[🇧🇩] Those who have laid down their lives to free Bangladesh

[Saif]

Private univ students demand justice for July-August massacre

Students from different private universities held a rally in Dhaka on Friday, demanding justice for the massacre in the July-August mass uprising.

www.newagebd.net

Private univ students demand justice for July-August massacre
Staff Correspondent 25 January, 2025, 00:29

Students from private universities gather in front of the National Museum in Dhaka to stand in solidarity with ‘March for Unity and Justice’ programme, demanding justice for the massacre in the July-August mass uprising, on Friday. | Sony Ramani

Students from different private universities held a rally in Dhaka on Friday, demanding justice for the massacre in the July-August mass uprising.

The Students Movement Against Discrimination, Combined Private Universities organised the rally titled March for Unity and Justice in front of the National Museum in the capital, which was the first event held by private universities students after the uprising.

They also called for state reform, ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights and providing proper treatment for the injured at the rally.

Kotha, a student of the East West University, said that while public universities initiated the movement against discrimination, it gained momentum with the participation of private university students, particularly from July 18.

Mentioning that private university students took to the streets after witnessing the killings of other students, she said, ‘It feels like we are failed warriors when we still have to demand proper treatment for those injured in the mass uprising.’

Another student, Md Rabiul Sani from American International University-Bangladesh, who was shot at Ashulia in Dhaka on August 4, said that there were expectations that everyone responsible for the massacre, including the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, would be brought to justice.

‘All citizens would be treated equally. The prices of daily commodities would be reduced. However, none of these issues were addressed by the interim government,’ he mentioned.

The students also stressed that victims from private universities were being neglected in terms of receiving proper treatment and financial assistance, emphasising that the mass uprising took place for a beautiful and safe Bangladesh, so it should not go in vain.

Representatives of around 60 universities from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions participated in the rally, said Monju, an organiser of the rally.

According to government data, 834 people were killed and 11,551 injured during the student-led mass uprising that began on July 1 with protests, demanding quota reform in civil service jobs and culminated in the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The government is still updating the data.​

 

[Saif]

Why is the govt indifferent, ask anguished families of martyrs

Even six months after the movement, the government has yet to compile a complete list of martyrs or ensure medical treatment for all injured individuals

en.prothomalo.com

Why is the govt indifferent, ask anguished families of martyrs
Editorial Desk
Updated: 03 Feb 2025, 20: 19

Families of the martyrs held a press conference and the injured persons blocked roads to demonstrate, serving as evidence that the government has not adequately fulfilled its responsibilities towards the families of the martyrs and those who were injured.

On Saturday the families of the martyrs held a press conference demanding national recognition for the martyrs of the July uprising, rehabilitation for each affected family and the swift completion of the trials of those involved in the killings. Meanwhile on Sunday the injured individuals from the July uprising staged a protest in the capital, blocking roads from the Rajaswa Bhabhan (NBR office building) in Agargaon to the TB hospital, demanding proper medical treatment. They alleged that, despite assurances the government has not taken steps to ensure their medical care.

Members of 20 affected families spoke at the press conference organised under the banner of the Central Group of Martyrs’ families. Among them were families who lost their sole earning members. It is inconceivable that the government would remain indifferent to the rehabilitation of those who sacrificed their lives for democracy and to ensuring proper medical treatment for those who were injured.

The families of the martyrs have also demanded arrangements for a meeting with the Chief Advisor. Additionally, they have announced plans for hunger strikes and street protests if their demands are not met.
Government policymakers frequently discuss national policies and plans, often commemorating the sacrifices of the martyrs.

However, there remains a lack of prioritisation in the government’s policies and planning. Otherwise, why would the families of the martyrs still be in distress six months after the government has taken over the responsibility? Why would the injured be forced to block roads in protests?

The government established the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation to provide support to the families of the martyrs and the injured. However, significant criticism has been directed at the slow progress and bureaucratic hurdles in implementing its initiatives.

Bithi, the wife of martyr Hafizur Rahman who was killed during the student uprising, informed Prothom Alo that her husband had been driver. They have two daughters, aged eight and three. The elder daughter was previously enrolled in a school, but due to financial constraints following Hafizur Rahman’s death, she had to transfer her to a madrasah. She now has no one to support her family.

Meanwhile, Saidur Rahman Khan, the grandfather of Shahriar Khan Anas, who was martyred on 5 August in Chankharpul, stated, “This government is our government, yet it has completely ignored our plight.”

