Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

It all began with Abu Sayeed on 16 July. That day, between 2:30pm and 3pm, clashes broke out between students and police in front of Begum Rokeya University. To disperse the students, police fired tear gas and baton-charged them. 

Although everyone else retreated, Abu Sayeed stood with a stick in his hand, arms spread wide. From approximately 50-60 feet away, police fired shotgun pellets at him. The police were positioned in front of the university's main gate. 

Even then, Abu Sayeed did not move; he held his ground. Eventually, after being struck by several pellets and becoming grievously injured, he collapsed to the ground. Before other students could take him to hospital, he died. That was the beginning, and after that, until their escape on 5 August, the Awami League government carried out a planned massacre. 

Although Abu Sayeed's death occurred in Rangpur, later the highest number of killings took place in the capital Dhaka. Several areas of the city had comparatively higher death tolls, aptly described by many as 'killing fields'. 

Among them were Uttara, Jatrabari, Badda-Rampura-Banasree area, Mirpur, and Mohammadpur. Near Dhaka, Savar too witnessed a horrific massacre.

The hand with which Mugdho was distributing water held his sense of responsibility towards the country. But in an instant, a bullet ended all his dreams, his family, and his future. As Mugdho's blood flowed on the street, his friends struggled but could not immediately take him to hospital.

Within just three weeks, from 16 July to 5 August, law enforcement agencies and activists from the Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League killed at least 858 people while total protest-related deaths were estimated to be as high as 1,400. As July returns this year, it is time to revisit these 'killing fields' of Dhaka.

Jatrabari: The most brutal site of mass killings

In Jatrabari, Shonir Akhra and surrounding areas, protests in the early hours of 18 July saw participation not only from students but also from people of all backgrounds, including women. Despite the police's efforts to disperse the crowd with tear gas and sound grenades, the protesters retaliated by throwing bricks. 

Many believe that these areas are where protesters first showed the courage to confront law enforcement agencies directly. Consequently, these areas also saw the highest number of fatalities, with at least 86 people killed during the protests.

One of the victims was Mehedi Hasan, a staff reporter for Dhaka Times, who was covering the clashes in Jatrabari. He was shot in the head. 

Another notable incident in Jatrabari, captured in a viral Facebook video, showed a young man being shot multiple times at close range by a police officer. As a second young man tried to intervene and help, the police continued firing. This incident reportedly took place on 20 July. 

The victim was later identified as Imam Hasan, a 19-year-old 12th grader at Narayanganj Government Adamjee Nagar MW College. Interestingly, his father, Moynal Hossain, was also a police officer. 

Even on 5 August, the day Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power, at least 36 more people were killed in Jatrabari due to police firing. The residents of this area were extremely angered by police actions, who fired indiscriminately throughout the protests. 

In response, the general public sought revenge against police officers whenever possible. As a result, seven policemen, one RAB member and one Ansar member were killed in Jatrabari. The area also witnessed an incident where a policeman was killed and subsequently hanged by an angry mob.

Uttara: Where Mugdho fell

Among those killed in the July Uprising, the death of Mir Mugdho was one of the most shocking ones that became a cause célèbre. On 18 July, clashes spread into the city's lanes and alleys. 

Just before dusk, in Uttara's Azampur area, the bright and courageous young man Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho was distributing water among the tired students. His voice called out, "Who needs water, anyone needs water?" 

The hand with which Mugdho was distributing water held his sense of responsibility towards the country. But in an instant, a bullet ended all his dreams and his future. As Mugdho's blood flowed on the street, his friends struggled but could not immediately take him to hospital.

But it was not only Mugdho. In total, at least nine people lost their lives in Uttara that day during the prolonged clashes between quota protesters and police, marking it as one of the first major sites of violence.

Between 16 July and 3 August, at least 31 people, including police officers, were killed in Uttara. Even after Hasina fled on 5 August, the situation in Uttara remained intense, with several more people losing their lives. The exact number of fatalities, however, remains unknown.

Savar: A battlefield 

On 18 July, following a nationwide shutdown call by quota reform activists, protests spread to Savar, where MIST student Shaikh Ashhabul Yamin was shot dead by police — the first fatality in Savar. The area turned into a battlefield, with multiple protesters injured by gunfire, confirmed by authorities of the Enam Medical College Hospital.

On 19 July, violence intensified as police reportedly began using lethal ammunition. Protester Al Amin was shot dead in Radio Colony; the bullet entered through his back and exited through his abdomen. 

