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DHAKA: Noted historian and Dhaka University teacher professor Muntasir Mamun said of the then politicians, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Ghulam Azam played the main role in assisting the Pakistani army to commit genocide in the country during 1971 liberation war.
He said, “We could achieve our independence much earlier if they did not work for Pakistani army. Ghulam Azam and Nurul Amin worked as the main associates of the killer force during war time. They advised to form the peace committee.”
“Ghulam Azam introduced the Rajakar Bahini during the liberation war. Later, the Pakistani government passed an act in this regard. On the other hand, Jamaat Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami led the Al Badar Bahini,” he added.
The historian said, “The Pakistani army conducted mass killing and lotting operations across the country during the nine months of the war. They raped hundreds of Bangladeshi women. Ghulam Azam led those operations. Newspaper’s reports proved the fact.”
He came up with the information while giving deposition against former Jamaat Ameer Ghulam Azam on Sunday.
He gave the deposition before the three-member ICT-1 led by Justice Nizamul Haque.
On June 24, the tribunal fixed July 1 for hearing the deposition against the Jamaat leader in response to a plea filed by the lawyers of the accused.
Earlier on June 18, ICT-1 has rejected the review and case transfer pleas of Ghulam Azam.
On June 7 of this year, state prosecutions concluded their argument in ICT-1 in review plea hearing of former Jamaat Ameer Ghulam Azam.
On May 13, 2012, the ICT-1 framed charges against him.
On December 12 of last year, formal charges of ‘crime against humanity’ were submitted against Ghulam Azam for his role during the Liberation War and appealed for issuing arrest warrant against him.
A total of 52 allegations were complied in the charge book against Azam, who was Ameer of the erstwhile East Pakistan chapter of the Islamic party that sided with the Pakistan government during the liberation war.
As per the allegations, the prosecutor petitioned the tribunal for issuing arrest warrant against Ghulam Azam.
On December 13, the ICT fixed December 26 to give order on taking into cognizance the formal charges of ‘crime against humanity’ against Ghulam Azam in response to an appeal by Jamaat lawyer Barrister Abdur Razzak.
On November 1, the probe report against the Jamaat-e-Islami leader was submitted to the prosecution panel of the tribunal in connection with their alleged wartime crimes against humanity.
BDST: 1520 HRS, JULY 1, 2012
Edited by: Maria Salam, Asst Output Editor