24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found
Law enforcers arrest over 1,400 in 24 hours as crackdown intensifies; US issues security alert, students recount abductions
A day after the government issued a gazette formalising the 7% quota in public service, the nationwide crackdown on protesters and dissent intensified. Between 23 and 24 July 2024, law enforcement agencies arrested more than 1,400 individuals, including 641 from Dhaka, bringing the total number of arrests to over 4,500 in just eight days, from 18 to 24 July.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, "We will use all of our might to identify them one by one and make them face justice. We won't step back. All of these have been done by the anti-independence powers—BNP, Jamaat terrorists," accusing opposition forces of orchestrating the uprising.
Amid the sweeping arrests and growing concern over human rights violations, three key coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement—Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakr Majumder, and Rifat Rashid—were found after going missing for several days.
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We will use all of our might to identify them one by one and make them face justice. We won't step back. All of these have been done by the anti-independence powers—BNP, Jamaat terrorists.
Asif and Abu Bakr were reportedly picked up on 19 July from Hatirjheel and Dhanmondi, respectively. Both were blindfolded and released five days later at the same locations where they had been abducted. In contrast, Rifat Rashid managed to avoid detention by going into hiding.
In a Facebook post following his release, Asif Mahmud posted, "I was picked up from the Mahanagar residential area of Hatirjheel at 11:00 pm on 19 July. They tried to force me to call off the movement. I was given anaesthesia as I refused to do what they asked. Whenever I regained consciousness over the last four to five days, they injected me with anaesthesia again to keep me unconscious. I was left blindfolded at the same place from where I was abducted."
US citizens should practice vigilance and reconsider their travel plans.
His post has reignited public anger and drawn international attention to the treatment of student leaders during the movement.
Meanwhile, the official death toll rose to 201. Activists, however, claim the actual number may be significantly higher, with many casualties yet to be accounted for.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Dhaka issued a Security Alert for its citizens, advising against travel to Bangladesh and providing guidelines for those seeking to leave the country. "US citizens should practice vigilance and reconsider their travel plans," the alert read.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Former State Minister for ICT, confirmed that restrictions on social media platforms will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. "For now, all social media will remain shut," he stated.
Protesters continue to demand justice for the deaths and enforced disappearances, and many insist that no genuine dialogue can take place until the government meets their four demands: full internet restoration, withdrawal of the curfew, removal of law enforcement from university campuses, and guarantees of safety for movement leaders.