Three months ago, the individuals injured in the July uprising staged a protest demanding medical treatment. At that time, several advisers assured them of action. While the government did take some steps to address their medical needs, the fact that many injured individuals are still not receiving proper treatment is evident from their continued protests on the streets. The government’s indifference toward the families of the martyrs and the injured is unacceptable.

Even six months after the movement, the government has yet to compile a complete list of martyrs or ensure medical treatment for all injured individuals. Does the government have an explanation for this delay? Why must the affected people repeatedly take to the streets to demand their rights?

We expect the government to immediately accept the legitimate demands of the martyrs’ family and arrange advanced medical treatment for the injured. The families of the martyrs have also called for the swift prosecution of those responsible for the killings. While the government may cite legal procedures in this regard, can it provide any justification for its failure to support the martyrs’ families or ensure proper treatment for the injured?​

 

[Saif]

July mass uprising deaths: How much more suffering to retrieve the bodies

Abul Hossain left his home wearing a yellow jersey, a lungi and shoes. On 5 August, he participated in the student-people's movement in Ashulia. Those who were with him reported that he was placed on a van after being shot. Since then, his wife, Lucky Akter, has searched everywhere for him-...

en.prothomalo.com

July mass uprising deaths: How much more suffering to retrieve the bodies
Mansura Hossain
Dhaka
Updated: 05 Feb 2025, 21: 25

Abul Hossain left his home wearing a yellow jersey, a lungi and shoes. On 5 August, he participated in the student-people's movement in Ashulia. Those who were with him reported that he was placed on a van after being shot. Since then, his wife, Lucky Akter, has searched everywhere for him- morgues of various hospitals, prisons and any possible location where he might be found.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Lucky Akter said, “At first I thought my husband was still alive. However, nearly 25 days after the incident, a video went viral showing bodies piled on a van in front of Ashulia police station. In that video, I saw a man wearing yellow jersey. The moment I saw it, I recognized him immediately. He had left home that day wearing the very jersey.”

After extensive searching, it was discovered that two individuals had been buried at a location in Ashulia. The description provided by Lucky Akter, including the clothing and physical details of her husband, matched one of them. In the meantime, she filed a case at the police station, seeking justice for husband's killing.

Finally, nearly six months later, on 1 February, Ashulia police exhumed two bodies from the cemetery in the Ambagan area of Bogabari. Among them, one was Abul Hossain, 33, husband of Lucky Akter, claimed by her. To confirm the identity, DNA tests will be conducted on both exhumed bodies.

Since their marriage in 2012, Lucky has been living in Ashulia with her husband, who was a day labourer. Now, she moves between her father’s house and her in-law’s home with her two children, aged 11 years and 12 months. Despite clear evidence in the video, Abul Hossain has not been recognised as a martyr in the official gazette since his body was not recovered earlier. As a result, his family has not received any financial assistance. In September last year, his death certificate officially recorded the cause of death as murder.

There are no official statistics on how many families have yet to receive the bodies of their loved ones, like Abul Hossain. Furthermore, unless the family files a case or submits an application for identification, it is not possible to exhume the body or conduct a DNA test without a court order.

To finalise the list of those killed in the movement, the government has established a special cell on the mass uprising. On 10 November, a public notice was issued, requesting families of deceased, missing or unidentified individuals buried as unclaimed bodies to submit applications with proof of identity. However, Muhammad Aslam Molla, a member of the cell, stated that very few such applications have been received from families.

No list of missing or unclaimed bodies

Like Abul Hossain’s family, Md Hasan’s family also searched for him desperately. On 5 August, Hasan left home wearing a white Payjama and Panjabi. After that, there was no trace of him. Hasan worked at an electrical equipment shop in Kaptan Bazar, Dhaka and lived in the Suti Khalpar Balur Maath area of Jatrabari. His father is a farmer in Bhola. Hasan was the eldest of two siblings.

Hasan’s uncle, Nure Alam, searched numerous times at the morgue of Dhaka Medical College but found no sign of his nephew. However, on 12 January, with the assistance of the special cell on the July mass uprising under the anti-discrimination student movement, Nure Alam was able to match Hasan with an unidentified body at the forensic morgue of Dhaka Medical College.

On 10 January, the special cell on the July Mass uprising first revealed information about six unclaimed bodies at the morgue of Dhaka Medical College (under Shahbagh police station). During this process, the cell members also learned about another body from Jatrabari police station stored in the same morgue. This body is now believed to be Hasan’s.

