Testimony of Shariful Islam 

My name is Shariful Islam. My age is approximately 32. I am a journalist by profession. I participated in the anti-discrimination student movement in my area, Kushtia. In 2018, the quota system was abolished. In 2024, it was reinstated. At that time, students began a peaceful protest. The movement was peaceful until July 14, 2024. On July 14, at a press conference, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina referred to the protesters as children of razakars and grandchildren of razakars. Subsequently, the bridge minister, Obaidul Quader, commented that the BCL (Bangladesh Chhatra League) was enough to suppress the protesters, and this statement instigated the BCL workers against them. In response, the BCL attacked the protesters with local weapons.

On July 18, 2024, we were marching as part of the movement in the Char Biman Mor area of Kushtia. At that time, helmet-wearing BCL, Jubo League, and police attacked us with local weapons under police escort. We finished the march and returned to our respective homes.

The Jubo League and BCL members, along with the police, used to come looking for us after filing cases against us. Because of this, we could not stay at home.

On August 4, 2024, as part of the movement, we gathered at the Roxy Goli Mor in Borobazar, Kushtia. We then proceeded to the Mojampur Gate. There, we received news that police, BCL, and Jubo League were attacking the protesting students and public in the Chorhash area. We went there. The attackers left due to our large presence. We returned to the Mojampur Gate. Police fired at us, but we did not retreat. The police came and spoke with us. They said our movement was justified, and if we returned home, they would not shoot anymore. We all returned to our homes. The police fired indiscriminately, including tear gas shells, at us.

On the morning of August 5, 2024, at 9 am, 30-35 of us protesters gathered at the Roxy Goli Mor. Thousands of people from all walks of life joined the movement, expressing their support. When we reached in front of the Mouban Restaurant near the Zila Parishad with a procession, SI Mustafiz and 8-10 individuals started shooting at us with shotguns. I was shot in both of my hands. We took shelter in a mosque and, after a while, announced on the mosque’s microphone to resume the movement and called on our mothers, sisters, and everyone to join the protest.

At that time, we received news that Sheikh Hasina was going to flee. I told the officer-in-charge of the Kushtia Model Thana, who was present there, “Sheikh Hasina is fleeing; please do not shoot at us.” The OC (Sir) handed me his hand microphone and asked me to calm the students and the public. At that time, SI Mustafiz and several other helmet-wearing individuals continued to shoot at me with shotguns. I was shot and fell on the road. I was then taken to Tafazzal Health Center. I underwent three surgeries, and 62 pellets were removed from my body. The doctors told me that there are over 500 more pellets in my body that cannot be removed. I brought the X-ray film of my left hand and submitted it to the tribunal. This is that X-ray film (Material Exhibit-XII).

(The displayed X-ray film shows the pellet marks in the wrist and finger area of the witness’s left hand.)

On August 5, six people were killed by police gunfire in Kushtia town. On the same evening, after a victory rally, two protesters were hacked to death by members of Jubo League and BCL on their way home.

For this murder, I demand the hanging of the persons who ordered the killings, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Hanif, Inu, and others involved, including Ata Ali, Asgar Ali, Sadar Khan, Manob Chaki, Gorob Chaki, Jubo League leaders Babul and Rajon, SI Mustafiz, and other police officers.

The investigating officer has questioned me. This is my statement.

Cross-examination

A: In 2024, the Honorable High Court reinstated the quota system. Sheikh Hasina had filed that case through the children of freedom fighters.

Q: Do you have any documents proving that Sheikh Hasina had the case filed by freedom fighters?

A: I do not have any documents to that effect.

A: It is not true that Sheikh Hasina did not refer to the protesters as children of razakars and grandchildren of razakars.

Q: You did not say that the police are with you?

A: Yes, on August 4, the police told us that our movement was justified and that they would not shoot anymore if we returned home. But later, we understood that it was a false assurance.

It is not true that even after the police said our movement was justified, we created chaos the next day with the aim of toppling the government.

It is not true that the submitted X-ray film was created by me.

Yes, before August 5, I had not heard that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal had ordered the shooting. But after August 5, I saw and heard about such an order in various media.

It is not true that what I saw and heard about such an order in various media later is false.

It is not true that I gave testimony influenced by others or by concealing the real truth.