The air in Bangladesh crackled with tension on August 2nd as the student protests surged forward. What unfolded as a day of peaceful protest across Bangladesh quickly devolved into violence, revealing the harsh reality of the struggle for justice and the government’s desperation to maintain control. We delve into the clashes that unfolded in Khulna, Uttara, Habiganj, and beyond that lead to two deaths and left almost 150 injured, offering a comprehensive look at the day’s events and the underlying issues that fueled them.
Khulna: The Brutal Repression
Around 3:30 pm, several thousand students attempted to gather at Shibbari intersection in Khulna as part of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s protest. Their spirits were high, and they were determined to demand justice for the violence inflicted upon them. However, a heavy police presence thwarted their initial attempt, forcing them to regroup at the Shonadanga bus terminal.
As they marched towards Gollamari, their peaceful procession was abruptly disrupted. Without any provocation, the police intervened, forcing the students to take positions near the local weather office and Zero Point area. The next moments were a blur of confusion and terror as the police charged at them with batons, rubber bullets, and tear gas.
Tanim Mahmud, a protester, recounted, "We were marching peacefully. Police attacked us without any provocation." His words echoed the collective outrage among the demonstrators.
Over 50 protesters were injured, with many seeking medical attention at the university medical center. Despite the visible injuries, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mozammel Haque denied any harm caused by police action, claiming they showed restraint and only acted when provoked by brick-throwing students. This narrative starkly contrasted with the firsthand experiences of unprovoked violence.
The sight of students running for cover, their faces contorted in pain and fear, will remain a haunting image for those who witnessed it. The brutality of the police's response was a stark reminder of the lengths to which the government would go to silence dissent. Despite the chaos, the protesters' resolve remained unbroken, a testament to their determination to fight for justice.
One image remains seared in my mind: a policeman on an armored personnel carrier, smiling as he fired tear shells at the protesters. It reminded us, in a chilling way, of the brutality and moral corruption we had to confront.
Some even reported hearing police officers speaking in Hindi, fueling suspicions of RAW's involvement. But amidst the chaos, there was a glimmer of hope. The teachers of Khulna University stood by the protesters, barring the police from entering the campus and offering the protesters protection.
Uttara: A Scene of Chaos
In Uttara, Dhaka, the scene was equally harrowing. The clash erupted near Milestone School and College in Sector 11 as the protesters headed towards Zamzam Tower with their mass rally around 4:15 pm. The police and ruling party supporters had already taken positions, and the tension was palpable.
As the protesters neared the intersection, the ruling party men, armed with weapons and sticks, attempted to chase them away, sparking a chaotic chase and counter-chase. The police intervened with sound grenades and tear gas, further escalating the violence. Witnesses reported seeing helmeted individuals attacking the students, and the police launching sound grenades and firing rubber bullets.
Dulal Howlader, a local businessman, was among those caught in the chaos. He was hit on the head by a brick and sought treatment at Crescent Hospital. Another student, Tahmid Huzaifa, was struck by rubber bullets and treated at Uttara Adhunik Hospital.
By 5:00 pm, the police had taken position in front of Zamzam Tower, dispersing the protesters with tear gas as they tried to regroup. The air was thick with tear gas, and the sound of grenades echoed through the streets.
One witness, who requested anonymity, described how helmeted individuals armed with sticks and weapons attacked the students mercilessly. They chased students through the streets of Sector 11, with the police adding to the terror by lobbing sound grenades. The image of a wounded student lying in a pool of blood is one that will not be easily forgotten.
In a bid to save themselves, many protesters, both male and female, took refuge in random buildings. The police and AL activists surrounded these buildings, threatening the security guards to hand over the protesters or face vandalism. In some instances, they stormed in, weapons in hand, searching for them.
The sight of female students being beaten with sticks as they tried to flee was unforgettable. Abdur Razzak Jewel, the founder and vice president of Uttara West Chatro League, was caught on video threatening the protesters, saying, 'I'll shoot you if you talk too much.'