Nure Alam told Prothom Alo last Monday that DNA samples from Hasan’s parents were collected by the CID laboratory 20 days ago for testing, but the results have yet to be released. In his search for Hasan, he even had to pay bribes in multiple places.

Hasan Inam, secretary of the special cell on the July mass uprising formed under the anti-discrimination student movement, told Prothom Alo that it is unacceptable that, even after six months, there is still no complete list of missing individuals or those buried as unclaimed bodies. He further stated that if the government had wanted, it could have compiled a list of the missing alongside the names of the martyrs and the injured.

The family of Muhammad Hridoy, 20, has yet to find his body. In front of Sharif General Hospital in Konabari, Gazipur, a police officer approached Hridoy, placed a gun against his back and pulled the trigger. There is even video footage showing police dragging Hridoy’s body into an alley. However, no further footage exists beyond that point. Since 5 August, his family has been searching for his body.

Due to financial hardship, Hridoy worked as an auto-rickshaw driver in Konabari while also studying at Hemnagar Degree College in Tangail. The International Truth Justice Project and Tech Global Institute conducted a forensic analysis of Hridoy’s video footage and produced a documentary. This documentary included the scene of Hridoy being shot, which reignited discussion about his case.

As Hridoy’s body has not been found, his family has not received any financial assistance, unlike the families of other martyrs of the July mass uprising. He has also not been included in the official list of the martyrs. On 26 August, his brother-in law, Md Ibrahim, filed a case at Konabari police station, accusing the police of shooting Hridoy dead and concealing his body.

Speaking to Prothom Alo over the phone, Hridoy’s elder sister Ms Jasmine said, “There is a video evidence of the police shooting my brother. His body has not been sent outside Bangladesh. Even if we do not get his full remains, we at least want his bones back."

Demand for body identification

The responsibility for burying unclaimed bodies, as assigned by the City Corporation, lies with Anjuman Mufidul Islam. The organisation has been burying unclaimed bodies at the cemetery adjacent to the Rayerbazar Martyrs’ Memorial.

According to their records, 80 unclaimed bodies were buried at Rayerbazar Cemetery in July and 34 in August. However, it is not possible to determine how many of them died during the movement or was shot.

Relatives, after identifying unclaimed bodies from photographs at Anjuman Mufidul Islam, rush to Rayerbazar Martyrs’ Memorial Cemetery in search of their beloved ones. In block 4, small bamboo sticks are placed at regular intervals to mark the graves of unclaimed bodies, but there are no other identifying markers. Families of those buried as unclaimed bodies have been demanding DNA testing to confirm the identities of their loved ones.

Ahmed Ferdous, head of the Forensic DNA Lab at the Criminal

Investigation Department (CID), has recommended forming a permanent ommission or cell comprising representatives from all relevant agencies to identify missing persons unidentified bodies. He stated that it is difficult for the CID or any single organisation to handle this task alone. He also emphasised the need for an online database to record information on every missing person and unidentified body.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus calls victims of July Uprising ‘Creators of history’

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has paid tribute to those killed and wounded in the July Uprising, calling them “creators of history”. While distributing state assistance to the families of those killed in the uprising and those injured, the chief advisor said: “You are living histo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Yunus calls victims of July Uprising ‘Creators of history’
bdnews24.com
Published :
Feb 10, 2025 22:51
Updated :
Feb 10, 2025 22:51

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has paid tribute to those killed and wounded in the July Uprising, calling them “creators of history”.

While distributing state assistance to the families of those killed in the uprising and those injured, the chief advisor said: “You are living history. I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart.”

“A nation that cannot remember history will never develop as a nation,” he added.

The financial cheque handover ceremony took place on Monday at the office of the chief advisor in Dhaka’s Tejgaon.

During the event, Yunus presented cheques to the families of the 21 victims and the seven individuals injured in the uprising.

According to a media statement issued by the Chief Advisor’s Office, this marks the beginning of the state's process to provide financial assistance to the victims.

At the ceremony, the families of the three people killed and three others injured shared their perspectives.

They raised concerns about the trial of the murders, state honours, financial assistance, and rehabilitation.

Some relatives were overcome with emotion as they recounted their experiences from the July events.

Yunus said: “I always think that the sacrifices of those, for whom we can call the country a new Bangladesh, cannot be measured by any criteria.”

Addressing the victims’ families, the chief advisor said: “From today, they have officially become part of the government. This is institutional recognition. Beyond this, everyone in society must accept your responsibility.”

