RU teachers, officials demand trial of war criminals

RU Correspondent | Published: March 20, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY, Mar 19: The Pro-Awami League and progressive teachers and officials of the Rajshahi University (RU) demanded trial of war criminals who committed crimes against humanity on the campus during the Liberation War in 1971.
Earlier in 2010, Rajshahi University authorities formed an 11-member committee with Prof Chowdhury Zulfikar Matin as its convener to identify the people who were involved in war crimes.
Other members of the committee were-RU teachers Tofazzal Hossain Tarafdar, Abul Kashem, Shafikunnabi Samadi, Ananda Kumar Saha, Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan Sajal, Moloy Kumar Bhoumik, Sadekul Arefin Matin, Mahbuba Kaniz Keya, and Hasibul Alam Prodhan.
RU administrative sources said the committee was formed as the International War Crimes Tribunal sent a letter seeking information on persons who committed crimes during the 1971 liberation war. The committee got involvement of twelve alleged collaborators of Pakistani occupation forces who were sued for killing a freedom fighter.
The accused are Md. Obaidul Haque Tahar, Ataur Rahaman Nani, Shahidullah Pintu, Shahidur Rahman Maju, Md. Fazlur Rahaman, Md. Yusuf, Mister Mia, Md. Hafizuddin Mir, Md. Abdul Wahab Khan Ronu, Md. Manik Mia, Abdur Rashid, and Farid Ahamed.
The court took the case into cognizance and sent to the International War Crimes Tribunal.
Sources said that the committee has already sent their report about allegation. Moreover, the investigation team of International War Crimes Tribunal (ICT) visited the Rajshahi University (RU) four years ago. During the investigation the team visited RU Shahid Shamsuzzoha hall, University mass graveyard, central Shahid Smriti sangrohshala and Shahid Minar area.
Then Dr. Sujit Kumar Sarker, vice president of Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee (GHADANIK), Rajshahi unit and also a teacher of RU Bengali department handed over a document to the investigation team against 21teachers, officers and employees of the varsity who were allegedly involved with war crimes during the liberation war in 1971, sources said.
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