lancer and the Second Field Artillery respectively.
While collecting ammunition from the Lancer Unit, ,Cap.‘ Mustafa was also with us. I took 10 rounds of ammunition for my weapon.
Then Captain Mustafa ordered us to board a vehicle which moved towards the city. The vehicle stopped at a place and Capt Mustafa then ordered us to get down. We got down and found two other officers. Maj Shahriar and Capt Majed.
"Capt Mustafa then posted some of the soldiers including myself to guard the road while
troops and the two officers went to a nearby house. We heard the noise of heavy gun fire from that house afterwards.
"After about ten minutes. Maj Rashed Chowdhury also came out of that house along with the officers and troops who had gone there earlier.
"Maj Rashed Chowdhury who was carrying a sten gun in his hand ordered troops to board a vehicle that took us near the Radio Station.
Troops were posted around the Radio Station. 1 along with some others were deployed at the gate on the western side of the Radio Station.
"Maj Dalim. Maj Noor. Maj Shahriar. Maj Khandaker A Rashid, Maj Rashed Chowd-huiy, Capt Majed, Capt Mustafa and some other officers entered the Radio Station at about 6:00 am or 6:30 am.
"At one stage Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid and Maj Farooq along with others went out of the Radio Station. Later Maj Dalim also left the radio centre.
"Khandaker Mushtaque accompanied by Maj Khandaker Abdur Rashid came to the radio centre later. They were also accompanied by a civilian whom I did not recognise.
The Chief of Army Staff also came there afterwards. He was followed by Maj Dalim who was also carrying weapon in an openjeep.
The Deputy Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman, the Chiefs of Air Force and the Nava) Force also came there subsequently. Officers belong Ing to various other army units also came there afterwards.