Siam Ahsan Ayan -- the sixth prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against Begum Rokeya University鈥檚 former vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid and 29 others -- testified on Sunday before the International Crimes Tribunal-2.
Ayan described in vivid detail how police members opened fire on protesters, including Abu Sayeed, the first victim of July 2024 mass uprising, at Ranpur on July 16, 2024.
Ayan was then an 18-year-old college student at Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry聽 Public School and College.
He recounted the harrowing moments when university student and fellow protester Abu Sayeed was shot by police while standing with arms outstretched in a silent but defying protest.
鈥楢bu Sayeed stood alone on the road divider near the university鈥檚 main gate, stretching out his arms as police fired tear gas at us,鈥� Ayan told the three-judge tribunal chaired by former High Court judge Nozrul Islam Chowdhury.
He said that after Sayeed was shot, he ran to help him, carrying him in his arms as blood poured from his head and chest.
鈥楳y shirt got soaked in his blood,鈥� he added, showing the tribunal the bullet wound scars he received while trying to rescue Sayeed.
The protest erupted after then prime minister Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 instigating remark at a press conference at her official residence, tagging the govt job quota reform protesters as the grandsons and granddaughters of Razakars.
Ayan said that their peaceful procession began at Rangpur Zila School and reached the university gate around 2:10pm as planned, despite repeated police attempts to stop them.
He accused government officials 鈥� including then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, and then-IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun 鈥� of orchestrating the attack in coordination with Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Moniruzzaman, field-level officers, and local Awami League leaders and activists.
鈥楾he police opened fire on us without warning. I saw Sayeed shot from the east side of the road near the university鈥檚 main gate while I was in front of the Biam Shopping Complex.
鈥楢fter Sayeed fell, I rushed forward and held him to my chest. Then police fired again and bullets hit the left side of my body,鈥� Ayan said.
The tribunal viewed video footage that captured Ayan attempting to rescue Sayeed as more bullets rained down.
鈥楢bu Sayeed collapsed in my arms. He was bleeding heavily from his torso. Later I heard that he was also beaten at the back of his head by police led by then-assistant commissioner Arifuzzaman,鈥� he added.
Ayan said that he took Sayeed to a safer location near Park Square with help from others.
Sayeed was later shifted to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where protesters learned of his death 鈥� news that further intensified the protests.
He alleged that university officials 鈥� including VC Hasibur Rashid, proctor Shariful Islam, and faculty members Asaduzzaman and Mashiur 鈥� facilitated the attack alongside ruling party cadres and local law enforcement.
鈥業 demand justice,鈥� Ayan told the tribunal, adding, 鈥業 want the capital punishment for all those responsible for killing Abu Sayeed and attacking peaceful protesters.鈥�
The accused include 11 university officials, eight police officers, nine leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League, and a physician loyal to the Awami League, the activities of which remain banned.
The hearing was adjourned until Monday, as Ayan鈥檚 cross-examination remained incomplete.
