Zia murder convict Mozzafar held after 45 yrs

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch (DB) has detained retired Major Md Mozzaffar Hossain, a convicted fugitive from the assassination case of late President Ziaur Rahman, after 45 years on the run.

Additional Commissioner of DMP and also chief of DB Dhaka Metro, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, said that retried Major Md Mozzafar Hossain was detained by the DMP DB early Thursday (July 16) from the capital's Banani DOHS area.

He said that Mozzaffar Hossain had been absconding since being convicted in connection with the assassination of Ziaur Rahman.

Following his detention, he was handed over to the Bangladesh Army after the completion of legal formalities for further proceedings under the military justice system.

Investigators describe Mozzaffar Hossain as one of the key planners of the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, who was killed during a military coup attempt in Chattogram on 30 May 1981.

Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagmara village in Gabtali upazila of Bogura, Ziaur Rahman emerged as the centre of state power following the Sipahi-Janata (Soldiers-People) Revolution on November 7, 1975.

He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on September 1, 1978.

Late President Ziaur Rahman had travelled to Chattogram on May 29, 1981 on an official visit.

He was assassinated at the Chattogram Circuit House by a group of army personnel in the early hours of May 30, 1981.

The renegade soldiers reportedly buried his body in a remote forest in Raozan upazila of Chattogram district.

His body was recovered three days later and brought to the capital Dhaka.

Millions of mourners attended his funeral prayers at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, after which he was laid to rest on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) complex.

According to historical accounts and case-related records, a group of renegade army officers attacked the Chattogram Circuit House in the early hours of that day, where the then-president was staying.

Mozzaffar Hossain and Captain Mosleh Uddin were among the officers who directly took part in the operation, according to investigators.

Various accounts linked to the case state that Mozzaffar was first to identify President Ziaur Rahman and open fire on him.

After the assassination, he allegedly telephoned the then General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 24th Infantry Division in Chattogram, Major General Abul Manzoor, and informed him, "The President has been killed."

Following a military crackdown to restore control, several officers were arrested, including Major General Manzoor, who was later killed.

Captain Mosleh Uddin was subsequently arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.

However, Mozzaffar Hossain and Major SM Khaled managed to evade arrest and remained fugitives.

Sources involved in the investigation said Mozzaffar spent a prolonged period in hiding in India and was believed to have stayed there between 1997 and 1998.

He later allegedly used assumed identities and moved across different locations after crossing the border.

His arrest after more than four decades marks a significant development in one of Bangladesh's most high-profile political assassination cases.

Authorities said further legal proceedings against him will now be conducted through the Bangladesh Army's judicial process.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com