Home ministry bins police report claiming 'terrorists' killed Yamin during July protests

Home ministry has rejected a police report on the killing of Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) student Shykh Aashhabul Yamin, stating that its findings contradict available video evidence.

A recent report submitted by a police probe committee claimed that Yamin was not shot by police but rather killed by fellow "terrorist" protesters on 18 July 2024 during the anti-discrimination student movement.

However, the Armed Forces Division opposed this claim in a letter to the Home Ministry's Public Security Division-1 and requested an investigation, asserting that sufficient video footage and circumstantial evidence indicate Yamin was killed by police gunfire.

In reviewing the police report, the Home Ministry noted that it stated Yamin had climbed onto a police armoured personnel carrier (APC) and attempted to attack officers inside, prompting them to close the hatch.

The police report further alleged that an unidentified "terrorist" from among the protesters shot Yamin, who then succumbed to his injuries while being pelted with brick chips by other protesters.

However, the Home Ministry found that the report did not align with widely circulated video footage from the scene.

"So, there are doubts over the authenticity and accuracy of the report. As the police probe committee only took accounts from the policemen and did not interview eyewitnesses or journalists, the investigation process appears biased and unacceptable," the ministry's review stated.

"For an impartial and professional probe, it was highly necessary for the committee to take accounts from all concerned parties. The three members of the committee breached professional norms and neglected their duties. Therefore, the Public Security Division recommended their suspension," it added.

Home Ministry Senior Information Officer Faisal Hasan confirmed that one of the three policemen involved in the probe had been sent to forced retirement, while the other two were dismissed from duty. Departmental action has also been sought against them.

The Business Standard contacted the three probe committee members – Noor-e-Alam, additional superintendent of police (admin and finance), Abdullah Al Mamun, assistant superintendent of police (DSB) and Enayet Hossain, assistant superintendent of police (SAF) Dhaka – but they declined to comment.

Yamin's family also rebuffs police probe 

Md Mohi Uddin, Yamin's father, said eyewitnesses initially informed them that his son was killed by police gunfire.

"We do not believe the police theory mentioned in their probe report. I have not gone through the report myself, but I cannot accept it," he told TBS.

Yamin's last conversation with his father was at 10:30am on the day of the incident. He had asked if his father knew of any hospitals in Mirpur that could admit injured protesters.

"[Later,] when we saw Yamin at the hospital that day, he appeared to be asleep. The doctors informed us that he had died before receiving any medical treatment," Mohi Uddin said.

The family claimed they faced difficulties in bringing Yamin's body home, as authorities insisted on a post-mortem. However, with the help of protesting students, they eventually managed to do so.

After receiving Yamin's body from Enam Medical College Hospital, the family attempted to bury him next to his paternal grandparents in Kushtia.

However, the police informed them that they needed permission. When they tried to bury him next to his maternal grandparents in Savar, they were again blocked, as police insisted on a post-mortem.

Since Mohi Uddin had refused a post-mortem, the family ultimately buried Yamin in a community graveyard in Savar.

Meanwhile, Yamin's family yesterday refused to exhume his body prompting officials to suspend the procedure ordered by the court.

In the morning, a team led by Dhaka district executive magistrate, along with police, identified Yamin's grave in Savar with the help of his uncle and plaintiff in the case.

However, the family later declined to proceed and submitted a written request citing Yamin's "martyr status."

The magistrate said the suspension would be reported to the court, which will decide the next steps. Yamin's uncle said his parents opposed the exhumation, as existing evidence, including video footage, was sufficient for justice.

Eyewitness account of the incident   

The Business Standard Savar correspondent, who was present at the scene on 18 July provided a detailed account of the incident.

During a clash between protesters, police, and Awami League-affiliated groups around 2pm, a navy blue police APC arrived at the main lane of the Dhaka-Aricha highway near Nabinagar.

The APC moved in reverse while positioned in front of the market road near the old overbridge at the Savar bus stand.

At one point, Yamin crossed the service lane divider and climbed onto the back of the APC. Police personnel inside the vehicle closed the hatch as Yamin got close. He then attempted to open the hatch.

CCTV footage from the scene shows that an officer wearing a police jacket, positioned on the Nabinagar-bound service lane, fired at Yamin while standing near the road divider.

Two other uniformed policemen ran to the spot, and one of them fired multiple shots, causing Yamin to collapse on top of the APC.

The APC then moved in reverse towards the VAT office near the Savar bus stand. After reaching the location, Yamin's body was dragged off the vehicle by uniformed police personnel and thrown onto the Nabinagar-bound main road.