BDR Massacre: Ruling party leader arrested in Bangladesh
President of Bangladesh Awami League City Ward Committee [Dhaka], Haji Torab Ali Akhand has been arrested by the members of Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] on Wednesday evening from a sawmill named Madina Sawmill [which is located near the Bangladesh Riffles headquarters gate number 5] for his involvement in bringing out procession in favor of the killer BDR men during February 25-26 in Dhaka.
Ali is a former Subedar of Bangladesh Riffles and father of Harunur Rashid aka Leather Liton, a top terrorist in Bangladesh. Leather Liton is a former leader of the student wing of Awami League.
It is learnt that, Madina Sawmill owned by Haji Torab Ali was a regular gathering place of BDR men. His son-in-law Rezaul Karim Razu works as a contractor at the BDR headquarters.
Meanwhile, there are indications that a number of front-ranking figures in Bangladesh Awami League may also be arrested soon for their involvement behind the BDR Massacre in Dhaka. State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Parliamentary Whip Mirza Azam [brother-in-law of Islamist militancy kingpin Shaikh Abdur Rahman], Haji Mockbull, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Abdul Jalil, Shamim Osman and several more are already in the suspect list of the investigators.
There is a specific eye of the investigators on Mirza Azam when the case of murder of Colonel Gulzar Uddin Ahmed turned public. Gulzar, one of the brightest army officers who were killed in the "armed rebellion", is best known for his efficient detection and operations against Islamist militants and terrorists. He was the man behind arrest of Jamaatul Mujahedin kingpin Shaikh Abdur Rahman.
Gulzar was known as one of the brightest army officers of the country. Because of his knowledge about the militants' network, Gulzar was a revered name in the country's law-enforcement and defence agencies.
Gulzar is a legend in the anti-terrorist and anti-Islamist drives. His skill, professionalism, knowledge and sincerity are beyond question. His commitment was unparallel. He was all along a resourceful and professional officer in regards to militancy, terrorism or any heinous acts. He was honest down to the core."
As the Awami League government's explicit commitments include a fight against terrorism and religious extremists, it was expected that the government would benefit from Gulzar's skills and knowledge on the matter. But he was transferred to BDR as the commander of Sylhet Sector at the end of January.
Colonel Gulzars voice was last heard by friends and colleagues over cellphone when the killings began inside the Pilkhana Headquarters around 9:00am.
Killers smashed his body. "Some of his relatives were too afraid to see the decomposing, ruined body," says a rescuer.
"Those who saw his body said his eyes might have been gouged out; his spinal cord was broken and his body bears the mark of terrible torture. Apparently, he was killed by gunshots," the rescuer adds.
A family member said his face was bloated. "It was impossible for anyone to recognise him from seeing that face."
On February 25, when the mutiny degenerated into a bloodbath inside the BDR HQ, Gulzar had no time to call his family. He last saw his family members at his Dhaka home earlier that morning.
In a frantic bid to resist the "mutineers", Gulzar called his former colleagues at the Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] repeatedly, seeking help.
Colonel Gulzars father Anwar Uddin Ahmed was killed by Pakistani occupation forces during the war of independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
Meanwhile, government is going to remove Home Minister Sahara Khatun from her position soon, for her severe failure in properly handling the BDR Massacre issue. State Minister for Home Affairs, Sohel Taj will also be removed from his post.
There is also indication of change in the Foreign Ministry. Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud [Member of Parliament] may replace Dr. Dipu Moni. Barr
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