Habiganj: A Tragic Loss and Unrest
In Habiganj, the protest turned deadly. Mostak Ahmed, a 24-year-old electrician, was tragically killed during clashes between protesters and the police. The violence erupted after Friday prayers as part of the anti-discrimination student movement’s demonstrations.
Mostak had come to Habiganj for work and was caught in the chaos when he went to buy a pair of shoes. He was shot and later succumbed to his injuries. His passing emphasized the indiscriminate violence that the protesters faced.
The clashes in Habiganj were fierce, with over 50 people injured and the district Awami League office torched. The police’s heavy-handed response involved firing rubber bullets and tear gas, further inflaming the situation.
According to witnesses, hundreds of protesters brought out a procession after the Friday prayers. When the rally was crossing the district Awami League office around 3:00 pm, some unidentified miscreants set it on fire. This act of arson led to a violent clash between students, locals, and law enforcers, leaving at least 50 people injured on both sides.
The protesters also pelted brickbats and stones at the residence of Habiganj-3 constituency Member of Parliament Abu Zahir.
Noor Bakht, a contractor who worked with Mostak, recounted the tragic events. "We heard that people brought him to a hospital with a gunshot wound. He died before we could reach the hospital," Bakht said, his voice tinged with sorrow and disbelief. The senseless death of Mostak, who was simply going about his daily life, highlights the indiscriminate nature of the violence that has plagued these protests.
Nationwide Protests and Solidarity
Across Bangladesh, the protests gained momentum. In Dhaka, thousands from various walks of life – students, teachers, guardians, lawyers, doctors, cultural activists, and concerned citizens – joined hands in massive processions. Key intersections like Uttara, Science Lab, and Mirpur-10 were blocked, and the streets echoed with demands for justice and the resignation of the government.
In Sylhet, police opened fire on students near Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, adding to the day’s grim tally of violence. Despite the brutality, the resolve of the protesters remained unshaken.
The nationwide solidarity among different groups highlighted the widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s actions. Protests were held in Chattogram, Khulna, Sylhet, Habiganj, Barishal, Bhola, and several other districts. Demonstrators blocked highways in Tangail, Bogura, and Pabna. The unity displayed by various sectors of society underscored the gravity of the situation and the collective desire for change.
To coincide with the nationwide protests organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the government enforced a shutdown of Facebook and Messenger services for approximately seven hours.
Mobile internet users found themselves unable to access these social media platforms from noon until around 7:00 pm. This restriction aimed to prevent effective communication among protesters and curtail the spread of information.
The shutdown followed a broader pattern of internet restrictions that had been implemented since July 17, amid widespread violence over the quota reform protests. Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube were initially blocked, and mobile internet was shut down nationwide the following day. Although broadband internet services resumed on a limited scale on July 23 and mobile internet was restored on July 28, the intermittent restrictions significantly impacted public life and economic activities.
State Minister for Telecoms and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak publicly apologized for the internet disruptions and acknowledged the government's failure to prevent rumors on social media. "If I have made any mistakes, as a worker of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League, I apologize publicly. I also take responsibility for the internet disruption and failure to prevent rumors on social media," Palak stated, emphasizing the government's accountability.
The Search for Justice
As the dust settles on the harrowing events of August 2nd, one question echoes across the nation: Why does the mindless killing continue? The Prime Minister and several ministers repeatedly ask why students are still demonstrating if the quota reform has already been implemented. This question only highlights how disconnected they are from the reality on the ground.
More than 200 people were killed, with 150 deaths admitted by the government, due to the police and BGB's indiscriminate firing. Over 400 people sought eye treatment in a single Dhaka hospital during the violence. Think about the total number of casualties nationwide. How many more will endure amputations, surgeries, and lifelong disabilities? These numbers show unjustifiable violence, not justifiable police action.
