SAD preparing list of SPs, OCs of police stations where protesters were killed during July Uprising

The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) is preparing a list of officers-in-charge (OCs) of police stations and superintendents of police (SPs), along with senior commanding officers, of the police units under which students and civilians were killed during the 2024 July Uprising.

The organisation also plans to file cases against those listed after submitting the document to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), SAD President Rifat Rashid said at a press conference held at the Madhur Canteen on the Dhaka University campus yesterday evening (4 January). 

Rifat said they are compiling details of all police stations across the country under whose jurisdiction students and members of the public were killed during the July uprising, from OCs and SPs to higher-ranking commanding officers. 

He further said they would immediately hold talks with the law adviser and the home adviser to press for the issuance of an indemnity ordinance, to be confirmed by the president. "We will exert pressure to ensure it is issued. This process has already begun today," he added.

Earlier, on Saturday night, the SAD staged a sit-in at Shahbagh after the arrest of its leader Mahdi Hasan, who had allegedly threatened the OC of Shayestaganj Police Station in Habiganj by claiming involvement in arson and violence during the July Uprising. The group placed two demands during the protest.

At yesterday's press conference, the organisation added another demand, raising the total to three:

1. Mahdi must be released unconditionally, not just granted bail, and the OC of Shayestaganj Police Station in Habiganj must be withdrawn.

2. An ordinance must be issued by the president within the next 24 hours granting indemnity for all activities carried out by students, activists and the public who participated in the uprising between 1 July and 8 August.

3. The contributions of members of the army, navy and air force, as well as officials and employees of military, paramilitary and civilian administrations who played key roles in the uprising, must be officially documented. Their recognition, honours and legal protection must be ensured, a permanent commission formed to stop workplace harassment, and officers deprived of promotions since 25 February 2009 due to repression must be promoted and posted to important and sensitive positions.

Rifat said only part of their first demand had been met. 

"Mahdi has not been released unconditionally; he has only been granted bail in one case. Therefore, our first demand has not been fully fulfilled. Our struggle must continue," he said.