Testimony of Witness 17

Tribunal: What is your name?
Witness: My name is Md. Nure Alam Siddiqui. Address: District – Gaibandha.

Tribunal: In what capacity are you currently employed?
Witness: Officer-in-Charge (OC), Mithapukur, Rangpur.
Prosecution: What is the date of the incident?
Witness: 16/07/2024.

Prosecution: Where were you employed at that time?
Witness: On the Gregorian date of 16/07/2024, I was employed as Police Inspector (Investigation) at Haragach Police Station within Rangpur Metropolitan.

Prosecution: Tell us what happened.
Witness: During the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, on the same date (as above) at approximately 08:00 AM, I was deployed on duty at the Park Intersection (Park Mor) in Rangpur Metropolitan.

At approximately 08:45 AM, a police team of 14 members came to me at the Park Intersection from the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Lines.

Prosecution: A little explanation needed. You said you were deployed on duty at the Park
Intersection (Park Mor) in Rangpur Metropolitan on the same date at approximately 8 o’clock in the morning. Were you deployed alone or any other person were there?
Witness: I was deployed alone.
Witness (again): A short while later, a police team of 25 members equipped with shields and batons came to me from the Rangpur RRF Police Lines.

At approximately 10:30 AM, the Officer-in-Charge of Tajhat Police Station, Md. Rabiul Islam,
along with accompanying officer SI Bibhuti Bhushan Roy, arrived at the Park Intersection in a
government vehicle. The Officer-in-Charge of Tajhat Police Station took 7 members from my accompanying police team and proceeded towards Lalbagh Mor (Intersection). Some time later, another SI from Tajhat Police Station took the remaining 7 police members who
were with me and went towards the Modern Mor (Intersection).

At approximately 11:30 AM, AC Arifuzzaman Sir told me that a procession of students-masses
was coming from the direction of Lalbagh Intersection and that we had to barricade them.
At approximately 12:30 PM, a large procession of students-masses arrived at the Park Intersection from the direction of Lalbagh Intersection.

Under the leadership of Arifuzzaman Sir, we tried to obstruct the procession.
When the procession breached the police barricade and started proceeding towards Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University, I, along with Arifuzzaman Sir and other forces, proceeded towards

Gate No. 1 of BRU (Begum Rokeya University) alongside the procession. At that time DC
Maruf Sir came and briefed AC Arifuzzaman Sir. We took our positions at the gate of Begum Rokeya University. At that time, the students attempted to enter inside through Gate No. 1.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tajhat Police Station and other forces, who were following
behind the procession, arrived at Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University at that time.

When the students-masses attempted to enter Begum Rokeya University, AC Arifuzzaman Sir warned them and ordered them to move away.

The students remained adamant and stood there. At one stage, when AC Arifuzzaman Sir ordered a lathi charge, the accompanying officers and forces lathi-charged the students-masses present and dispersed them. At that time, when AC Arifuzzaman Sir fired tear shells from a gas gun at the crowd, a portion of the students and masses moved towards the wooden bridge via the eastern side of Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University.
Due to the intensity of the tear shell smoke, we entered Begum Rokeya University through the
pocket gate.

At approximately 14:00 hours, ADC (DB) Shah Nur Alam Patwari, along with his officers and force, entered Begum Rokeya University through the pocket gate while chasing the students.

Prosecution: Please explain a little; after the chase, where and in which direction did the
students go?

Witness: Upon chasing, that is, at approximately 14:00 hours, when ADC (DB) Shah Nur Alam
Patwari, along with his officers and force, chased the students, some of the students went
towards Modern Intersection (Modern Mor) and some went towards the wooden bridge on the eastern side of Begum Rokeya University. ADC (DB) Shah Nur Alam Patwari, along with his officers and force, entered through the pocket gate of Begum Rokeya University. The students and masses tried to open Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University by pushing and shoving, and at one stage, they forced the gate open. When we entered inside, teachers, administrative officers, and members of the Chhatra League of Begum Rokeya University were present there. They were throwing brickbats at the students – masses from the inside of BRU.

Prosecution: Apart from the officers whose names you mentioned, were there no other officers present?

Defence: There will be an objection here, Sir.

