Political Dirty Hands

The horrendous operation to assassinate the four national leaders in Dhaka Central Jail on November 3, 1975 was conducted from the Bangabhaban under direct supervision of then president Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed and some people loyal to him, a key witness said. From the Bangabhaban, Mushtaque directed jail officials to carry out the orders of a group who had gone to the central jail to kill the four leaders, said then jailer Aminur Rahman in his deposition in the historic jail killing case.

Under orders from then captain Moslem, the jail officials at gunpoint brought the four leaders -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, captain Mansur Ali and Quamaruzzaman -- together in a room. Moslem and some other army personnel then hurriedly entered the room and fired indiscriminately on the leaders killing them. The assassins then left the jail premises, he recalled.

Jailer Aminur Rahman's deposition

On that night (November 3 night, 1975) major Faruk made a phone call to me from the Bangabhaban and wanted to know about locations of the Awami League leaders on the jail premises. A prison guard on November 3, at about 3:00 in the night, informed me over telephone that inspector general (IG-prisons) directed me to go to the jail gate instantly and strengthen security measures. I hurriedly went to the jail gate at about 3.15 in the night and when I was entering the office of the jailer, a prison guard informed me that the IG (prisons) had arrived at the jail gate. I received him at the gate and took him to the office of the DIG (prisons). He told me that a telephone call from the Bangabhaban warned him that some miscreants would take some prisoners. He asked me to alert all officials working under me. He also informed me that DIG (prisons) Kazi Abdul Awal would come soon to the jail gate as a message has been sent to him over telephone. Meantime, the DIG arrived at the jail gate and went to his office room where the IG (prisons) was already waiting. In accordance with the IG's directive, I alerted all my deputies through an alarm. Deputy jailer Abdul Zahid, Taiab Ali Mollah, Abdur Rauf, Amanullah and Ikbal Hossain arrived at the jail gate hearing the alarm. Assistant surgeon of the jail Dr Rafik Ahmed came along with two doctors. Besides, some employees and jail guards arrived inside and outside the jail gate. At this time, a phone call came to the IG from the Bangabhaban. On receipt of the phone, the IG told me that an army officer named captain Moslem would come to the jail gate soon from the Bangabhaban with some army officers. The IG asked me to receive them and take them to the office of the DIG. After my return from the office room of the DIG, at about 4:00am, captain Moslem along with four army personnel carrying arms arrived at the jail gate. I received them and took them to the office of the DIG where the IG was sitting. The IG was speaking on phone. Then I went to my office room. At that time, Major Rashid made a phone call to my office and wanted the IG. I informed the IG and coming to my office room, he received the phone and talked with president Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed, addressing him 'sir, sir'. After the talks, the IG told me he (IG) had talked with the president and the president ordered him to act in accordance with the directive of the army personnel present on the jail premises. At this time, captain Moslem asked the IG and the DIG to go inside the jail, threatening them. The IG along with us then entered the prison. Captain Moslem and the four other army personnel were wearing khaki and black uniform, but there was no badge on their shoulders. Captain Moslem directed us to take them where the Awami League leaders were confined. We along with the army personnel carrying arms arrived on the new jail premises where the Awami League leaders were confined. This time, captain Moslem gave a directive to bring Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain Mansur Ali and Quamaruzzaman together in a room. Then, in accordance with the directive of captain Moslem, the IG asked me to bring the four leaders together in a room.

I along with chief prison guard Subedar Abdul Wahed Mridha and prison guards on duty brought the four Awami League leaders together in room-1 of cell 15. Political prisoners Syed Nazrul Islam and Tajuddin Ahmed were confined to the first room in the eastern part of cell 15 while captain Mansur Ali and Quamaruzzaman were confined to two separate rooms in the western part of cell 15. They were brought to room-1 in the eastern part. Prisoners confined to room-1 were shifted to other rooms and only the four leaders were brought together in that room. Then I left the room and informed the IG that the leaders were brought together. At that time, captain Moslem along with the other army personnel was present beside the IG. After having the message, captain Moslem and the other army personnel hurriedly entered room-1 and opened fire indiscriminately on the four leaders and killed them. Hearing the sound of fire, we became puzzled. The army personnel then left the jail.

Staff Correspondent. The Daily Star. Vol. 5 Num 119 Tue. September 21, 2004