Locals expect upholding of Nizami's death sentence

The people of Pabna, the home district of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, are expecting that the Supreme Court will uphold his death sentence for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

However, eight prosecution witnesses (PWs) from Santhia upazila, who testified to the war crimes tribunal against Nizami, are worried about the possible acts of vengeance by Jamaat men as the verdict on the appeal against capital punishment of the war crime convict is set to be delivered today.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on October 29 in 2014 awarded Nizami capital punishment on four charges of war crimes, including the killings of intellectuals.

Johurul Haque, former commander of Santhia Muktijoddha Sangsad, said Jamaat cadres using unidentified cell phone numbers threatened him after he made statement as a prosecution witness to the tribunal.

"Despite threat from Jamaat men, we gave evidence against Nizami to the tribunal that awarded him death penalty. That time police gave us protection," he said.

"As the area is the birthplace of Nizami, now I pass most of the time outside my house fearing reprisal from the war criminal's followers," he added.

Md Tofazzal Hossain Master, who stated to the tribunal about the torture cell of Nizami in Santhia, is expecting that Nizami's death penalty will be upheld.

"I am a freedom fighter and so, I am not worried about my life. But I am concerned about the security of my family," said Tofazzal, also headmaster of Santhia Upazila Parishad High School.

Prosecution witnesses and local freedom fighters said they expect upholding of the death penalty.

But most of them sought anonymity in fear of revenge by Jamaat men.

Nasir Uddin, officer in charge (OC) of Santhia Police Station, said law enforcers have been kept alert to provide security for the prosecution witnesses and their family members.

Drives are on to keep the law and order situation under control, he said, adding that

Santhia police arrested upazila Shibir secretary Azibur Rahman and three local Jamaat men on Monday night.

The district police administration has also taken special security measures ahead of today's verdict, the OC said.