Killing Of Abu Sayed

On 16 July 2024, Abu Sayed, a student activist from Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, was killed by police during a protest as part of the quota reform movement, which later escalated into the July Revolution in Bangladesh. As a coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination organisation, Sayed had been actively involved in organizing demonstrations calling for changes to the public service recruitment system. His death, captured in graphic video footage that quickly went viral, led to a nationwide response including protests and public statements from rights groups and political organizations. An investigation into the incident is currently being conducted by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

Background

Abu Sayed

Abu Sayed was born in Babanpur village of Pirganj, Rangpur. After completing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination, he received a scholarship to complete his college education. Following which, he passed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination from Rangpur Government College and got admitted to the English department at Begum Rokeya University.

Protests

Sayed was an activist in the 2013 and 2018 quota reform movements. Following the revival of protests after the High Court's 2024 decision to reinstate the quota system, he became the coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, starting from 6 June 2024. Protests had intensified nationwide from early July, with SAD organizing sit-ins and blockades across major campuses. In Rangpur, Sayed led local mobilizations and maintained daily protests in front of the university. On 15 July, he made a Facebook post invoking the spirit of 1969 martyr Mohammad Shamsuzzoha, urging educators to stand with students in the movement.

Event

On the afternoon of 16 July 2024, Abu Sayed participated in a sit-in protest organized by the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) at the main gate of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur. At approximately 2:45 p.m., law enforcement personnel, reportedly accompanied by individuals affiliated with the student wing of the ruling political party, intervened to disperse the protest. According to witness accounts and video footage, police used tear gas, batons, and 12-gauge shotguns firing rubber bullets and birdshot to break up the gathering.

Amid the firing, Sayed remained near the front gate, facing the police. He spread his chest and arms before the policemen, a gesture that became prominent and widespread throughout the protests. Eyewitnesses and available footage indicate that he was struck twice in the chest at close range, estimated between 10 and 15 meters, by shotgun fire. Subsequently getting shot four times with rubber bullets. He sustained critical injuries and was transported by rickshaw to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 3:05 p.m. ( BST). Hospital sources later confirmed he suffered extensive internal bleeding and trauma consistent with multiple pellet injuries.

His body was released the following morning and transported to his home village, Babanpur in Pirganj, where he was buried after a public funeral.

Aftermath

Following the killing, protests took place at multiple universities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Chittagong University, Jahangirnagar University, and Begum Rokeya University. Students organized sit-ins, class boycotts, and campus blockades, demanding action. At Begum Rokeya University, protesters called for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor and University Proctor.

On 28 October 2024, the Begum Rokeya University authorities temporarily suspended two teachers and seven staff members in connection with their involvement in the killing. A judicial commission visited Rangpur from 4 to 7 August 2024 to investigate six deaths during the protests, including Abu Sayed's.

On 26 October 2024, senior police officials, including Inspector General Md. Mainul Islam and Regional Commissioner Md Abdul Mazid, visited Abu Sayed's grave in Babanpur, to offered prayers and met with his family. On 6 April 2025, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed also visited the grave and met with the family.

In an Al Jazeera I Unit investigative documentary film '' HASINA – 36 DAYS IN JULY'' the forensic pathologist who conducted post-mortem alleged that he was pressured to change report five times.Moreover, he was ordered to dismiss gun shot and amplify head injury as a cause of death in death report.

Reaction

Amnesty International issued a statement on 17 July 2024 condemning the killing and called for an independent investigation. On 30 July 2024, Amnesty International published an open letter citing over 200 protest related deaths since mid July and highlighting Abu Sayed's case, calling for accountability.

Human Rights Watch issued a statement on 24 July 2024, addressing repression of protesters and arbitrary arrests connected to the quota reform movement.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) conducted a fact-finding mission in Bangladesh from 14 to 16 September 2024. Its report, published on 12 February 2025, described the use of lethal force by security forces during the protests and highlighted the particular killing of Sayed.

Investigation and legal proceedings

On 13 January 2025, Abu Sayed’s family submitted a formal complaint to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) naming 25 individuals, including police officers, university officials, and student activists, as allegedly involved in his killing. Among those named were Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain, Constable Sujan Chandra Roy, University Proctor Shariful Islam, and Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash. All four were detained. A 12-member ICT investigation team visited Rangpur in late January 2025 to review evidence, including eyewitness testimony and video footage.

On 26 June 2025, investigators submitted a report implicating 30 individuals in Abu Sayed's killing. The report stated that police fired at close range and that university officials and student activists were involved. As of July 2025, the tribunal is reviewing the case, with formal charges pending under the ICT Act.

See also

* July massacre
** Chankharpul massacre
* Human Rights in Bangladesh
* Resignation of Sheikh Hasina
* HASINA – 36 DAYS IN JULY

References

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July 2024 in Bangladesh