An ophthalmologist from the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIOH) provided a chilling testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Monday, recalling the horrific scenes she witnessed during the July mass uprising.
The testimony was presented in the ongoing case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
Dr. Zakia Sultana Neela, an assistant professor at NIOH, detailed her role in treating victims who suffered severe eye injuries during the protests.
She explained that on July 17, 2024, the hospital began receiving patients, including five individuals with injuries caused by metallic pellets and bullets.
The situation quickly escalated, and by the following day, more than 100 individuals were admitted, many of them young protesters between the ages of 14 and 25.
“I witnessed a scene I will never forget. Victims were holding their eyes, some with blood streaming from both eyes. Their faces were covered in blood, contorted in agony,” Dr. Neela recalled.
She further stated that she and her colleagues worked tirelessly, conducting surgeries on 10 operating tables until late in the evening on July 18. The situation was similar the following day, with most of the injuries caused by pellets and bullets. Some victims sustained corneal perforations, ruptured sclerae, and, in extreme cases, completely ruptured eyeballs.
Dr. Neela also highlighted the overwhelming number of patients treated in the days that followed. “Between August 4 and 6, 2024, the hospital saw a surge in patients,” she said. “By the end of our treatment, 493 patients had lost sight in one eye, 11 had lost vision in both eyes, 28 were severely impaired in both eyes, and 47 suffered severe impairment in one eye.”
Fear and insecurity among the victims were palpable. Many patients, fearful of arrest, used pseudonyms or fake mobile numbers when seeking treatment. “For their safety, patients often provided incorrect details, including fake ID card numbers,” Dr. Neela noted.
The tribunal had indicted the three accused, Hasina, Kamal, and Al-Mamun, on July 10, for their involvement in crimes against humanity during the uprising. A notice issued by the ICT-1 on June 17 instructed Hasina and Kamal to surrender by June 24, 2025. If they failed to comply, the trial would proceed in their absence. Intelligence reports suggested that the two accused were hiding in India, prompting the prosecution to bring forward five charges of mass killings and crimes against humanity.