Testimony of Jasim Uddin

My name is Jasim Uddin. My present age is approximately 37 years. My address: Village—, Thana—, District—.

I live in Rajshahi and I am a businessman.

I participated in the anti-discrimination movement in Rajshahi city from 15 July 2024. On 14 July 2024, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina referred to the protesting students as “children of Razakars and grandchildren of Razakars,” which intensified the movement. The next day, former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said at a 14-party alliance rally that the Chhatra League was sufficient to suppress the self-recognized Razakars. Following this, the Chhatra League and Jubo League, armed, attacked the protesters at various locations including Rajshahi University and RUET campus.

On 5 August 2024, at 10:00 a.m., protesters gathered at the main gate and Tolaimari ground of Rajshahi University as previously announced. Around 12:30 p.m., a procession of protesters moved from the main gate towards Saheb Bazar. I was part of that procession. As the procession passed Shah Makhdum College and reached in front of Swachh Tower, armed members of the Awami League, including the Rajshahi Police Commissioner, former Mayor of Rajshahi City Khairuzzaman Liton, General Secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League Dablu Sarkar, Volunteer League leader Roki Kumar Ghosh, Jubo League armed leader Rubel, Rajshahi College Chhatra League president Rashek Dutta, and others, along with then OC of Boalia Police Station Humayun and other police personnel, indiscriminately opened fire on our peaceful procession, threw cocktail and sound grenades, and attacked us with traditional weapons such as ramda and kirich. Rubel was armed with a revolver.

As a result, nearly a hundred protesters, including women, were seriously injured. Due to their attack, we unarmed protesters were forced to retreat. The attackers continued to fire, throw cocktails, and sound grenades from behind. A fragment of a sound grenade hit my left leg and I was injured. I attempted to get on my motorcycle. At that time, 4–5 student leaders were bringing Ali Raihan, who had been shot, towards me. I took him by motorcycle through an alternate route, overcoming several obstacles, to the emergency department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. I then returned to the protest and learned that another student, Shakib Anjum, had been shot and lay dead near Shah Makhdum College and Swachh Tower. Because of the obstruction by Awami League and Chhatra League members, no one dared to take his body. Later, I saw that Shakib Anjum’s relatives came and took his body by van to their home near Talaimari Shaheed Minar.

Ali Raihan, who was under treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, died from gunshot wounds on 8 August 2024.

For suppressing the peaceful protest of this innocent and unarmed student crowd, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, IGP Mamun, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, DMP and RMP police commissioners, the then Mayor of Rajshahi Khairuzzaman Liton, and the others I have mentioned are responsible. I demand exemplary punishment and the death penalty for them.

I have a pen drive containing three video footages related to this protest, including the transfer of Shaheed Ali Raihan to the hospital. I submitted this pen drive to the Tribunal today. This is that pen drive (Exhibit-VII). The three videos were displayed in the Tribunal. The witness identified many Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League leaders, including Rubel holding two weapons. The witness also identified himself, his motorcycle, the armed police attacking, and Ali Raihan in an injured state. At this stage, the witness broke down in tears.

The Investigating Officer has interrogated me. This is my testimony.