Dhaka, Sep 02 (V7N) – Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, now a witness, has given his testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and three others regarding the July-August student-public movement. The testimony session concluded on Tuesday (September 2), with cross-examination scheduled for Wednesday (September 3).

During his statement before the three-member tribunal panel, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, Al Mamun said that prior to the 2018 elections, then IGP Javed Patwary instructed police officers to fill 50 percent of the ballot boxes the night before the polls. Officers performing these duties were rewarded with the BPM and PPM Rashtriya Padak awards.

He described widespread political polarization within the police following the 2014 elections. According to Al Mamun, police officers from the Gopalganj belt gained significant influence, making it difficult for senior officers to maintain control. He noted that his tenure as IGP, originally set to end in 2023, was extended to prevent further factionalism within the force.

Al Mamun further claimed that instructions to detain, bring, or kill individuals through the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) came directly from the Prime Minister’s Office, conveyed via former Prime Minister’s Security and Military Advisor Tariq Siddiqui. He highlighted RAB officers Alep Uddin and Mohiuddin Farooqui as particularly skilled in kidnappings, torture, and killings.

Regarding the July-August movement, he said that from July 19, core committee meetings were held almost nightly at the residence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, attended by top officials including the Home Secretary, DB and SB Chiefs, RAB DG, DMP Commissioner, BGB DG, Ansar GD Major General, NTMC DG, and DGFI Chief. The meetings discussed measures to suppress the movement, including detaining its coordinators.

Al Mamun stated that the coordinators were later arrested, subjected to mental torture, and forced to make statements on television withdrawing the movement. He claimed he had opposed their detention during the core committee meetings but was overruled by the Home Minister, who maintained a close relationship with DB Chief Harun, referred to as ‘Jinn’ for his efficiency in executing government directives.

Concluding his testimony, Al Mamun expressed deep remorse for the actions taken during the movement. “I am ashamed, repentant, and apologize for the incident of killing students and the public by using excessive force to suppress the movement,” he said.

END/SMA/AJ