Commenting on the ongoing pursuit of justice for all murders and disappearances, Yunus said: “If justice is done immediately, it becomes injustice. The main thing about justice is that it must be just; there must be no injustice.”

He also urged the public to remain vigilant, saying: “Keep a vigilant eye so that there is no violence and clashes in the country.”

WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT GIVING TO JULY VICTIMS?

According to the government's decision, those killed in the July uprising will be officially recognised as "July Martyrs," while the injured will be called "July Warriors”.

Each martyr's family will receive a one-time financial assistance of Tk 3 million.

Of this amount, Tk 1 million will be provided through National Savings Certificates in the 2024-25 fiscal year, with the remaining Tk 2 million to be distributed through National Savings Certificates in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Each martyr's family will also receive a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000.

Working members of these families will be given priority for government and semi-government jobs.

The "July Warriors" will receive treatment based on two criteria.

Those with serious injuries, classified under "Category A," will be granted a one-time payment of Tk 500,000.

Of this, Tk 200,000 will be provided in cash, via bank draft, during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with the remaining Tk 300,000 allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The seriously injured will also be provided with a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000.

They will be entitled to lifelong medical care at multiple government hospitals, and if recommended by the medical board, they may be sent abroad for treatment.

They will also receive necessary training and rehabilitation facilities to support their employment prospects.

Under "Category B," the “July Warriors” will receive a one-time payment of Tk 300,000.

Of this, Tk 100,000 will be provided during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with the remaining Tk 200,000 allocated for the following fiscal year.

They will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 15,000, along with necessary training for employment.

They will also be given priority for positions in government and semi-government jobs.

“July Warriors” will be issued identity cards, which will grant them access to multiple government benefits when presented.

So far, the government has officially recognised 834 individuals as "martyrs" of the July Uprising.

The list of the injured has also been compiled and will be gazetted shortly.​

 

[Saif]

EX-MINISTER HOUSE ATTACK: Students hold coffin procession as injured fellow dies

A student who was injured in a counter attack by local people allegedly over attacking on the ousted Awami League government’s liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque on February 7 night, died while undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital Wednesday afternoon...

www.newagebd.net

EX-MINISTER HOUSE ATTACK: Students hold coffin procession as injured fellow dies
Staff Correspondent 13 February, 2025, 00:06

A student who was injured in a counter attack by local people allegedly over attacking on the ousted Awami League government’s liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque on February 7 night, died while undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital Wednesday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Kashem, 17, a resident under Gacha police station in Gazipur city, who died at about 3:00pm on Wednesday at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, according to police and victim’s family.

‘The body was kept at the Dhaka Medical morgue for autopsy,’ said DMCH police outpost in-charge Md Faruk.

He said that Kashem had been taken to the DMCH at about 2:00am on February 8 in a critical condition, hours after he was injured in Gazipur.

Protesting at Kashem’s death, the Students Against Discrimination held a coffin procession at about 9:00pm on Wednesday following Kashem’s namaz-e-janaza at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital Dhaka, demanding banning the Awami League.

Central convener of the platform Hasnat Abdullah in a Facebook post announced the coffin procession programme. He also announced coffin processions in districts, upazilas and unions across the country.

At least 15 students were injured in the counter attack as several dozens of students allegedly went to attack the residence of Mozammel.

A case was filed with the Gazipur Sadar police station on February 9, mentioning names of 239 people and 200-300 unnamed others over the attack on members of the Students against Discrimination.

Gazipur Sadar police station officer-in-charge Md Mehedi Hasan told New Age that at least 160 people, including 28 on Wednesday, had been arrested so far in this connection.​

 

[Saif]

15 killed in 6 hrs even after Hasina’s departure

When the helicopter carrying former PM Sheikh Hasina, who was fleeing to India in the face of the mass uprising of the students and people, was crossing the border at around 2.30 pm, a massacre was unfolding in Savar

en.prothomalo.com

15 killed in 6 hrs even after Hasina’s departure
Md Abdullah Al Hossain
Dhaka
Updated: 06 Feb 2025, 10: 59

People carrying a man hit by bullet in front of the Lab Zone in Savar File photo

5 August 2024. When the helicopter carrying former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was fleeing to India in the face of the mass uprising of the students and people, was crossing the border at around 2.30 pm, a massacre was unfolding in Savar near Dhaka with intermittent fire from the police. There were ambushes in at least four places.

