Police firing killed two in front of me in Chankharpul: Asif Mahmud

LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has said two people were killed in front of him in the capital's Chankharpul area during police firing on August 5, 2024, reports BSS.

"Two people were killed right in front of me. Later I got to learn that six protesters were gunned down by police using Chinese rifles and shotguns on that day in Chankharpul area. Around 1:30 pm that day, we learned that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and fled the country," he said.

Asif made these statements in his testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 as a prosecution witness (PW) in crimes against humanity case lodged over the killings of six innocent people in the city's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024.

He accused ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Khamal , Habibur Rahman, Awami League leaders, as well as commanding authority in the police, of being responsible for the killings in his testimony.

He described how intelligence personnel from various agencies tried to persuade them to withdraw the movement. While being detained at the DB office, they were repeatedly told that they had been brought there under the orders of the prime minister and the home minister, and that failure to comply would result in their killing. "However, the DB spared our lives," he said.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain submitted his deposition as PW-19. He, however, could not conclude his deposition. The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder at the end of the proceedings adjourned the hearing until October 16.