6 killed in front of their eyes: Witnesses testify at ICT on Chankharpul shooting 

Two eyewitnesses have recounted before the International Crimes Tribunal the police firing on protesters in Dhaka's Chankharpul area on 5 August last year, just before former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid the mass uprising.

They testified that six people were killed and three people were critically injured before their eyes, holding Hasina and then Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, along with others, responsible for the killings. They demanded justice against those involved.

The witnesses were Tipu Sultan, a garment shop employee from New Market and resident of Nazimuddin Road, and Moniruzzaman, a resident of Chankharpul.

A three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, recorded their depositions today.

The ongoing crimes against humanity case accuses eight individuals.

Tipu Sultan's testimony

Tipu said he supported the July 2024 anti-discrimination movement. On 5 August, between 11 and 11:30 am, he joined the "long march" and took position near Borhanuddin College in Chankharpul.

"As we advanced, police suddenly fired sound grenades and live bullets from the Chankharpul intersection," he said. 

"We scattered. Soon I heard my neighbour Yakub had been shot near Sohag Hotel on Nazimuddin Road. I saw that a bullet had entered his abdomen and exited through his back, his intestines spilling out. Someone tied his wound with a T-shirt before he was rushed to Mitford Hospital, where doctors declared him dead."

Tipu described how police kept firing as they advanced up to the college gate. "One bullet aimed at me hit fellow protester Ismamul in the stomach. He was taken first to Mitford, then to Dhaka Medical, but I later learned he died three days later." He demanded justice for the killings at Chankharpul.

Moniruzzaman's testimony

Moniruzzaman said he and his son Toufauzzaman had joined the July movement for several days. On 5 August, his son went out alone to join protests.

"There was heavy gunfire that day," he said. "I went out to find him near Nimtoli. He phoned saying he was stuck nearby, unable to cross the street because of gunfire. Around 12-12:30pm, I met him near Khalifa Patti and joined protesters heading towards Chankharpul.

"As we advanced, police kept firing at us. A protester named Junaid, who was right in front of me, was shot in the head. Others rushed him to Mitford Hospital, but by afternoon I heard he had died."

With their depositions and cross-examinations, testimony from 13 witnesses in the case has now been completed. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim assisted the tribunal during the session.

The case, filed over the killing of six in Chankharpul, accuses eight former police officials of crimes against humanity. The tribunal ordered trial proceedings to begin on 14 August.

Four accused – former Shahbagh police inspector Arshad Hossain, constable Sujan, constable Imaaz Hossain Iman, and constable Nasirul Islam – are under arrest. Four others, including former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, ex-joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Akhtarul Islam, and former assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul, remain absconding.