Members of the police, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and RAB opened fire on protesters in Merul Badda, Dhaka, on 5 August 2024, prosecution witness Md Nabi Hossain Sajib testified before the International Crimes Tribunal-1.
In his deposition, Sajib said he was injured in the firing and two others were killed, with a bullet penetrating one victim’s stomach and exiting through the back, whilst another victim was shot in the lower abdomen with the bullet exiting through the back.
He gave this testimony on Tuesday, during the trial proceedings concerning charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising against Bangladesh Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and Awami League Presidium Member Qamrul Islam.
The tribunal recorded the deposition in a case involving allegations against the accused regarding the deaths of 23 protesters in Rampura-Badda area.
The 22-year-old witness, who hails from Shahrasti in Chandpur, currently lives in Merul Badda and works as a grill mechanic.
He told the tribunal that he joined the movement to protest against the torture inflicted upon students, adding that his name is listed under category “C” in the government-published gazette of July warriors.
Events of 18-20 July
Recounting the events between 18 and 20 July 2024, Sajib said he took part in the movement in front of BRAC University in Merul Badda on 18 July. He returned home that day after police, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and helmet-wearing forces blocked the road.
On 19 July 2024, he returned to the front of BRAC University after Jummah prayers.
According to his testimony, police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League members opened fire without warning, killing three individuals – one in North Badda, one in front of BRAC University, and another near Middle Badda U-turn.
After many were injured, Sajib along with other protesters assisted in transporting the wounded to hospital using rickshaws and vans. He vomited upon seeing blood on the road and subsequently went home.
On 20 July 2024, he rejoined the protest in front of BRAC University.
As protesters advanced towards Rampura, shots were fired at them from the main road in front of TV Centre, leaving two people dead and many injured, who were also conveyed to hospital in rickshaws and vans with the help of protesters.
Injured in 5 August shooting
Describing the incident on 5 August 2024, Sajib said he joined the movement on Road 15 in Merul Badda, where his residence is located. After having lunch at home, he returned to the protest venue at around 2:30pm.
He said after a large crowd assembled, protesters decided to move onto the main road, which had been surrounded by police.
Despite the cordon, when protesters proceeded onto the main road, police, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and RAB members opened fire on them.
Sajib was injured in the shooting and two others were shot dead. Carrying nearly 150 pellets in his body, he displayed bullet marks on various parts of his frame before the tribunal.
He recounted that one of the deceased was shot in the stomach with the bullet exiting through the back, while the other was shot in the lower abdomen with the bullet exiting through the back.
Pellets remain in body
Following the shooting, Sajib received medical treatment at Kurmitola Hospital and Dhaka Combined MIlitary Hospital (CMH).
He said 25 pellets were extracted from his body during treatment at Dhaka CMH, and doctors informed him that another pellet lodged in his backbone could not be removed.
Towards the end of his deposition, Sajib held Rashed Khan Menon, Kamrul Islam, and the then Sheikh Hasina government responsible for the casualties during the July-August 2024 mass uprising, demanding justice for those involved.
Earlier testimonies in the case against Menon and Kamrul Islam also described incidents of firing and casualties among protesters in Rampura-Badda area.
The prosecution alleges that the accused played a role in the casualties through imposition and enforcement of a curfew during the July movement.