Eyewitnesses said BGB also fired, but it remained unclear whose bullet killed him. That day, local MP Saiful Islam arrived in Savar with around 1,500 armed followers, many of them armed with pistols, shotguns and other firearms, to suppress protesters in Radio Colony.

On 20 July, police and security forces acted more aggressively. Several protesters, including a child, were shot dead at Savar bus stand. By 23 July, at least 10 deaths from gunfire had been confirmed at Enam Medical College Hospital alone — one on 18 July, one on 19 July, and the rest on 20 July, all shot while protesting. 

Despite these deaths, on 25 July, former DIG of police Syed Nurul Islam told The Business Standard that police had no record of casualties. 

That day, when asked by TBS about the casualties at a press conference at Savar Model Police Station, he said, "We have no record of any casualties, as no one has informed us. We are searching. If anyone has been killed or injured, we will investigate who they were, under what ideology, and how they were killed, and take action accordingly." 

On 4 August, as students declared a nationwide non-cooperation movement, protests erupted again. That day, morning remained calm but from 11am, Jahangirnagar University students began gathering on campus and blocked Dhaka-Aricha highway till 2:20pm. After lifting the blockade, protests resumed in Savar and Ashulia.  

An unidentified man was shot dead in Baipayl around 3pm, who was later taken to Dhamrai health complex. Violent clashes ensued that continued till night. Protesters attacked Savar Model Police Station and clashed with police till 8pm. Several protesters were shot dead. 

On 5 August, from morning, students gathered for the 'March to Dhaka'. Their number grew from around 2,000 to over 10,000 as they marched towards Dhaka. At Savar bus stand, police blocked them, firing tear shells and rubber bullets even at teachers negotiating peacefully. 

In retaliation, protesters forced police to retreat. Clashes continued, as protesters tried to attack the police station. Meanwhile, in Ashulia, clashes erupted between the protesters, police and Awami League activists.

That day alone, at least a hundred injured were brought to Enam Medical College Hospital, including journalist Syed Hasib of Maasranga TV, who was shot despite identifying himself as a journalist. 

Protesters set fire to Dhamrai, Savar and Ashulia police stations after police fled, looting weapons and equipment. Five bodies were seen on 6 August near Ashulia police station, including three claimed as police, two hanging from an overbridge, two burned in a pickup van, and one half-burned body on the road.

By September, Enam Medical College Hospital confirmed 36 deaths from gunshot wounds in July-August. Gonoshasthaya Medical College Hospital reported 10 deaths by 7 August. Other hospitals also reported fatalities. Thus, by 5 August, at least 57 people, including police, were killed in Savar and Ashulia. The exact number might be higher. 

Mirpur, Rampura-Badda-Banasree, Mohammadpur: More deaths

In Mirpur, 18-year-old Sheikh Shahriar Bin Matin, an HSC examinee, was with his cousin and other protesters near Mirpur-10 on 18 July when police and Chhatra League opened fire. A bullet pierced his right eye. Taken to hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College, he was on life support till declared dead on 20 July.

On 19 July, 11-year-old Shafkat Samir, a fifth grader, was closing his window in Kafrul to stay safe from tear gas. A bullet entered through his eye and exited through the back of his head, killing him instantly. 

Mirpur-10 became a protest hotspot. Between 16 July and 3 August, at least 29 people were killed in the area.

Meanwhile, on 19 July in Rampura-Badda-Banasree area, a video showed a boy hanging from an under-construction building cornice as police fired blanks at him. The 18-year-old, Amir, survived. But others were not as lucky. 

That Friday, after Jummah prayers, BGB opened fire on protesters marching towards Rampura bridge. Protesters hurled bricks in retaliation. At least 13 people were killed and over 500 injured, many shot in upper body parts. Security forces even fired targeting protesters from helicopters.

In Mohammadpur on 19 July, after Jummah prayers, 19-year-old Mahmudur Rahman Soikot opened his family's confectionery shop on Nurjahan Road. Upon learning that a friend was shot, he closed the shop to search for him. Hours later, his body was found in Suhrawardy Medical College morgue, shot in the head. 

From 16 July, ULAB students blocked Beribadh road; protests spread while many were killed till 20 July. Between 16 July and 3 August, at least 21 people were killed in Mohammadpur. Notably, 81 bodies, believed to be protesters killed by law enforcement agencies, were buried at Rayerbazar graveyard during July-August.