Police killed two people in front of me: Asif

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiya, Adviser to the Ministry of LGRD and Sports, has testified as a witness before the International Crimes Tribunal, holding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, various leaders of the Awami League, the police officers who opened fire, and command authorities responsible for the killing of six people in Chankharpul, Dhaka, on August 5 last year, alleging crimes against humanity.

In his statement, Asif Mahmud said, “On August 5, 2024, in Chankharpul, Dhaka, two people were killed in front of me by police gunfire.”

He traced the sequence of events from the 2018 quota reform movement, the High Court verdict on quota restoration, and the subsequent anti-discrimination student movement, leading up to the 2024 popular uprising. He added, “I was a coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement during the 2024 popular uprising.”

He said, “At one point during the movement, personnel from various intelligence agencies contacted us to withdraw our protests. While being detained at the DB office, we were repeatedly told that we were brought there on the orders of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. We were warned that we would be killed if we did not comply. However, they (DB) mercifully spared our lives.”

Describing the Chankharpul killings, he said, “On that day, two people were killed in front of me by police gunfire. Later, I learned that six protesters were shot dead there. The police used Chinese rifles and shotguns. Around 1:30 pm that day, we learned that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and fled the country.”

He testified before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, attributing responsibility for the killings to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, leaders of the Awami League at various levels, the police officers who opened fire, and the command authorities.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Judge Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, deferred today’s testimony and scheduled the remaining testimony of Asif Mahmud for October 16.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, and other prosecutors attended the tribunal on behalf of the prosecution, while lawyers representing the accused were also present.

In the case filed over the killing of six people in Chankharpul on August 5 last year, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 formally framed charges on July 14 against eight accused, including former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman.