During the July uprising, police across Bangladesh fired a staggering 305,311 rounds of ammunition to suppress the student and mass protests. Of this, 95,313 rounds were fired in the capital Dhaka alone.The information was presented on Monday (29 September) before International Crimes Tribunal-1 by the 54th witness in the case, Investigation Officer Md. Alamgir. He cited a 215-page report submitted by the Police Headquarters as evidence.Present at the tribunal were prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim, Tanvir Hasan Zoha, and Abdus Sattar Palowan, while state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain represented the defense.
Findings of the Investigation
According to Alamgir, police used LMGs, SMGs, Chinese rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and pistols against unarmed demonstrators. A separate report from RAB Headquarters on the use of helicopters was also collected.
Reports from investigation committees at Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, and Begum Rokeya University were seized. Medical records of the injured were obtained from the National Eye Institute, NITOR (National Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute), and the National Burn Institute. In addition, 81 unidentified autopsy reports were collected from Anjuman Mofidul Islam.
Crimes Against Humanity Alleged
The investigation officer testified that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun ordered the use of lethal force to quell peaceful protests.
Under their directives, more than 1,500 people were killed, thousands were injured or permanently disabled, while many were subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, and denial of funerals. Families were often prevented from identifying victims, with bodies hastily buried as “unclaimed.” Female students, Alamgir added, were subjected to sexual abuse.
Evidence and Confessions
The probe collected video footage, audio clips, books, expert reports, and testimonies from victims’ families, survivors, and eyewitnesses. The confessional statement of former IGP Mamun, now an approver in the case, was also presented.
Phone Conversations Revealed
Earlier, the 53rd witness, investigator Tanvir Hasan Zoha, submitted 69 recorded phone conversations of Sheikh Hasina and call records from three phone numbers. Four conversations were played in court, including calls with former Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, politician Hasanul Haq Inu, and former Dhaka University VC ASM Maksud Kamal.
Case Progress
Apart from Sheikh Hasina, the two other accused are Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. On 10 July, the tribunal formally framed charges and approved Mamun’s application to testify as a state witness.