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Alim was peace committee leader

Prosecution says as closing arguments begin

Staff Correspondent
The prosecution in the opening of the closing arguments yesterday tried to prove that war crimes accused Abdul Alim was a top leader of Joypurhat Peace Committee during the Liberation War.
Citing some documentary evidence, prosecutor Rana Dasgupta told International Crimes Tribunal-2 that Alim had formed and led the Peace Committee in Joypurhat. The accused along with his organisation had taken part in the atrocities committed there, he added. Alim, a member of late president Ziaur Rahman's cabinet, is facing 17 charges over his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and genocide.
Rana said Alim had joined the Convention Muslim League when it was formed under the leadership of the then Pakistan president Ayub Khan in 1962. He contested the 1970 election from the party and was the president its Joypurhat unit in 1971, the prosecutor added.
The leaders of antiliberation political parties held a meeting with the then East Pakistan governor Gen Tikka Khan, the infamous "Butcher of Baluchistan", in April 1971. The Central Peace Committee was formed to assist the Pakistan government's actions against Bangalees following that meeting.
Presenting documents, Rana said the president and the general secretary of the CML, which was banned immediately after liberation, directed all units to form Peace Committees. The instruction was complied with in Joypurhat under the leadership of Alim, he said.
He further said the Dainik Bangla on January 18, 1972 published a report headlined, "Brutality of intrusion force", where Abdul Alim was identified as a leader of the Peace Committee in Joypurhat.
On January 23, 1972, the Dainik Bangladesh of Bogra reprinted the same report mentioning Alim's identity, said Rana while showing evidence in support of his contention.
He also said following a request of the investigation agency, the Deputy Commissioner's Office of Joypurhat had given a list of anti-liberation elements showing Alim as the chairman of Joypurhat Peace Committee.
Rana said the Dainik Bangladesh on January 17, 1972 published a report headlined, "These are the demons, bigwigs of Khan's misrule; help arrest them." Alim's name was listed along with those of other fugitives in the report.
The prosecutor said Alim was mentioned as the president of Joypurhat Peace Committee in the book, "Associates of Pakistani Army in 1971", by ASM Shamsul Arefin. The book had referred to a government gazette of 1972 as it source.
Citing from the East Pakistan Police Abstract, Rana said Alim was seen delivering a speech in Bogra as the vice-chairman of Bogra District Council on August 14,1971.
In his testimony, Sajjad
bin Alim, son of the accused, said his father had gone into hiding in fear of the Pakistani army in April 1971.
Rana said when the nation was engaged in a life-and-death battle against the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators, Alim had taken part in a by-election to the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly on a CML ticket.
He said the Dainik Sangram on October 31 reported that Alim was 20th among the 31 candidates who had been elected uncontested.
The accused was listed by National Security Intelligence as one of the elected members of Pakistan National Assembly and East Pakistan Provincial Assembly immediately after the Liberation War.
During his testimony, Sajjad categorically said his father had not taken part in any election in 1971.
Rana also placed his arguments on the first and second charges, referring to the testimony of at least 10 prosecution witnesses.
The two-member tribunal of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam heard the arguments before adjourning the proceedings.
The prosecution is expected to place further arguments today.