Sub-Inspector Sheikh Afzalul Haque has applied to become a state witness in the Ashulia case involving the killing and burning of six victims. On Thursday, he submitted his petition to the International Crimes Tribunal-2, which also ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against eight accused in the case. The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, directed that the hearings begin after the accused were produced before the court earlier in the day. Among the 16 accused, former lawmaker Saiful Islam and seven others remain absconding. The tribunal has appointed lawyers to represent them.