Tribunal: The Prosecution is merely asking whether anyone else was there.

Witness: Under the direct supervision and orders of AC Arifuzzaman and Officer-in-Charge of Tajhat Police Station Rabiul Islam, who were positioned at Begum Rokeya University, ASI Amir
Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy moved forward through the gate while firing
shotguns. At that time, a young man, with both arms outstretched on the road, was shot and fell onto the road. While some people present on the road were rescuing and taking away the shot
youth, AC Arifuzzaman again fired tear shells using a gas gun.

When the gathering of students-masses at the scene and around BRU (Begum Rokeya
University) dispersed, all of us police members, under the leadership of AC Arifuzzaman,
proceeded towards Modern Intersection (Modern Mor).

At approximately 07:00 PM in the evening, I came to know that one student who had been shot
had died. His name was Abu Sayed. A short while later, DB Maruf Sir, along with BGB and
Army [personnel], arrived there. Subsequently, I left Modern Intersection for Haragach Police
Station.

Prosecution: You stated here that one student died, and his name was Abu Sayed. Who is this one student?
Witness: This one student is that young man who was standing in the middle of the road with
both arms outstretched.

Prosecution: Did he (AC Arifuzzaman) speak to anyone before shooting?
Witness: Prior to the shooting that I mentioned earlier, AC Arifuzzaman Sir had spoken with
higher officials via walkie-talkie.

Prosecution: Did the IO (Investigating Officer) interrogate you? Can you say on which date he interrogated you?
Witness: Yes, the IO interrogated me. The Investigating Officer interrogated me on 17/03/2025.

–This is my deposition–

Cross-examination by Adv. Aminul Ghani Titto in favour of accused no. 10 Md.
Shariful Islam.

Defense Counsel: On 17/03/2025, at what time and where did the IO (Investigating Officer) interrogate you?
Witness: The IO interrogated me on 17/03/2025 at the International Crimes Tribunal
Investigation Agency office in Dhanmondi at 11:30am/12:00pm.

Defense Counsel: On this date, 17/03/2025, how many police officers in total came to the
International Crimes Tribunal Investigation Agency office to give witness testimony?
Witness:  I do not remember that.

Defense Counsel: Did the IO serve any notice to you before this date of 17/03/2025?
Witness: Yes, a written notice.

Defense Counsel: On which date was the notice received?
Witness: I do not remember the date when the notice was received.
Defense Counsel: How far is Haragach Police Station from Modern More (Intersection)?
Witness: Approximately 15 kilometers away. Haragach Police Station is located within the jurisdiction of Rangpur Metropolitan.

Defense Counsel: How many police stations are there in Rangpur Metropolitan?
Witness: There are six police stations. The stations are Rangpur Kotwali, Hajirhat, Tajhat, Porshuram, and Haragach.

Defense Counsel: On which CC number or GD number did you move out [for duty]? Do you
remember the GD number?
Witness: I came on duty vide a GD on 16/07/2025. I do not remember the GD number.

Defense Counsel: Did the Investigating Officer seize this GD number?
Witness: Whether the IO seized this GD or not is not known to me.

[Defense Counsel: Did you give this GD to the IO?
Tribunal (Judge): He does not have the jurisdiction for this. Because he has been transferred.]

Defense Counsel: For how many hours in total were you on duty in this BRU (Begum Rokeya
University) area on 16/07/2024?Witness: I was on duty in the BRU area on 16/07/2024 from 8:00am in the morning to 7:00pm in the evening.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): On 16/07/2024, you were not deployed on any duty vide a GD.
Witness: It is not true that on 16/07/2024 I was not deployed on any duty vide a GD.

Defense Counsel: What weapon were you carrying with you on 16/07/2024?
Witness: I was unarmed.

Defense Counsel: During duty hours, how many people in total were injured due to gas guns fired and lathi charges by your colleagues?
Witness: I cannot say.

Defense Counsel: Did you witness whether any student was injured by lathi charge and tear shells that day?
Witness: [I cannot speak about tear shells.] 3 I saw them getting injured by lathi charge that day.

Defense Counsel: Can you say approximately how many police members from RMP (Rangpur
Metropolitan Police), RRF (Range Reserve Force), and Tajhat Police Station were on duty?
Witness: 250/300 police members were active on duty.

