3 cops wanted over Rampura mass killings, shooting youth hanging from building during July uprising

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for three policemen involved in mass killings in Dhaka's Rampura and the attempted murder of a youth named Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a building's ledge, during the anti-discrimination protests in July last year.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam confirmed to reporters that the tribunal issued the order after hearing a plea from the prosecution team today (9 March).

He said, "Arrest warrants have been issued against the trio in connection with the mass killing in Rampura. However, we are not disclosing their identities at the moment, as this could lead them to become alert or flee."

"When they are arrested, everyone will see who they are," he added.

Earlier, on 27 January, SI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar was arrested over the shooting of a youth named Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a building's ledge in Dhaka's Rampura during the anti-discrimination protests in July last year.

Amir Hossain survived the shooting, but he sustained six bullet wounds and is undergoing treatment.

Amir's aunt Nasima Begum told TBS that he is somewhat lucky that the bullets pierced through his legs and no bones were broken, but it will be three months before he can begin to walk a bit.

On 18 July, Amir Hossain, 18, who worked at a hotel in Aftabnagar, was coming home from work in the afternoon when he saw protests being held near Meradia Bazar.

He panicked when he saw police and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel approaching the protesters from both ends of the road. He ran into a nearby under-construction building and went upstairs, towards the rooftop. The police chased after him.

What happened afterwards, shocked the entire nation. The video of the incident shows Amir desperately grasping onto a rod as he kept hanging from the ledge of the building's fourth floor. Even at that moment, the police kept shooting at him.