At least 15 people were killed there in just six hours after Sheikh Hasina fled the country. As many as 10 of them were students. The remaining of the deceased were day labourers and low income people. Besides, some 33 persons sustained severe bullet wounds in these incidents. This came up in a Prothom Alo investigation.

The protesting students and people came face to face with the policemen in front of the police station right before the evening. The police were equipped with lethal weapons while the students and people only had brickbats and sticks. All of sudden, the police started firing indiscriminately in the narrow lane filled with people and students.

The police opened fire even at the end of the day as they were fleeing from their stations. When the entire country was celebrating the fall of the government, it was an evening of terror for the residents of Savar.

During two months of investigation, Prothom Alo collected and analysed footage of at least 400 videos of these incidents and compiled them to make a documentary titled Savar Massacre: In the Six Hours After Hasina Fled.

Non-stop firing on the highway

The agitated students and people brought out a procession from the Jahangirnagar University campus with various slogans against Awami League. This procession was heading towards Ganabhaban. Around 11:00, the procession started gaining momentum as students from Ashulia Bypail joined.

Meanwhile, the police had taken a strong position in the Savar bus stand area since morning to prevent any procession from entering Dhaka. Local Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders and activists with firearms were along with the police there. There had been intermittent fire in the lanes and the highways since the morning that day.

At around 11: 30 am, madrasah student Md Hasibur Rahman, 17, was shot. About an hour later another student Md Sazzad was shot. They both succumbed to their injuries later.

Meanwhile the procession brought out from the Jahangirnagar University to two and a half hours to reach the Savar bus stand area. The situation turned tense there. In the meantime, the news that the army chief would address the nation at 2:00 pm spread throughout the procession. As soon as the procession tried to move forward to Dhaka upon hearing the news, it was met with heavy police resistance, with tear gas and pellets being fired.

However, the protesters did not back off. To prevent them from moving ahead, the police were firing with lethal weapons. The protesters started to run away to save their lives. There are a number of videos of people carrying numerous injured persons who were hit by the bullets.

Eyewitness Md Mostafizur Rahmam said he saw three persons falling right beside him after being shot. Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said, “He was shot and fell in front of me. It made a hole in the side of his neck. Right next to him someone suddenly fell to the ground. The bullet probably got him in the chest or abdomen. Another fell to the right of him.”

Another teenager named Muzahid Mallik was shot dead. Auto-rickshaw driver Sujan Mia was shot right after. Sujan was shot on his chest and waist.

The highway became vacant following that. Although a large portion of the protesters returned after hearing the news of Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country, a part of the protesters were scattered around in front of the New Market. Al-Amin was shot there.

At around 2:40 pm, the police backed off a little from the Savar bus stand and took position at the Pakeeza U-loop on the western side of the road. They were accompanied by the local Awami League leaders and activists there.

Nafisa Hossain was shot dead in front of the Pakeeza Model Mosque. A bullet hit the left of her chest and came out at the back, to the right.

At around 2:53 pm, police entered the Thana road from the Dhaka-Aricha highway. But they were still firing towards the highway. At that time, 10th grader Alif Ahmed Siyam, who was hiding behind the road divider, was shot.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Tania Ahmed, Alif Ahmed Siyam’s mother, said, “When he raised his head to look over the divider, the bullet hit him in the right eye and came out at the back. He fell to the ground immediately.”

Massacre in front of the police station

A portion of the protesting students moved towards Dhaka to celebrate the fall of the government. The other portion stayed put in Savar to create a resistance against police firing and moved forward to the Savar police station. They were chanting slogans that – ‘Sheikh Hasina has fled, Sheikh Hasina has run away.”

Later, at around 3:50 pm the police and protester came face to face at intersection near the Savar police station. The police force moved inside the police station at around 4:30 pm and locked up the main gate from inside. They urged the students to calm down with a mike from inside. Meanwhile, students and locals thronged in front of the police station. The students and general people increase in number in front of the police station. After a while, the police fired tear-shells from the roof of the mosque inside the police station. Then they started lethal gunfire.

A local trader in front was shot 18-19 times in his left hands and 20-22 times on right hands with pellets within seconds.

Speaking to Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity, he said, “I fell down immediately. I crawled past at least 5 shops. The skin and flesh on the knees were scraped off. Then I lost consciousness.”

A man in a red t-shirt was seen lying along the boundary wall of a hospital opposite to the police station. His identity could not be confirmed.