Defense Counsel: Did any police member other than you come on duty to the BRU area on the
day of the incident from Mahiganj, Hajirhat, Porshuram, or Haragach Police Stations?
Witness: That is not known to me.

Defense Counsel: Was there an instruction upon you regarding the suppression of the student
movement that day?
Witness: I was on duty on 16/07/2024, but there was no instruction upon me to suppress the
student movement.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): Abu Saeed was shot in your presence at the scene of the
incident. Is this correct?
Witness: It is not true that Abu Saeed was shot in my presence at the scene. However, at the time of the shooting, I was beside my colleagues. I was present during the lathi-charge. But I did not take part in it (lathi-charge).

Defense Counsel: Where were you at the time of lathi-charge?
Witness: I was outside BRU’s Gate No. 1 at the time of lathi-charge.

Defense Counsel: Where was your location when tear shell was shot?
Witness: Tear shells were shot twice. When tear shell was shot for the first time, I was at Gate No. 1 of BRU. When tear shell was shot for the second time, I was behind the gate.

Defense Counsel: There is a CCTV camera at Gate No. 1 of BRU. Did you notice that?
Witness: I did not notice any CCTV camera at Gate No. 1 of BRU.

Defense Counsel: Did you see the incident being captured by camera by different TV channels
along with mobile phones?
Witness: Yes, I saw the incident being captured by camera by different TV channels along with
mobile phones.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): All of you officers were wearing helmets (during the event)—is
it true?
Witness: It is true that we, all the officers

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): You had actively participated in the killing of Abu Saeed along
with suppressing the anti-quota movement.
Witness: It is not true that I had actively participated in the killing of Abu Saeed along with
suppressing the anti-quota movement.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion):  While you were at BRU (Begum Rokeya University) Constable
Sujan Chandra Roy moved forward firing shotgun.
Witness: It is not true that Constable Sujan Chandra Roy moved forward firing shotgun during my stay at BRU (Begum Rokeya University).

Cross-examination by Adv. Azizur Rahman Dulu in favour of accused nos. 8– Amir Hossain and 9– Sujan Chandra Roy.
Adopted the cross-examination by Adv. Aminul Ghani Titto.

XXX Cross-examination by Adv. Mamunur Rashid in favour of absconding accused nos.
16– Pomel Barua, 17–22, 24.
Adopted the cross-examination by Adv. Aminul Ghani Titto.

Cross-examination by Barrister in favour of Israt Jahan Oni in favour of the absconding accused nos. 2– Md. Monir, 3-9).
Adopted the cross-examination by Adv. Aminul Ghani Titto, and made the following cross-examination:

Defense Counsel: On 16/07/2024 at 8:45 AM, the 14 people who came to you from theMetropolitan Police Line, came vide which CC number?
Witness: I do not know vide which CC number the 14 people came to me from the Metropolitan Police Line on 16/07/2024 at 8:45 AM.

Defense Counsel: Can you tell the names of the 14 people who came?
Witness: I cannot tell the names of all those 14 people. However, I can tell the names of one or
two people. They are SI Ashraful Islam, SI (Armed) Amir Hossain, Nayek AB Siddique. I remember their names.

Defense Counsel: Do you remember vide which CC number the 25 police members came to you with shields and batons?
Witness: I do not remember vide which CC number the 25 police members came with batons.

Defense Counsel: Did you know any of these 25 people beforehand?
Witness: I did not know them beforehand.

Defense Counsel: The OC of Tajhat Police Station verbally took seven police members [with him]. Do you remember whether the three people mentioned above were among these seven people?
Witness: I do not remember whether the three people I mentioned above were among the seven people.

Defense Counsel: At what time did the OC of Tajhat Police Station verbally take the seven police members?
Witness: At approximately 10:30 AM, the OC of Tajhat Police Station took seven people. 5/7
minutes after this, one SI of Tajhat Police Station took the remaining 7 people.

Defense Counsel: Do you remember the name of that one SI?
Witness: I do not remember the name of that one SI. Verbally, considering the emergency
situation, I let the remaining 7 persons (police members) go with an SI.

