Testimony of Imran Ahmed

My name is Imran Ahmed. My current age is approximately 27 years. My address is Village: Abhiram Monohor, Police Station: Hajirhat, District: Rangpur (Metropolitan).

I completed my Master’s degree in the History Department from Carmichael College, Rangpur. I was one of the Quota Reform Protesters of 2018. In 2018, when the quota system was cancelled instead of reformed due to the movement, I was an Honours student.

While I was studying for my Master’s degree, when the High Court ruling reinstated the quota system, the movement started again across the country under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and I participated in that movement.

Starting from the beginning of July 2024, we were also carrying out programs in Rangpur in coordination with Dhaka. On July 16, 2024, around 12:00 PM (noon), we started a procession from the Char-tala area intersection of Rangpur city towards the Modern Morh. En route, in the Lalbagh area, activists of the Chhatra League attempted to obstruct our program with indigenous weapons. However, since we were greater in number, the Chhatra League activists retreated. We resumed our march, chanting slogans.

Around 1:00 PM, we passed Gate No. 2 of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) and approached Gate No. 1 (currently known as Abu Sayeed Gate). Upon arrival, the police initially tried to obstruct us around 2:00 PM. But we ignored the obstruction and continued chanting slogans.

At one point, without any warning, the police began throwing sound grenades and tear shells and started an unprovoked baton charge. At that time, the participating students scattered and ran in all directions. Many participants were seriously injured. Abu Sayeed, a BRUR student, suffered a severe head injury behind his head and began bleeding.

At this stage, the police, who were attacking us, took position inside the university and closed the gate from the inside. Chhatra League activists of the university—Pomel Barua, Mahfuz, Arif, Babul Togor, Fazle Rabbi, Aktar, Akash, Masud Rana, and Sezan Mahmud—along with activists from the Rangpur Metropolitan District and Upazila Chhatra League, Jubo League, and other wings of the Awami League, were already positioned there.

The university administration played no role or made no attempt to remove the Chhatra League activists who were illegally positioned inside. Moreover, the Proctor left after staying with the Chhatra League and police for a short time. Among the university faculty, Matiur Rahman and Asad Mondol; among the officers, Rafiul Hasan Russel, Moniruzzaman Palash, Hafizur Rahman Tufan; and among the employees, Nurunnabi, Nur Alam, Mahabubur Rahman, Amir Hasan Amu, Anwar Parvez Appel, and many others were positioned inside.

In this situation, a section of the students, who were enrolled at the university, attempted to open the gate.

Around 2:00 PM in this situation, the Awami League, Chhatra League, and university faculty, employees, and officers positioned inside—along with Police Officers Assistant Commissioner Arif, Assistant Commissioner Imran, University Police Outpost In-Charge Bibhuti Tushar Roy, Tazhat Police Station Officer In-Charge Rabiul—all together started throwing stones and bricks at the students from inside.

The police officers started coming out, firing bullets from inside. At that time, the students positioned in front of the gate scattered again and started running in various directions. It was then that Shaheed Abu Sayeed stood in front of the University’s Gate No. 1 with his arms outstretched and was shot. After being shot, he retreated slightly but was shot again. He then crossed the divider and moved back a little. Ayan, who was standing slightly behind, came forward and held Abu Sayeed. Then, after moving a little, Saju Roy and a few others picked up Abu Sayeed and took him to the hospital.

We received news about an hour later that the doctor on duty at the hospital had declared Abu Sayeed dead.

Subsequently, we learned that Abu Sayeed’s death was caused by the bullets fired by ASI Amirul Islam and Constable Sujan Chandra, under the leadership of the then Police Commissioner Moniruzzaman, DC Crime Abu Maruf, ADC DB Shahnur Al Patwari, Assistant Commissioner Arif, and Tajhat Thana OC Rabiul, with the cooperation of university teachers Moshiur Rahman and Asad Mondol, and officers Rafiul Hasan Russel, Hafizur Rahman Tufan, and Moniruzzaman Palash.

As a fellow combatant and eyewitness, I demand punishment for everyone who contributed directly and indirectly to Abu Sayeed’s death.

The Investigating Officer interrogated me on 14-3-2025.

This is my statement.

