How Shiraj Shikdar was killed . . . .
Tarek Ali
Comrade Shiraj Shikdar, a freedom fighter and the leader of the Sarbahara
Party was cold bloodedly murdered after inhuman torture in custody at the
order of ‘father of the nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The article regarding
his death that was published in Dainik Shangram on 5th June 1992 is
reproduced
here (translated). This will not only reveal the account of his murder but
lot
of information regarding the activities of the party and about the overall
situation that prevailed in the country under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman can also
be known. The staff reporter reported:
"Yesterday that is Thursday at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s (C.M.M.)
court a case has been filed against 7 persons as accused including Awami
League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Tofayel Ahmed and
Mohammed
Nasim for the murder of Mr. Shiraj Shikdar, the leader of Purba Banglar
Sarbahara Party. Mr. Sheikh Mohiuddin Ahmed, the President of Shiraj Shikdar
Parishad has lodged the case. The accused were Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 1. Mr.
Mahabubuddin Ahmed ex superintendent of police. 2. Abdur Razzak MP 3.
Tofayel
Ahmed MP 4. Mr. E.A. Choudhury ex IG police and currently the Chairman of
Pubali Bank 5. Brig. (Retd) Kazi Nuruzzaman (Ex DG Jatiyo Rakkhi and Bahini
(JRB) and Ex Ambassador for Bangladesh in Sweden). 6. Mohammed Nasim MP &
Co.
The accuseds have been charged under section 302 and 109.
A noted engineer late Shiraj Shikdar was a freedom loving, conscious brave
freedom fighter. For the emancipation of the oppressed class he at first,
created a labour organization, then fought the liberation war and finally
formed the Purba Banglar Sharbahara Party to carry on with his struggle. As
his popularity and support was increasing with every passing day due to his
dedication and activities for the cause of the people, late Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman the then head of the government became jealous and alarmed, and being
worried and terrified to lose his power in face of growing un popularity he
unleashed a reign of terror on the workers of the Sarbahara Party. Even he
hatched up many conspiracies in different ways to kill Mr. Shiraj Shikdar,
the
party chief. In the report it was stated that the accused maintained close
contacts with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his associates and used to hold
secret
meetings. And the accused no. 1 through 6 were then placed in high offices,
thus they along with other associates participated and helped Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman to draw up the blue print to kill Shiraj Shikdar. They carried out
secret killing, kidnapping, arrest, torture and harassment of the workers of
the party to implement their blue print. Describing the arrest and murder of
Shiraj Shikdar in the report, it was said that at one stage late Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman and the accused took a decision to infiltrate government
agents
into the party to kill Shiraj Shikdar and destroy the party. One of E.A.
Choudhury’s close relations was also inducted as a government agent.
In this way on 1st January 1975 Shiraj Shikdar along with another party
member
were arrested from New market area of Chittagong and the same day they were
flown to Dhaka. They were brought to the old airport and from there they
were
taken to the headquarters of the special branch at Malibagh under heavy
escort
and special security arrangements. There both of the captives were separated
from each other and Shiraj Shikdar was subjected to inhuman torture. On 2nd
January evening he was taken to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Banga Bhaban by the
police and the special squad of JRB in a hand cuffed position. At that time
late Capt. (Retd) Mansoor Ali the then home Minister, all the accused (1-6),
Sheikh Kamal son of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni his nephew
were also present at the Banga Bhaban along with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. At
the
very first sight Sheikh Mujib started abusing Shiraj Shikdar. As he (Shiraj)
protested, all those who were present including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
pounced
on him. Even at that point Shiraj Shikdar demanded from Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman
to take necessary steps to stop the bank robbery by Sheikh Kamal and various
other misdeeds. He also criticized his policy of slavery of India. At this
Sheikh Mujib’s anger heightened and he became extremely agitated when Shiraj
asked him to take action against endemic corruption. At that point no 1
accused Mr. Mahbubuddin struck him on his head with his revolver. Shiraj
Shikdar fell down. Sheikh Kamal lost his temper and shot at him in front of
his father. The bullet hit his arm. Simultaneously all other accused started
beating him, slapping him, kicking him right and left in front of their
supreme leader as Shiraj Shikdar lay on the ground wounded. At one time he
lost his conscience.
After that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Capt. (Retd) Mansoor Ali and the other
accused took the decision to kill Shiraj Shikdar and ordered the no 1.
accused
to do the needful to execute the order. No 1 accused then took Shiraj
Shakdar
and brought him at the JRB headquarters at Sher e Bangla Nagar. There he was
tortured more. Later at about 11 p.m. on 2nd January he was shot and
murdered
in the JRB headquarters in presence of all the accused. The report further
stated that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the head of the government in his
statement at the national Parliament boastfully claimed, "Where is Shiraj
Shikdar now?" This was the clear manifestation of his revengeful attitude.
Then the no. 1 accused took his dead body and the members of the Special
Squad
to Savar police station Via Talbagh as planned. Next day his body was
transferred to the morgue. In the explanation why the case is being filed so
late, it was started that immediately after Shiraj Shikdar was killed his
father late Abdur Razzak went to the police station to file the case. But as
it was an autocratic dictatorship and JRB’s reign of terror prevailed, the
police refused to accept the case.
Because of the fear of state terror and subsequent political instability and
authoritarian rules and due to pressures from various quarters for last 17
years it was not possible to register the case. The complainer, a follower
of
the late Shiraj Shikdar presently took the risk of his life and came forward
to register the case to seek justice under relatively more democratic
conditions. After hearing the petition the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate
issued an order to the Tejgaon police station in charge to take necessary
legal action subject to necessary investigation. Advocate Farmanullah Khan
moved the petition. He was assisted by advocate Afzal Hossain." SEVEN
ACCUSED
including Razzak, Tofayel and Nasim. Case filed for the murder of COMRADE
SIRAJ.
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