Defense Counsel: Do you remember whether the three police members named by you were among these seven people?
Witness: I do not remember whether the three police members named by me were among these seven people.

Defense Counsel: How did everyone including you obstruct [the procession]?
Witness: AC Arifuzzaman, by giving a warning through a hand mic, obstructed the procession.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): The student-masses threw brickbats from that procession, forcing you to move away, and they moved forward.
Witness: It is not true that the student-masses threw brickbats from that procession, forcing us to move away and they moved forward.

Defense Counsel: Did you hear with your own ears what DC Maruf Sir briefed AC Arifuzzaman Sir?
Witness: I did not hear with my own ears what DC Maruf Sir briefed AC Arifuzzaman Sir.

Defense Counsel: Did he warn only with a mic at the gate of Begum Rokeya University?
Witness: It is true that AC Arifuzzaman tried to stop the procession by warning through a mic at Gate No. 1 of BRU (Begum Rokeya University).
Defense Counsel (Suggestion): At that time the students did not throw brickbats at you.
Witness: It is not true that at that time the students did not throw brickbats at us.

Defense Counsel: When did the students subsequently throw brickbats at you?
Witness: I cannot say correctly from when the students threw brickbats at us. However, at the
time when the officers, employees, teachers of the university and boys of Chhatra League threw brickbats from behind Gate No. 1, then the protesting students also threw brickbats.

Defense Counsel: When AC Arifuzzaman Sir gave the direction to disperse [the student-masses’s crowd] by lathi charging, did you hear it with your own ears?
Witness: I heard with my own ears the instruction given by AC Arifuzzaman Sir to disperse [the
student-masses’s crowd] by lathi charging.

Defense Counsel: Can you tell the exact number of how many of your fellow police members
lathi charged?
Witness: The exact number of how many of my fellow police members lathi charged is not
known.

Defense Counsel: Did you fire any tear shells (at approximately when 14:00 ADC (DB) Shah Nur
Alam Patwary, along with his officers and force, entered through the pocket gate of Begum Rokeya University)?
Witness: I did not fire any tear shells when ADC (DB) Shah Nur Alam Patwary, along with his
officers and force, entered through the pocket gate of Begum Rokeya University at
approximately 14:00.

Defense Counsel: Did you hear with your own ears the matter concerning direct order and
supervision of AC Arifuzzaman and Officer-in-Charge of Tajhat Police Station, Robiul Islam?Witness: I heard with my own ears.

Defense Counsel: Where were you at that time?
Witness: At that time, I was also behind Gate No. 1.

Defense Counsel: Did AC Arifuzzaman and Tajhat Police Station OC Robiul Islam give any
direct order to shoot, or did they supervise regarding shooting?
Witness: They did not give direct orders to shoot or supervise regarding shooting.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): Is this true that AC Arifuzzaman and Tajhat Police Station OC Robiul Islam did not give direct orders to shoot or did not supervise regarding shooting?
Witness: It is not true that AC Arifuzzaman and Tajhat Police Station OC Robiul Islam did not
give direct orders to shoot or did not supervise regarding shooting.

Defense Counsel: Where were you at the time when a young man with both arms spread out was shot?
Witness: At the time when the young man with both arms spread out was shot, I was behind the gate. However, the gate was open. At that time AC Arifuzzaman was behind the gate.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion):  There was no instruction from senior police officers in the
shooting of the young man with both arms spread out, and he died due to the impact of brickbats thrown by the protesters from behind.
Witness: It is not true that there was no instruction from senior police officers behind the
shooting of the young man with both arms spread out, and he died due to the impact of brickbats thrown by the protesters from behind.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion):  Although you were on duty at the scene on the date of the
incident, you did not follow any instructions.
Witness: It is not true that I did not follow any instructions even after being on duty at the scene
on the date of the incident.

Defense Counsel (Suggestion): You used force on the students and you gave false testimony to
save yourself in collusion with the higher authorities.
Witness: It is not true that I used force on the students or that I gave false testimony to save
myself in collusion with the higher authorities.

Defence Counsel in favour of accused 13, Defence Counsel in favour of accused 15,25, 26, 27
and Defence Counsel in favour of accused 23; 29 adopted the cross-examination by Adv.
Aminul Ghani Titto.