Cross-Examination by Lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu on behalf of the present Accused No. 8, Md. Amirul Islam, and Accused No. 9, Sujan Chandra Ray:

• I was not a student of Begum Rokeya University.
• I cannot state the exact time when I heared, after July 16, 2024, that Abu Sayeed died from police bullets, as stated in my testimony.
• Spontaneously added: However, I came to know about it on the night of July 16, 2024.
• I, along with those who were leading the movement, came to know. It would not be appropriate to name them; if I start naming, I would have to mention many names. I heard this at the Rangpur Medical College Hospital on the night of July 16, 2024.
• The distance from Char-tala Morh to Modern Morh is approximately half a kilometer. I took my Master’s examination in 2024; I do not recall the month.
• The distance from Lalbagh Morh to Gate No. 2 of Begum Rokeya University is approximately one kilometer. The distance from Gate No. 2 to Gate No. 1 is approximately 250 feet.
• I cannot say exactly how long it took in total, including the obstruction by Chhatra League/Jubo League at Lalbagh Morh and overcoming that obstruction.
• I cannot say approximately how long the sound grenades and tear shells continued.
• It is true that the protesting students dispersed due to the sound grenades and tear shells.
• I cannot recall right now the specific locations where the protesting students dispersed.
• We were not obstructed at Gate No. 2 of Begum Rokeya University.
• A lathi charge (baton charge) took place in front of Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University; I cannot say for how long. I was not among the many who were seriously injured in the lathi charge.
• It is not true that I was not present at the scene.
• It is not true that I gave false testimony.
  
  

Cross-Examination by Lawyer Md. Aminul Gani Tito on behalf of the present Accused No. 10, Md. Sharifullah Islam:

• It is not true that I am the founding president of the Rangpur District unit of the organization named Chhatra Odhikar Parishad (Student Rights Council).
• Some members of my organization participated in the movement on 16-7-2024. Among them, Ali Hossain, Shakil Hasan, Hanif Khan Sajib, and many others participated.
• I have seen the live video footage from NTV regarding this incident, but I do not recall if I am visible in that footage.
• I reside in Rangpur city. I know many people from the Rangpur District and Upazila Chhatra League and Awami League, apart from the names mentioned in my testimony. I recognize many of the Rangpur Chhatra League and Awami League members who were positioned at Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University by face, but I do not know their names.
• The people whose names I mentioned are students of Begum Rokeya University.
• It is not true that the Rangpur District/Upazila Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League activists were not positioned inside the gate within the Begum Rokeya University campus, or that I mentioned their presence as instructed/coached. (With the objection of prosecution).
• I cannot say how long after Abu Sayeed was hit on the head he was shot.
• I cannot recall if I saw the scene of Abu Sayeed being hit on the head in the NTV video footage.
• The procession that came from Char-tala Morh was primarily led by Abdus Shafi, but he was not the sole leader. The leadership of the procession included myself, Abu Sayeed, Shahriar Sohag, and Mehedi Hasan, along with many others.
• I met Abu Sayeed’s brother, Ramjan Ali, at the hospital (Rangpur Medical College Hospital) on the day of the incident. I was at the hospital once between Asr (afternoon) and Maghrib (sunset) prayers, and again after Maghrib until the body was taken home. I do not remember how long I stayed at the hospital after Maghrib.
• The Sorotohal (inquest) report was not prepared in my presence; we were not allowed to go to that area.
• It is not true that the statement that the university administration played no role or did not try to remove the Chhatra League activists is incorrect.
• It is not true that Proctor Shariful Islam went inside the campus long before the sound grenades, tear shells, and lathi charge began in front of the gate.
• It is not true that the Proctor did not stay with the police members in front of or inside Gate No. 1.
• It is not true that there was no tension between the two sides when the Proctor arrived in front of Gate No. 1.
• I cannot recall now who announced the program for 16-7-2024.
• I was present virtually when the decision for the program was made. Shahriar Sohag, Rina Murmu, Sabina Yasmin, Shamsur Rahman Sumon, and many others were present at that meeting.
• The decision was made between the evening and night of 15-7-2024. The decision was changed the next morning.
• I cannot recall what time I joined the virtual meeting on 15-7-2024.
• It is not true that I was not connected directly or virtually when the program decision was made on 15-7-2024, or that I did not witness any incident on 16-7-2024, or that I was not involved in the Quota Reform Movement.
• It is not true that I gave testimony as instructed/coached, out of excessive zeal.
  
  

Cross-Examination by Learned State Defence Counsel Israt Jahan Anni on behalf of the absconding Accused Nos. 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, and 07:

The police obstructed us so that we could not proceed with the procession.

When the police peacefully obstructed us in front of Gate No. 1, we continued chanting slogans. But at one point, the police fired sound grenades. I cannot say exactly how long after the peaceful obstruction the sound grenades were fired, but they were fired soon after.

When the police were firing sound grenades and tear shells and conducting the lathi charge, I could not recognize them, but I recognized them later.

I know many of those who were seriously injured; I know them by face, but I do not remember their names.

I cannot say whether the injured individuals received treatment anywhere.

I cannot name the police members who hit Abu Sayeed on the back of his head.

The person who moved forward to protect Abu Sayeed when police members were hitting the back of his head was probably a journalist.