Today's issue is justice. Seeking justice for the massacre of students and citizens, the police and BGB have become killing machines, with arrests, raids, and false cases against demonstrators.
The killings during the quota reform movement were unprecedented in Bangladesh's post-liberation history. This was not a one-time event, but rather a series of violent acts over several days. There was no reflection or reassessment, just a continuous onslaught on the people.
What has brought the ruling party to this point? Fifteen years of unchecked power, greed, cronyism, wealth accumulation, abuse of authority, and lawlessness.
The tragic deaths of innocent individuals, such as Riya Gope, a six-year-old girl shot while in her father's embrace on the rooftop of a four-story building, and Sumaiya Akter, a young mother hit by a bullet while standing on her veranda on the sixth floor, bring attention to the unjustifiable and disproportionate application of force. The acts of violence, including the reports of helicopters firing rifles at crowds, display a level of brutality typically associated with war zones, not actions against one's own people.
The increased use of force has only intensified anger and animosity, demonstrating that unchecked power inevitably leads to corruption. The government needs to stop deceiving itself. Those who choose to disregard credible evidence will face serious consequences.
Next Steps
The organizers of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement have declared a countrywide non-cooperation movement starting Sunday to protest recent killings and press home their nine-point demand.
Today, Saturday, demonstrations will be staged across the country, as announced by Mahin Sarker, one of the platform's coordinators, through a Whatsapp message. The movement urges everyone to join and ensure the success of their programs.
Despite initial plans to revise the statement, Mahin confirmed late last night that it would stand as is. Asif Mahmud, another coordinator who was in the custody of the Detective Branch, shared a message identical to Mahin's.
Abdul Hannan, another key figure, also confirmed their plans via a Facebook live, declaring an all-out non-cooperation movement from Sunday. This includes a refusal to pay taxes or utility bills, a shutdown of the secretariat, government and private offices, and a blockade of key government buildings such as Gono Bhaban and Bangabhaban.
Hannan's call for non-cooperation aims to incapacitate the government's functions. Their nine-point demand is significant, including an apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the resignations of several high-profile ministers.
The Path Forward
The government's back is against the wall, and their desperation is leading them to more mistakes. Today, August 2nd, was a day of brutality and defiance. It was a day that showed the lengths to which the regime will go to maintain control and the unyielding spirit of the students and civilians who stand against it.
These last few days have galvanized the nation, making it clear that the fight for rights, for the future, and for a Bangladesh that respects the voices of its people is far from over. This is now a movement for change, and the resolve to see it through remains unyielding. The mindless killing must be answered for, and those responsible must be held accountable.
An ultimatum had been given to the police to not fire at students, yet they did. It was a desperate move by a government playing a numbers game, targeting areas where we were fewer in number: Khulna, Habiganj, Sylhet, and Uttara.
But this was a grave mistake. The attacks have only fueled our resolve. Civilians are more agitated than ever, and students have called for a non-cooperation movement, echoing the nostalgia of historical resistance.
HSC candidates have boycotted exams, and the call for the Prime Minister's removal is growing louder.
The government's back is against the wall, and their desperation is leading them to more mistakes. Today, August 2nd, was a day of brutality and defiance. It was a day that showed the lengths to which the regime will go to maintain control and the unyielding spirit of the students and civilians who stand against it.
The international community has also begun to take notice. Human rights organizations have called for investigations, and diaspora communities have voiced their support for the protesters. The pressure is mounting on the government to address the grievances of its people and to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.
For the students and other protesters, the struggle continues. They have vowed to keep fighting until their demands are met. The call for justice for the victims of police brutality is louder than ever, and the resolve to end the cycle of violence and oppression is unwavering.
The deaths, injuries, and trauma inflicted on innocent people must be answered for, and those responsible must be held accountable. The people of Bangladesh deserve better, and the fight for justice will continue until real change is achieved.
