by 
A BBC Eye investigation has uncovered chilling details about the police killings in Jatrabari, one of Dhaka’s busiest areas, on 5 August 2024, where at least 52 people were killed by indiscriminate police firing. The incident is considered one of the deadliest episodes of police violence in Bangladesh’s history.The massacre occurred on the day Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled to India, following 36 days of student-led protests. To uncover the details of this horrific event, BBC analyzed hundreds of videos, images, and eyewitness accounts, alongside multiple on-site visits to Jatrabari. The investigation revealed previously unreported details about how the killings began and unfolded. On 5 August, police opened fire on protesters immediately after army personnel, who had been separating the police from the crowd, withdrew from the area. The firing continued for over 30 minutes, targeting fleeing protesters trying to escape through alleyways and highways. A critical video obtained by BBC, recorded by a protester named Miraj Hossain, who was himself killed by police gunfire, captured the moments when the shooting began. The video, retrieved from Miraj’s phone by his family, documented his final moments. Metadata analysis indicates the indiscriminate firing started at 2:43 PM. CCTV footage from a nearby building showed protesters running for their lives, with some being kicked by police while injured. Drone footage further revealed that by 3:17 PM, police were still firing on protesters along the highway, with bodies of the dead and injured scattered across the road. Protesters attempted to transport the wounded to hospitals using vans, rickshaws, and motorcycles. In retaliation, hours later, a group of enraged protesters set fire to Jatrabari Police Station, resulting in the deaths of at least six police officers. Initial reports estimated 30 deaths, but BBC’s verification of media reports, family interviews, hospital records, and social media posts confirmed at least 52 civilian deaths. Several lawsuits have been filed against police officers, including the then Officer-in-Charge of Jatrabari Police Station, Abul Hasan, who was present during the massacre. A Bangladesh Police spokesperson acknowledged the incident, stating to BBC, “Regrettable incidents occurred during the July uprising where certain members of the police engaged in excessive force and unprofessional conduct.” The police have initiated thorough investigations, prioritizing criminal cases related to the protests to ensure justice.