I personally witnessed Abu Sayeed being hit. I cannot say what my distance was from Abu Sayeed at that time, but I was nearby. Abu Sayeed was hit on the head sometime after 2:00 PM, but I cannot state the exact time.

• It is not true that the protesters were throwing bricks and stones when the police were conducting the lathi charge.
• I was not part of the group of students who attempted to open the gate. At that time, I was approximately 30 feet away from Gate No. 1, to the east, past the road divider.
• I did not see police members throwing stones, but stones were coming from that direction. Later, I saw the footage of who threw the stones.
• I personally witnessed Abu Sayeed standing with his arms outstretched and being shot.
• When Abu Sayeed was standing with his arms outstretched, the protesters were not throwing stones from behind him.
• I cannot say how many police members were present when Abu Sayeed was shot, but there might have been 30-40 people.
• It is not true that the police officials did not instruct the subordinate police members to shoot.
• I cannot state the correct time of Abu Sayeed’s death. I received the news via mobile phone; my comrade Yasir Arafat informed me via mobile phone.
• It is not true that the order to shoot was not given under the leadership of the then Police Commissioner Moniruzzaman, DC Crime Abu Maruf, ADC DB Shahnur Al Patwari, Assistant Commissioner Arif, and Tajhat Thana OC Rabiul.
  
  

Cross-Examination by Learned State Defence Counsel Mamunur Rashid on behalf of the absconding Accused Nos. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 24:

The cross-examination by the Learned Lawyer Md. Aminul Gani Tito on behalf of Accused No. 10, Md. Shariful Islam, is adopted.

I saw the accused: Mohammad Pomel Barua, Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman Shamim, Md. Fazle Rabbi @ Glorious Fazle Rabbi, Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, Sezan Ahmed @ Arif, Dhananjoy Kumar @ Tagor, Babul Hossain, and Md. Masudul Hasan Masud. I cannot say which department they were students of.

• • It is not true that I did not see them throwing stones at the students, and that I only gave false testimony to please the investigating officer.
    
    

Cross-Examination by Learned State Defence Counsel Sujad Mia on behalf of the absconding Accused Nos. 1, 11, 12, 14, and 30:

The cross-examination by the Learned Lawyer Md. Aminul Gani Tito on behalf of Accused No. 10, Md. Shariful Islam, is adopted.

• It is not true that I do not know the teachers because I was not a student of BRUR.
• It is not true that I was not present at the scene.

Cross-Examination by State Defence Counsel Md. Shahidul Islam on behalf of the absconding Accused Nos. 15, 25, 26, 27, and 28:

The cross-examination by the Learned Lawyer Md. Aminul Gani Tito on behalf of Accused No. 10, Md. Shariful Islam, is adopted.

I do not know if the university was closed on 16-7-2024.

• It is not true that I do not know the accused Md. Moniruzzaman Palash, Mohammad Nurunnabi Mondol, Nur Alam Mia, Mohammad Mahbubar Rahman @ Babu, [and] Amir Hossain Amu.
• It is not true that they were not present on the university campus on 16-7-2024.
• It is not true that I gave false testimony as instructed/coached.

Cross-Examination by Learned Lawyer Sheikh Mustafi Hasan on behalf of the present Accused No. 13, Md. Rafiul Hasan Russel:

The cross-examination by the Learned Lawyer Md. Aminul Gani Tito on behalf of Accused No. 10, Md. Shariful Islam, is adopted.

I cannot say how many days after 16-7-2024 I heard the name of the accused.

I cannot say what post and in which office the accused Rafiul Hasan Russel worked at Begum Rokeya University.

I cannot say what time the accused Rafiul Hasan Russel arrived in front of Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University, but I saw him throwing bricks and stones after 2:00 PM.

• It is not true that the accused Rafiul Hasan Russel did not remain inside Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University, or that I gave false testimony by saying I saw the accused.

Cross-Examination by Learned Lawyer Saleh Uddin on behalf of the present Accused No. 23 and Accused No. 29:

The cross-examinations by the lawyers for Accused Nos. 1, 11, 12, 14, 30, 08, 09, and 10 are adopted.

We, who were in the leadership, watched the CCTV footage on the university grounds, in the conference room, and later on TV after 16-7-2024.

It was we, the fellow combatants of the movement, who identified the accused after watching the footage. I do not recall the date.

I recognized various Chhatra League activists earlier from Facebook posts, various newspapers, and online media.

I know Mohammad Imran Chowdhury Akash @ Disha and Mohammad Anwar Parvez @ Appel.

I saw them inside Gate No. 1 on the day of the incident, and at that time, we were outside the gate.

There was a gap (empty space) below and above Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University.

The height of Gate No. 1 might be approximately 5/6 feet, but I have not measured it.

• It is not true that I named the accused as instructed/coached and gave false testimony.