July martyrs' families end Secretariat protest with ultimatum, demand answers on bail orders
Asif Nazrul said his ministry had no role in bail granted by HC in July uprising cases
Families of martyrs and injured survivors of last year's July mass uprising vacated the road in front of the Secretariat this afternoon after nearly three hours of blockade, issuing an ultimatum to the government to meet their demands, including an explanation from Law Adviser Asif Nazrul.
According to media reports, the protesters began a sit-in around 12:30pm at Gate No. 2 of the Secretariat, demanding the resignation of the law adviser. They withdrew at about 3:15pm.
The families demanded that Asif Nazrul explain to the chief adviser by next Sunday why the accused in the July killings are being granted bail and that this explanation be presented to the nation.
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They also alleged police attacked them during their sit-in programme and urged the home adviser to ensure visible justice for the incident. The protesters warned they would resume demonstrations if their demands were not met.
Earlier in the morning, they also held a demonstration in front of the National Press Club, saying that the accused individuals in the July killings are securing bail while trials are not progressing, and accused the interim government of failing to deliver justice.
Chanting slogans such as "Resignation, resignation, we demand Asif Nazrul's resignation," and "My brother lies in the grave, why are the killers free?", the demonstrators expressed frustration over what they described as mockery in the name of justice.
Bulbul Karim, father of slain Alif Ahmed Siam, said, "Even after a year, there has been no justice for my son's murder. The government is making a mockery of justice. The accused are getting bail by paying money, while the law adviser has failed to take any action."
Rabiul Awal, brother of slain Tayim, said, "We demand this [law] adviser's resignation."
Abdul Matin, father of Shaheed Sheikh Shahriar, added, "Instead of justice, we are being deceived."
Injured protester Aminul Islam warned that if July victims once again take to the streets, the consequences would be dire.
Abul Hasan, father of Shahriar Hasan Alvi, said, "We have spoken to the law adviser multiple times. Each time he offered us consolation and sent us back, but there has been no progress in the trials."
During their attempt to march toward the Secretariat, police blocked them, leading to scuffles between officers and protesters.
Safat Siddiqui, mother of slain Ahnaf, alleged that police insulted and physically assaulted the families. "The police hurled abusive language at us — I cannot even repeat what they said. I was kicked by the police. We came here with just demand," she said.
Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Division Police Masud Alam told reporters that the families' demands would be conveyed to the authorities, but the blockade was causing public suffering. Regarding allegations of police assault, he said, "If such incidents occurred, action will be taken based on proper investigation."
What law adviser said in FB post
Meanwhile, Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul has clarified that the law ministry has no role in the High Court's decision to grant bail to a police officer accused in a case filed by families of the 2024 July Uprising victims, amid outrage from the victims' relatives.
In a Facebook post this afternoon, he wrote, "In a case filed by the families of the July massacre victims, the High Court has granted bail to a member of the police force. Naturally, this has angered the families of the martyrs."
His remarks come in the backdrop of this protest. The adviser further noted that the High Court is a "superior court of the country and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the ministry."
"Therefore, neither the bail order nor any other decision of the High Court is connected to the Ministry of Law," he added.
"Although the High Court is a superior court, its decisions are not beyond question," he said, adding that the Attorney General's Office has already appealed against the bail order.
The adviser said a decision on this appeal may come as early as Wednesday. "If the bail is revoked, police will arrest the accused officer."
