Testimony of Md. Abdur Rahman

My name is Md. Abdur Rahman. I am currently serving in Bangladesh Police Telecom at Rajarbagh. During the 2024 Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, on 19 July, I was on duty as a wireless operator at Rampura Police Station from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. the following day.

That day was Friday. After Jummah prayers, at approximately 2:00 p.m., worshippers came out of the mosque beside the police station, and a large number of people gathered in front of the station and in the surrounding alleys. They were anti-discrimination students and members of the public.

On that day, all officers and force members were present at the police station. The OC Sir was at the BTV Bhaban area. I informed the OC Sir via wireless about the gathering of students and the public. Shortly afterward, OC Mashiur Rahman Sir and ADC Rashed Sir arrived at the police station with BGB and APCs.

On the instructions of the OC Sir and ADC Sir, firing was carried out on the student–public crowd to disperse them. At that time, I was inside the police station and could hear the sound of gunfire.

Later, I came to know that in the salon alley in front of the police station, Nadim, the son-in-law of Shukur Ali Garments’ owner, was shot and killed. In the same alley, a small child named Musa and his grandmother were also shot. Later, I heard that the child’s grandmother died.

The firing took place in the presence of OC Mashiur Rahman Sir.

On 19 July, through wireless communication, DMP Commissioner Mr. Habibur Rahman Sir instructed firing with Chinese rifles from a kneeling position, which I personally heard.

Subsequently, on 21 or 22 July, I was on duty at the police station. DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman Sir visited the station and, being satisfied with the police role on 19 July, awarded OC Sir with BDT 100,000 as a reward.

A few days later, a video went viral on social media. In that video, a boy was seen hanging from the cornice of an under-construction building beside the police station. SI Chanchal Sir and SI Tarikul Sir were seen firing in the video. They fired at the boy who was hanging.

I identified SI Chanchal as a witness. The investigating officer interrogated me. This is my statement.

Cross-examination on behalf of accused Chanchal:

Question: What is your rank in the police?
Answer: I am a police constable.

It is not true that on 19 July no student–public gathering occurred around Rampura Police Station.
It is not true that all officers fled by breaking the rear windows of the station out of fear.
It is not true that I also fled through a window.
It is not true that when I sent a wireless message to the OC Sir, all DMP police stations could hear it.

Question: Is the PBI office near the police station?
Answer: Yes, it is nearby.

Question: At that time, was the PBI office bombed and was a PBI officer killed?
Answer: I do not know.

Question: Where is Shukur Ali Garments located?
Answer: I heard from people that Nadim died.

Question: Was the deceased Nadim Mizan?
Answer: It is not true that the deceased was not the son-in-law of Shukur Ali or that the deceased was Nadim Mizan.

Question: How did you recognize Chanchal?
Answer: We worked together, so I recognized him.

All the police members seen in the video were wearing helmets.
I do not know whether any GD was recorded regarding the events of 19 July.

Suggestion: You were also involved in the firing that occurred on 19 July.
Answer: It is not true.
It is not true that I have given a false statement.

Cross-examination by Amir Hossain on behalf of other accused

It is not true that I perform duties other than those of a wireless operator.
It is not true that records of my duties exist in the logbook and that I failed to produce them before the court today.
It is not true that I was not on duty at Rampura Police Station at the stated time.
It is not true that our daily activities are not recorded at the police station.
It is not true that my statements regarding the OC Sir and ADC Sir are false.
It is not true that they did not give instructions.
It is not true that I know nothing about Nadim’s death.
It is not true that OC Mashiur Rahman Sir was near the BTV Bhaban during the firing.
I do not know whether the OC alone consumed the awarded money.
It is not true that SI Tarikul was not seen in the viral video.
It is not true that I abandoned my duty and fled through a window.