Witness 5: Abu Johamul Islam
Evidence given by Abu Johamul Islam
My name is Abu Johamul Islam. My father’s name is [recacted] My current age is 18. My address is [redacted] Lakshmipur. My present address is Mirpur 2 [redacted].
Prosecution: Tell us what do you do?
Witness: I am a student.
Witness: On 18-07-2024, I participated in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at the Mirpur 10 roundabout. During the movement, the Police, Awami League, and Chhatra League fired tear shells and bullets at the protesters. Throughout that day, chases and counter-chases continued between the police and the protesting student-masses.
On 19-07-2024, after Jummah prayers, the protesting student-masses gathered at the Mirpur 10 roundabout. That day was an unbearable day for the residents of Mirpur. On that day, BGB and Police fired bullets at the protesting students, and RAB fired bullets and tear shells from above using a helicopter. The Awami League and Chhatra League were with them. That day, I saw many people get injured and one or two people get killed right in front of my eyes. Luckily, I escaped the bullets that day.
On 20-07-2024, there was a nationwide curfew. When the curfew was relaxed from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the Army, BGB, Police, RAB, as well as the Awami League and Chhatra League took positions at the Mirpur 10 roundabout. The protesting student-masses took positions in the alleys of Mirpur. I also took position in the alley along with the student-masses. Around 1:20 PM, there was a loud noise. Then, a bullet pierced the upper left side of my chest, broke the bone, and exited through the right side. (The witness exhibited the wound marks on his body to the tribunal.) After being shot, I ran a short distance and then fell down. Seeing blood flowing from my body, two rickshaw pullers took me to a clinic in Kazipara. The on-duty doctors provided primary treatment but, unable to stop the bleeding, told me to go to Dhaka Medical College or Suhrawardy Hospital. Later, a BRTC bus driver and a school student took me to Suhrawardy Hospital.
Upon arriving at Suhrawardy Hospital, I saw a horrific scene. I saw many injured and dead people there. After that, I was taken to the X-ray room and left without treatment for about 20 minutes. Later, when I was taken to the operation theater, the doctors saw my critical condition and told me to go to the Mohakhali Chest Disease Hospital. Subsequently, I was taken to the Mohakhali Chest Disease Hospital, and my surgery was performed that evening. After the surgery, I was taken to the RCU (Respiratory Care Unit).
21-07-2024 was another unforgettable day in my life. Around 9:00 AM that day, members of the police and Chhatra League entered the hospital’s RCU carrying weapons and bamboo sticks, and started verbally abusing us. They took our pictures and filed cases against us. I was under medical treatment at the hospital until 07-08-2024.
I hold former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Law Minister Anisul Huq, the Prime Minister’s former advisor Salman F Rahman, and others responsible for this incident. I demand their trial.
I had submitted my medical-related documents to the Investigating Officer. I am a gazetted injured person. The Investigating Officer questioned me. This is my testimony.
Cross-examination in favour of the present accused Anisul Haque and Salman F Rahman.
Defence: Which school were you studying in at the time of the incident?
Witness: At the time of the incident, I was studying at Mirpur Cantonment Public School.
Defence: Which class were you studying in?
Witness: I was an intermediate first-year student.
Defence: Many of your friends participate with you, right?
Witness: Many of my friends participated with me.
Defence: Who provided the leadership?
Witness: No one among the friends provided leadership.
Defence: Can you say what the anti-discrimination movement originated from?
Witness: The anti-discrimination movement originated from the quota movement.
Defence: Do you know what the quota movement was about?
Witness: The mentioned quota movement was regarding quotas in government jobs.
Defence: Do you know what the discrimination was?
Witness: I do not know exactly what the discrimination was regarding the quota in the government’s decision.
Defence: Are you aware that a case was filed in the High Court Division regarding the quota?
Witness: I do not know that a case was filed in the High Court Division regarding the quota.
Defence: Then why did the movement proceed?
Witness: The student-masses were not satisfied with the outcome of that case.
Defence: Do you know that the government appealed against that verdict?
Witness: I have no idea about the government appealing against that verdict.
Defence: Do you know that during the appeal period, a three-member committee led by former Law Minister Anisul Huq attempted to reach a compromise with the student-masses?
Witness: I do not know whether a three-member committee led by former Law Minister Anisul Huq attempted to reach a compromise with the student leaders during the appeal period.
Defence: The dispute regarding the quota was resolved on 21/07/2024.
Witness: I do not know that the dispute regarding the quota was resolved on 21/07/2024.
Defence: When did you give your statement to the Investigating Officer?
Witness: I gave my statement to the Investigating Officer on 22/11/2025.
Defence: You did not state to the Investigating Officer that, “21-07-2024 was another unforgettable day in my life. Around 9:00 AM that day, members of the police and Chhatra League entered the hospital’s RCU carrying weapons and bamboo sticks, and started verbally abusing us. They took our pictures and filed cases against us.”
Witness: It is not true that I did not state to the Investigating Officer that, “21-07-2024 was another unforgettable day in my life. Around 9:00 AM that day, members of the police and Chhatra League entered the hospital’s RCU carrying weapons and bamboo sticks, and started verbally abusing us. They took our pictures and filed cases against us.”
Defence: You testified as you were tutored.
Witness: It is not true that I testified as tutored.
Defence: You have stated as tutored that, “I hold former Law Minister Anisul Huq, the Prime Minister’s former advisor Salman F Rahman, and others responsible for this incident.”
Witness: It is not true that I have stated as tutored that, “I hold former Law Minister Anisul Huq, the Prime Minister’s former advisor Salman F Rahman, and others responsible for this incident.”
Defence: You have falsely stated that “I hold former Law Minister Anisul Huq, the Prime Minister’s former advisor Salman F Rahman, and others responsible for this incident.”
Witness: It is not true that I have falsely stated that “I hold former Law Minister Anisul Huq, the Prime Minister’s former advisor Salman F Rahman, and others responsible for this incident.”
Defence: You have given a false testimony.
Witness: It is not true that I have given a false testimony.