The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has recorded testimonies from three witnesses detailing widespread shootings, violent attacks, and deaths in Narayanganj, under the leadership of Shamim Osman and his associates during July mass uprising.
On Monday, the tribunal recorded the depositions of witnesses Mahmud Hossain, Md Swadhin Miah, and Mosharaf Bepari.
A crimes against humanity case is currently underway against 12 accused, including Shamim Osman, over allegations of killing ten people during the July mass uprising in Narayanganj.
It should be noted that earlier testimonies before the tribunal also alleged attacks and gunfire directed at protesters in Narayanganj under the leadership of Shamim Osman and his associates.
19 July firing and casualties
Witness Mahmud Hossain, 60, a contractor, Narayanganj District President of Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party, and Central President of Biplobi Garments Sramik Samhati, said he appeared before the tribunal to testify regarding the killings of students and workers during the anti-discrimination movement.
Hossain testified that after observing media coverage of Chhatra League attacks on students demanding quota reform at Dhaka University, followed by statements from the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina and instructions from the then road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, firing erupted in various parts of the country.
He added that following the death of Abu Sayed in Rangpur, they decided to participate in the movement in support of the students, building up resistance in Fatullah, Siddhirganj, Jalkuri Link Road, and Narayanganj Sadar.
During these protests, the party’s District General Secretary Abu Hasan Tipu was shot, whilst Hossain himself was injured by a tear gas shell.
Hossain stated that on 19 July, widespread firing took place under the leadership of Shamim Osman in Chashara and Jalkuri between approximately 2pm and 2.30pm, resulting in the deaths of several individuals by gunshot, including Adil and Yasin.
On the evening of that day, a child named Riya Gope was also shot dead on DIT Road in Narayanganj, according to his deposition. Hossain noted that he was present at the scene, captured video footage of the incident on his mobile phone, and showed the video to the investigating officer.
In his deposition, Hossain accused several individuals of involvement in the shooting, naming Shamim Osman, Shah Nizam, Ayan Osman, Tanvir Mohammad Titu, Viki, Azmeri Osman, journalist Raju Ahmed, Chhatra League leader Habibur Rahman Riyad, Chhatra League leader Sohanur Rahman Shubho, Sramik League leader Kawsar Ahmed Palash, Sramik League leader Sabuj Shikder, and Sramik League member Sabuj, alongside numerous other leaders and activists of Chhatra League and Sramik League.
He also described an attack on protesters in front of the Chashara Rifle Club on 4 August involving police and the specified individuals, during which his right big toe was damaged by a tear gas shell.
The second witness, 29-year-old Md Swadhin Miah, a garment factory worker in Godnail, Narayanganj, whose maternal cousin Badiuzzaman was killed in the movement, testified that they participated in protests at Jalkuri on 19 July under the leadership of Mahmud Hossain.
Swadhin claimed that Shamim Osman, Ayan Osman, Azmeri Osman, journalist Raju Ahmed, Titu, Viki, student leader Shubho, and numerous Chhatra League members armed with weapons fired upon student protesters, leaving many injured and dead, including Adil and Yasin.
Swadhin further stated that on 4 August at Chashara, Ayan Osman, Azmeri Osman, Viki, Titu, journalist Raju Ahmed, Awami League activists, and police attacked them and fired tear gas shells, causing pellet injuries to Abu Hasan Tipu and tear gas shell injuries to Mahmud Hossain.
Fatal assault of Badiuzzaman
Detailing events on 5 August, Hossain stated that whilst marching from their party office towards Kumudini via Kali Bazar following a protest rally, BTV journalist Helal warned them that Shamim Osman was positioned ahead with armed associates.
Upon assembling at Missionpara intersection and advancing towards Chashara, Shamim Osman’s men dragged away party activist Badiuzzaman from behind and beat him with iron rods, pipes, and tree branches at Shaheed Minar intersection.
Hossain testified that he saw Shamim Osman shouting “mar mar” (hit him, hit him), whilst Sabuj Shikder, Riyad, Shubho, Shafiq, Ayan Osman, Azmeri Osman, Rustom, Tanvir Mohammad Titu, and Chunnu Master, among others, beat Badiuzzaman, while an individual named Kabir took Badiuzzaman’s mobile phone.
Hossain said he was also assaulted and suffered a fractured head whilst rescuing Badiuzzaman.
He alleged that they encountered obstructions at six locations whilst transporting the injured Badiuzzaman to Victoria Hospital, reaching the entrance at approximately 4pm, where Shamim Osman’s men blocked them and an individual named Chunnu kicked the bloodied victim from the van.
After returning to the hospital with additional supporters, doctors declared Badiuzzaman dead. Recounting 5 August, Swadhin said that a journalist warned their procession about armed men belonging to Shamim Osman positioned ahead, and they only proceeded towards Chashara after Shamim Osman and his group had left.
Killing of Rakib in Signboard area
The third witness, 60-year-old Mosharaf Bepari, testified regarding the fatal shooting of his son Rakib, who was killed whilst participating in the movement in the Signboard area of Narayanganj on 21 July 2024.
Mosharaf stated that at approximately 2pm, he received a phone call from his son’s number informing him of Rakib’s death by gunshot, and upon taking his son to Khanpur Hospital from the scene, doctors declared him dead.
He alleged that Awami League activists obstructed him when he attempted to bring his son’s body to their home in Lalpur, prompting him to take the body to his village home in Barishal, where Rakib was buried in the family graveyard at 10.00 am on 22 July following a funeral prayer.
Mosharaf stated in his deposition that he heard Shamim Osman’s son, nephew, and Awami League activists had shot and killed his son. Mosharaf added that Rakib was the breadwinner of the family, and his other son is disabled.
