[object Object]

From Dhaka, The Daily Star reports on the ongoing investigation by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) into the events of the Shapla Chattar crackdown on May 5, 2013. Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has confirmed that evidence points to at least 32 killings in Dhaka during that period. This update signals continued efforts to bring accountability for past violence, a critical aspect of Bangladesh's post-independence political narrative.

“

We have yet to complete the investigation… I cannot give the total number of victims, but we have found that 32 people were killed in Dhaka.

The ICT's meticulous approach, as described by Aminul Islam, emphasizes a commitment to a fair and controversy-free investigation. The delay in submitting the final report, attributed to the need for comprehensive evidence collection, particularly from Chattogram, underscores the complexity of these cases. The potential for the number of accused to exceed 20 to 25, with alleged links to law enforcement, government officials, and student wings of political parties, highlights the deep-seated nature of the issues being examined.

“

We are taking time so that those involved can be brought to trial through a proper investigation.

This investigation is particularly significant from a Bangladeshi perspective as it touches upon a period of intense political turmoil and violence. The mention of previous arrest warrants for prominent figures, including a former prime minister and high-ranking police officials, and ongoing cases related to the July uprising, demonstrates a sustained focus on addressing alleged crimes against humanity. The testimony of police constable Nahid Mia, detailing alleged orders to fire live rounds, further illustrates the gravity of the events under scrutiny. For many in Bangladesh, these trials represent a crucial, albeit often contentious, process of reckoning with historical injustices and establishing a precedent for accountability.

“

On March 12, the ICT issued arrest warrants for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, then DMP commissioner Benazir Ahmed, and Imran H Sarker, spokesperson for Gonojagoron Mancha, over the killings during the protest.