The prime suspect Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader Nurul Islam Sarker and 11 others said this yesterday when Judge Shahed Noor Uddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 asked them to reply to the statements of 34 prosecution witnesses.

Four accused -- Mohammad Ali, Monir, Mahbub and Dulal -- submitted a list of defence witnesses for giving their statements yesterday, but the court fixed today for recording statements of the witnesses.

Nurul Islam Sarker and others will submit written statements to the court today pleading not guilty, court sources said.

Earlier, the tribunal recorded statements of prosecution witnesses including victim's brother complainant Matiur Rahman and son Zabid Ahsan Sohel.

About 20 gunmen fired on a rally of Shechchhasebak League, the volunteer front of the AL, and killed Ahsanullah Master at Naogaon near the legislator's house in Tongi on May 7 last year.

Schoolboy Omar Faruq Ratan was also killed and at least five others were injured in the incident.

The investigation officer (IO) on July 10 last year pressed charges against Nurul Islam Sarker for masterminding the assassination of the lawmaker with political motive.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Khalequzzaman, leader of a four-member Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team that probed the case, also accused 29 others for the killing after the 60-day probe.

Later, the home ministry shifted the case to the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 for its quick disposal.

The tribunal framed charges against Nurul Islam Sarker and 29 others on October 28 last year and its trial began on November 2 the same year with the deposition of the complainant.

Eight of the accused including Nurul Islam Sarker are now in the custody while Alamin, Pappu Sarker, Mohammad Ali and Monir are on bail. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Samaj leader Nurul Islam Dipu and 17 others are absconding.

Special Public Prosecutor Abdul Latif Talukder and advocates Mahbub Ahmed, M Sajwar Hossain, Mohammad Ali, Sahara Khatun and Momtazuddin Mehedi appeared for the state.