Imran Ahmed, a student of Rangpur Carmichael College, testified at the International Crimes Tribunal-2 that fellow student Abu Sayed of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) was struck severely on the back of his head during a sudden police attack, causing him to bleed.
He said that police fired sound grenades and tear shells without any warning and launched a sudden attack, forcing students to scatter in different directions, with many sustaining serious injuries.
Imran gave his statement on Tuesday before a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Chairman Judge Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
He testified as witness number 13 in the case accusing 30 people — including former vice‑chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Hasibur Rashid — of crimes against humanity in connection with the killing of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July uprising.
Imran told the court that he completed his master’s in history at Carmichael College and had taken part in the 2018 quota reform movement while an undergraduate. As a master’s student in July 2024, he joined the anti‑discrimination student movement activities in Rangpur.
He recounted that on July 16, around noon, they set out from Rangpur in a procession heading toward Modern Mor. When they reached the Lalbagh area, activists of the Awami League's student wing Chhatra League tried to block them with makeshift weapons but withdrew because they were outnumbered.
They continued chanting slogans and by about 1pm reached near Gate No1 after passing Gate No2 of Begum Rokeya University. An hour later, police stopped them, but they kept chanting. Suddenly, without any warning, police began firing sound grenades and tear shells and launched an unexpected assault. Students scattered; many were seriously hurt.
Imran said BRUR student Abu Sayed received a grievous blow to the back of his head and started bleeding. Police remained positioned inside the university gate. He named a number of Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League and party‑affiliated activists who were already present — including Pomel Barua, Mahfuz, Arif, Babul, Togor, Fazle Rabbi, Akhtar, Akash, Masud Rana, Sejan Mahmud — and said the university administration did not act to remove the external Chhatra League activists. Instead, the proctor briefly accompanied the student‑league and police.
Among the university teachers present, he listed Mashiur Rahman, Asad Mondol, officer Rafiul Hasan Rasel, Moniruzzaman Polash, Hafizur Rahman Tufan, and staffers Nurunnabi, Nur Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, Amir Hasan Amu and Anwar Parvez Apel.
After 2pm some students tried to force the gate open, but those inside — including Awami League and Chhatra League activists, teachers, officers, staff, and police officers such as ex assistant commissioners of police Imran, Arif, camp in‑charge Bibhuti Bhushan Roy and Tajhat OC Robiul — began throwing bricks at the students. Police officers then began firing while coming out, scattering the students.
Imran said that at that moment, Abu Sayed stood with his arms outstretched in front of Gate No 1 and was shot at point‑blank range by the police.
After the first shot, he staggered back a little but was shot again. He crossed the road divider and fell back. Ayan, who was a bit further back, came forward and held Abu Sayed. Saju Roy and several others then took him to the hospital, where about an hour later they learned he had died.
Imran went on to name a group of officers and university staff whom he said were responsible for Abu Sayed’s death — including then‑police commissioner Moniruzzaman, DC (Crime) Abu Maruf, ADC (DB) Shah Nurul Alam Patwary, AC Arif, Tajhat OC Robiul, and university teachers Mashiur Rahman, Asad Mondol, officer Rafiul Hasan Rasel, Hafizur Rahman Tufan and Moniruzzaman Polash — and said ASI Amir Hossain and constable Sujon Chandra fired the shots that killed Abu Sayed with their direct and indirect cooperation. He demanded punishment for each of them as accomplices and eyewitness perpetrators.
After giving evidence, Imran was cross‑examined by four state‑appointed lawyers representing 24 absconding accused and by the defence lawyers of six present accused.
Prosecutor Mizanul Islam led the prosecution; prosecutors Moinul Karim and Abdus Sattar Palowan were also present.