The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Bagerhat

A total of 25 Rajakar (collaborator) suspects were sued for mass killing in the district during the War of Liberation in 1971.

Freedom fighter Khalil Mallik of Santoshpur village in Rampal upazila filed the case with the Sadar thana on Thursday for killing nine people.

The accused were identified as Halim Patowari, 60, Mujibor Hawlader, 68, Rafiqul Islam, 65, Farukuzzaman, 58, Siraj Master alias Kosai Siraj, 70, Abul Kashem Master, 80, Samad Hawlader, 80, Razzak Biswas, 71, Shajahan Biswas, 70, Abdul Barek, 62, Mohammad Mollah, 70, Sayed Gazi, 73, Abdul Latif, 66, Abu Sayeed Sheikh, 62, Zinnat Fakir, 70, Atiar Rahman, 73, Idris Joardar, 75, Jabbar Sheikh, 69, Nazrul Joardar, 59, Iman Ali Sheikh, 70, Shajahan Fakir, 65, Moslem Mallik, 60, Asraf Ali, 66, Amzad Hawlader, 65, and Arman Jamadar.

In his case, the plaintiff alleged that the Rajakars gunned down Santosh Debnath, Jogeshwar Roy, Khorshed Mallik, Sadhan Debnath, Swapan Debnath, Rakhal Debnath, Narayan Debnath, Bijoy Debnath and Sunil Debnath at Chulkathi village in Sadar upazila on October 14, 1971. They hailed from different villages in Bagerhat and Khulna districts.

The Rajakars also looted valuables from 60 houses and set ablaze many houses. Sources said with this, a total of 25 cases were filed against 419 suspected war criminals for killing 80 people in six thanas of the district.