As I write this, I have no access to information, the internet, or any form of connectivity with the outside world apart from telephone calls. I have only spoken to neighbours, relatives, friends, and family to fully be able to understand what is going on.
As we see violence unfold on the streets that are allegedly being conducted by members of the opposition groups, we must not fail to recognize that the failure of de-escalation in the country forever rests with those in power. The disaster all started as several members of the ruling-party student wing attacked unarmed students, including women, with sticks and other weaponry -- as shown in various national newspaper images.
Moreover, the unwarranted comments calling the peaceful and just protesters “razakars” had ignited further passion into both the public and private university going students. Needless to say, the killing of fellow students in Bangladesh, such as Abu Sayeed in Rangpur and 17 year old Farhan Faiyaaz near Brac University in Dhaka, by the police had shook the nation to its core.
I had joined a quota reform protest near Bashundhara Gate on July 18 with some North South university students. I am an english medium student under the british curriculum, but as an activist and a fellow human being, no matter our background we must come together and stand for our country, as it was meant to be when it was founded for all our people in 1971. Me, a few other students, and my driver uncle had helped distribute 200 packets of water, saline, face masks, and 400 packets of cakes to fellow students protesting around the area.
A police water cannon/tank had already arrived but were successfully dispersed by the students as they chanted for the police to step back. This was around 11 in the morning, and no signs of BCL or the police were seen around the Bashundhara gate.
Since we had given the essential supplies to students we decided to come back home. But tragedy had already struck. The police fired shots inside the university and killed at least two students and injured many. Such guilt will always remain with me that I had the opportunity and privilege to go back home.
At night, television channels had already reported the decision of the government to impose a curfew. On July 19, at around 9:55pm, a series of gunshots were heard around the Evercare hospital area. Helicopters were heard throughout the day where some type of gas or warm water was released from up top onto protesters (we are not sure if they are students). The area looks chaotic with bricks laying around and heavy police presence.
We heard helicopters around the sky, day and night, and even onto the next day.
I received a phone call from one of my relatives living in Mirpur 10. He described the area as a blood bath, where many groups were shot by police officers, but they weren’t sure if the people who had been shot were students or not. He reported that the place was filled with smoke with small stones laying around the whole area. Earlier in the afternoon, the overbridge in Mirpur 10 had been set on fire which also had caused significant disturbance to the movement of the metro rail station.
Such guilt will always remain with me that I had the opportunity and privilege to go back home
A day or two passed with the lack of communication, as many of us, like many others, struggled to load mobile credit with the usual system not functioning in regards to bkash and other mobile networks.
On July 21, my family and I decided to go get some essentials for our home. This was around 7:40 pm. Many had come out within the residential area, given the lack of internet and supplies, to care for both their mental and physical health.
We remained outside for another half hour, but as we were out, my driver-uncle called me and said, "There has been shooting near the Evercare hospital again, please go home as soon as possible." As soon as I heard the news I told my mother to go back home, and we saw that every person who had come outside for similar purposes had started running in fear and sheer panic. We decided to do the same, and thankfully made it back home safely.
My neighbourhood was echoing with gunshots. At least 10-20 rounds were fired in the area. Many eye witnesses who happen to be my immediate neighbours say that the military had gotten into the area and fired rounds because they were chasing a covered van that allegedly contained members of the opposition group who may have been armed. The chase continued from that area of Pragati Sarani or Vatara uptill Bashundhara. Eye witnesses claim at least three were shot.
As I conclude my report, my area still has no connectivity with the outside world. In our constitution freedom of expression is guaranteed under article 19, hence, denying the right to people only worsens what is taking place in the country.
The youth largely condemns the internet blackout, as order could have easily been restored if the authorities had only agreed to negotiate with unarmed, innocent students demanding a fairer shot at jobs and education. Had they not deployed the police or their goons to attack students and shoot them, perhaps our country would not have been in this situation.
The youth's opinion that is often dismissed has only been further diminished with the closure of the internet. There is also the massive, already struggling, working-class population unable to afford basic essentials such as vegetables, who have seen these prices skyrocket.
The opposition groups in Bangladesh may be no better, but the ruling party had every opportunity to be so. They failed in every step and chose the path that lost many innocent and unarmed students’ lives.
MD Redowanuzzaman Rayan is the founder of the non-profit organization Project Unity, and a student at Academia School.