Schoolboy Safwan Akhter was shot dead at the intersection area. A bullet smashed his right hand and another hit on the right side of his chest. The 15-year-old was shot dead at the spot while demonstrating.

Worker Al Amin was shot dead there too. The bullet pierced through the left side of his chest and came out the back at the right. And auto-rickshaw driver Md Rafique was shot in between his chest and abdomen. He too died on the spot.

By that time, the intersection area became vacant. The students and people started thronging the Muktir Mor at around 5:15 pm. After the last round of firing, the crowds had grown.

The situation escalated at the Muktir Mor (an intersection) within a minute with the slogan – “direction action, Savar people into action! Direct action!”

People scattered around Muktir Mor and different other places started moving towards the Chowrasta (another intersection). More than 100 people thronged there and the area turned into a battlefield. Police “fired bullets like rain”.

Video footage of the incident shows protesters fleeing as the police started firing. Numerous gunshots could be hard in the last 15 seconds of the video. People were seen trying to save the lives of people who have been shot. A number of bodies had been lying on the road for a long time.

Bus driver Manik Hossain was lying right in front of the police after being shot by them. He lost consciousness five minutes after being shot.

The police continued the firing for at least half an hour. Speaking to Prothom Alo, student Nazmul Hossain shared the terrible experience that he went through that day.

“As I was running I felt something hit my foot like a 1000-volt-shock. I saw my big toe was hanging loose, shaking. A bone was sticking out of my heel. It was all white,” he recalled.

Prothom Alo has information of four people being shot dead there. They are – Nishan Khan, Tanjir Khan Munna, Abdul Ahad Shaikat and Md Mithu.

Student Mithu was shot in his chest. He died at the Muktir Mor on the way to the hospital. Another student named Tanjir Khan died of excessive bleeding after being shot in his thigh.

Nishan Khan had a wound on the back side of his head. He died at the hospital.

Ambush one after another

Firing was still on in the New Market area when a team of police took stance in the Thana bus stand area after Sheikh Hasina’s departure. There was intermittent firing for 20 minutes. Two other students - Abdul Quayyum and Shrabon Gazi - were shot to death there by 2:45 pm.

Quayyum’s friend Al Amin said, “Suddenly I saw Quayyum falling to the ground in slow motion. I still didn’t realise Quayyum had been hit. He fell down and when we were lifting him, we saw blood trickling out from his side. The bullet hit him in the kidney damaging everything inside. I think the bullet came from across the road. It was shot from the roof.”

The witnesses suspect Quayyum was shot from the multi-storeyed City Centre on the other side of the road. Seeing suspicious movement of people in red clothes on the roof of the building, the agitated mob vandalised the building.

There was another incident of sneak attack in the Thana bus stand area at around 3:00 pm. Police fired bullets from the road while some other unidentified person opened fire from a building nearby. The agitated protesters attacked the local popular hospital suspecting that the gunshots were coming from that building.

Later, the people formed a procession to move forward. The procession faced another round of ambush as soon as it crossed the Enam Medical College. The aggrieved people then attacked a high-rise building nearby. They vandalised the ground floor but did not find anybody.

There was another round of ambush around 5:15 pm at the Muktir Mor. People raided the Zunaid Tower suspecting that the bullets were fired from that building. But they couldn’t find anybody.

Gunshots targeting upper body parts

The Prothom Alo investigation has identified 15 persons who have been shot to death in the Savar upazila from noon to evening on 5 August. As many as 13 of them were shot on the upper parts of their bodies. Four of them sustained lethal bullet wounds and one was shot on the neck. Nine of them were shot in between chest and waist and one died after being shot in the thigh.

Police opened fire while fleeing

After killing and injuring a number of people, the police were looking for ways to flee. Some members of the police fled through the river. Many of the police members put off their uniform to flee. It became easier as it was already evening by that time.

However, most of the police members came out through the Thana road in a convoy. They were still firing from the convoy.

At least 150 police members were marching in front of the police convoy followed by some motorcycles. The motorcycles were ahead of a convoy of 13 cars. There was a pick up van, an armoured car, ambulance, microbus, leguna (locally made public transport) and a truck in the convoy.

The locals claim there were local leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies. However, the claim couldn’t be verified. The police continued firing in the nearby lanes when the convoy was on the highway.

Relentless sounds of gunshots spread fear among the residents of Savar upazila. In the end, the police convoy moved towards the cantonment.

* This report appeared on the print and online versions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu​