AL goons attacked symbolic funeral, coffin procession on 17 July: Nahid tells tribunal
In Badda, Uttara, Mirpur, Jatrabari, and elsewhere, police fired indiscriminately while Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League terrorists joined in the attacks, he says.
Highlights:
- Nationwide crackdown was "planned and state-run," Nahid testifies
- On 19 July, government took complete control of electronic media, he says
- Tribunal adjourns; more testimony expected tomorrow
The symbolic funeral prayer and coffin procession held at Dhaka University on 17 July last year during the mass uprising was attacked by the former ruling party Awami League, National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 today (17 September).
Police and Awami League goons opened fire on students and the public during the 2024 July Uprising, and the nationwide crackdown was both "planned and state-run," said Nahid, who was a key coordinator of the uprising, while testifying as the 47th witness in the crimes against humanity case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others.
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"On 15 July, women students at Dhaka University were attacked, and even those admitted to hospitals were not spared," he added.
Mentioning 16 July, Nahid said even after the deaths of six people, including Abu Sayed and Wasim, further attacks followed.
"The next day, a symbolic funeral prayer and coffin procession on campus was also attacked. That same day, students were forcibly evicted from residential halls," Nahid said in his testimony.
"In Badda, Uttara, Mirpur, Jatrabari, and elsewhere, police fired indiscriminately while Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League terrorists joined in the attacks. Many people were martyred or injured," he testified.
Nahid added that after the closure of Dhaka University on 17 July, attempts were made to pressure protesters into backing down, warning that repression would intensify unless they negotiated with the government.
"But we made it clear, standing on the blood of martyrs, there could be no dialogue with the government," he said.
Nahid said, as a continuation of the movement, a nationwide "complete shutdown" programme was announced on 17 July, he said, adding, in protest against the "killing of our brothers and sisters, we call on all students of the country, including people from all walks of life, to participate."
"Later, we, the leaders of the movement, faced threats to our lives. Therefore, we went into hiding to avoid arrest."
He said the movement gained momentum after a complete shutdown was called on 18 July, when public and students — particularly from madrasahs and private universities — joined the protests across the country.
"On 18 July, the internet was shut down across the country and on 19 July, we understand that the government has taken complete control of the electronic media. Because, no news of the movement or the injured and killed was being broadcast in the media."
Describing the then-government as "fascist," Nahid alleged that it had usurped power through three elections by denying citizens their right to vote, while also politicising state institutions.
He further claimed that in 2018, they suspected Sheikh Hasina's government never intended to permanently reform or abolish the quota system but was merely waiting for the opportunity to reinstate it — which, he said, became reality after the 2024 election.
According to him, the quota issue was "political, not judicial," and activists had no faith in the courts. "We knew the only way to achieve our demands was to hold ground on the streets," he told the tribunal.
The tribunal adjourned his testimony for continuation on Thursday (18 September). Prosecutors Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim and Mizanul Islam represented the state during the hearing.
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said Nahid — described as the "chief coordinator" of the movement — had so far delivered only part of his deposition.
"He began with the 2018 quota reform movement and the 2019 Ducsu election, before describing events up to 19 July 2024. The rest of his testimony will be recorded tomorrow," he said.
