Desk Reports:
Three more people have testified at the tribunal in the crimes against humanity case related to the shooting of six people at Chankharpool in the capital during the anti-discrimination student movement. They are Sanjida Khan Dipti, mother of Shaheed Shahariar Khan Anas, Hafez Rabbi Hossain, a participant in the movement, and Gafur Sawdagar. Gafur Sawdagar is the owner of the shop where Shaheed Ismamul Haque worked.
A total of 11 people have testified in this case so far.
This testimony was taken at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder on Sunday. Later, they were cross-examined by the defense lawyers.
Apart from ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are accused in this case. Of these, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan are absconding. Arrested Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has become a royal witness in this case.
Sanjida Khan Dipti, mother of Shaheed Shahariar Khan Anas, told the tribunal, ‘Anas was a 10th grade student of Gendaria Adarsh Academy. When the unarmed student protesters were being shot dead in July 2024, we were in great pain. On the morning of August 5, when I couldn’t find Anas at home, I went to his room. I found a letter on the desk there. It was written in the letter that he was going to the procession; he couldn’t stop himself. Anas wrote the letter to me.’
Regarding Anas’ death, Sanjida Khan said, “I later learned from Sourav, who was with Anas during the movement, and other eyewitnesses that on August 5, around 10 am, thousands of protesters were stopped by the police in the Chankharpul area on their way to Shaheed Minar. The police started firing sound grenades, rubber bullets and bullets. They then took shelter in various alleys including Nawab Katara Gali to save their lives. I also learned that Anas took shelter in Nawab Katara Gali. There, a policeman shot Anas. The murder was committed on the orders of Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Obaidul Quader and Abdullah Al-Mamun. I want the murderers to be hanged.”
Hafez Rabbi Hossain, who then participated in the movement, said in his statement, “I participated in the movement on August 5 last year. Many people, including Anas, were with us. At around 11 am, the police fired sound grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and bullets. We were forced to take shelter in Nawab Katara Street. Many people were injured in the shooting there. I was hit by a shrapnel bullet in the forehead. At around 12 pm, the police became more aggressive. A bullet hit someone next to me. At that time, the police shot Anas, who was sitting at the entrance to Nawab Katara Street. He was taken to the hospital. Later, I learned that Anas had been martyred.”
Rabbi Hossain blamed Sheikh Hasina, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Obaidul Quader, former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, police officers Sudip Kumar, Akhtarul Islam, Imrul, Arshad, Sujan, Imaz Hossain and Nasirul for the murder. He also demanded their hanging