Newly examined video footage has revealed two previously undocumented incidents of police brutality during protests that erupted in Bangladesh last year, leading to the downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime. According to the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), Bangladeshi police killed or injured at least 20 unarmed protesters in Dhaka on 5 August 2024— the day Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled the country.
Shocking Evidence of Police Violence
ITJP, a human rights organization, analyzed footage, revealing the deliberate targeting of peaceful demonstrators by police. Two incidents took place outside the Jatrabari police station and involved the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians. Callum Macrae, a filmmaker who reviewed videos, described me as “extraordinary, chilling, and grotesque.” He added, “It is quite clear from the footage that police were under no threat and had no justification in law for using lethal violence.”
Yasmin Sooka, ITJP’s executive director, called police actions “horrific,” adding that evidence underscores the need for an independent judicial truth and justice process. “Considering that protesters were unarmed, it is shocking that police used live ammunition,” she said.
Key Incidents on 5 August
the first incident occurred outside the Jatrabari police station, where students gathered in protest. Smartphone videos show police firing 12-gauge pump-action shotguns loaded with lethal cartridges at a crowd. Additional footage depicts an officer throwing a grenade into protesters before opening fire again, causing chaos and bloodshed. At least 19 people were confirmed dead or injured in this single event.
In the second incident, a 20-year-old protester named Mohammed Riddoy was surrounded by police and shot in the back at point-blank range. Video footage shows officers dragging his body away, and Riddoy has not been seen since. His family has pleaded for the return of his remains, but authorities deny any knowledge of his whereabouts. “I want him to be recognized as a martyr,” said his sister, Jasmine Akhter. “We are a very poor family, and I hope the government will take care of my parents.”
Accountability and Arrests
Baharul Alam, inspector general of Bangladeshi police, confirmed that investigations into police misconduct are ongoing. “At least 30 officers have already been arrested,” he said, noting that two officers have been detained for their involvement in Riddoy’s killing.
ITJP’s findings align with a broader report by Amnesty International, which highlighted the unlawful use of lethal force during protests. On just one day, 19 July, at least 148 people were killed, including 40 minors, suggesting the true death toll from violence may be far higher than previously reported.
Hasina’s Fall and Exile
Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime faced mounting accusations of corruption, human rights abuses, and tyranny during her 15 years in power. When protests erupted in July 2024, her administration responded with unprecedented brutality, killing over 1,000 protesters and leaving hundreds more blinded or severely injured. Protests culminated in an all-out revolution, forcing Hasina to flee the country on 5 August 2024 as the army refused to fire on civilians.
Since her exile in India, Hasina and her senior officials have faced numerous legal cases in Bangladesh, including charges of mass murder, crimes against humanity, and corruption. An arrest warrant and extradition request have been issued against her, though she continues to deny all allegations.
International Implications
release of the videos has amplified calls for justice and accountability. “This film makes clear how important it is that re is an independent judicial truth and justice process which can have the confidence of Bangladeshi people,” Macrae said. Meanwhile, ITJP’s collaboration with international organizations like Tech Global Institute aims to shed light on the extent of violence and ensure those responsible are held to account.
As Bangladesh begins to heal from the scars of Hasina’s regime, the demand for transparency and justice grows louder. Newly uncovered evidence serves as a grim reminder of the cost of authoritarianism and the resilience of those who stood against it.
