FROM PAGE 4

people, including former Jashore superintendent of police Md Anisur Rahman, over a 2016 incident in Jashore’s Chowgachha upazila where two victims -- Israfil Hossain and Ruhul Amin -- were allegedly subjected to a staged “crossfire” and later lost their legs due to severe injuries.

Three of the accused are in jail, while five remain absconding. The tribunal issued arrest warrants against the fugitives and ordered the authorities to produce the three accused in custody before the court on February 16.

According to the prosecution, then sub-inspector SM Akikul Islam and constables Sazzadur Rahman and Kazi Jahurul Haque of Chowgachha Police Station directly opened fire on the victims on the instructions of their superior officers.

The other accused are then officer-in-charge of Chowgachha Police Station Mashiur Rahman, SI Mokhlesuzzaman, SI Jamal Hossain and SI Majedul Islam.

Speaking to journalists at the ICT premises, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said police personnel, acting on the direct orders of then SP Anisur, shot the two victims in their legs during staged crossfire incidents and later poured sand into their wounds, causing severe infection that ultimately led to the amputation of both legs.

“This was not an isolated crime,” Tajul said, claiming that evidence suggests at least 16 to 18 similar incidents occurred during Anisur Rahman’s tenure.

Separately, the prosecution also pressed formal charges against nine people, including former Gouripur upazila chairman Somnath Saha, in another crimes against humanity case over the killing of three people in Gouripur, Mymensingh, during the July 2024 uprising.

Tajul said that after one of the victims was initially shot in the abdomen, a sub-inspector fired again at his head and chest to ensure his death.

Three accused are currently in custody in the case, while the remaining six are absconding.