Former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman instructed police to open fire with maximum force to protect their lives, property, and those of the public during the July-August 2024 uprising.
He issued the directive via a wireless message on July 17, 2024. An audio recording of the message was played at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) in Dhaka on Tuesday, during proceedings of a crimes against humanity case.
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kamrul Hasan, who had been serving as a wireless operator at the DMP's Crime Command and Control Centre since before August 5, 2024, provided the recording to the tribunal and gave his deposition as the 50th witness in the case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun are also accused in the case.
In his deposition, ASI Kamrul said the audio captured voices of former commissioner Habibur Rahman, himself, and other personnel exchanging messages.
In the recording, the former DMP commissioner said, "All our officers, wherever you are on duty, in order to protect our lives and property, to protect offices and courts, and to protect the lives and property of the people, you may exercise your maximum power. I have repeatedly instructed and given you freedom depending on the situation."
He added, "You will act accordingly. You will take a kneeling position, kneel, and fire below the waist to bring the situation under control. Over."
ASI Kamrul told the tribunal that he relayed the commissioner's message to police personnel across Dhaka as the operator. He was on duty from 9:00am to 2:00pm, with the directive coming between 11:00am and 11:30am.
After his testimony, Mr Kamrul was cross-examined by state-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain, representing Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan.
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