July-August violence: Dr Sirajul Haque demands trial over police killings & state property destruction

Image- Bangolok

Australia Awami League President and prominent lawyer Dr Sirajul Haque has demanded a trial of those involved in the killing of police personnel and destruction of state property during the July-August 2024 violence.

He made the demand while addressing a prayer gathering organised by the Australia Awami League at Lakemba in Sydney on Saturday (August 15) to mark the August 15 mourning day.

Dr Haque claimed that more than 3,000 police personnel and 10,000 Awami League leaders and activists were killed during the violence in July and August 2024. He also claimed that around two crore Awami League supporters and their families had lost their homes and were seeking justice.

He alleged that BNP and Jamaat activists were responsible for the deaths of more than 3,000 police personnel and extensive damage to state property during the period.

Dr Haque called for those responsible for the killings, violence and destruction to be brought under the law and tried following proper investigations.

He also alleged that widespread false cases had been filed against Awami League leaders and activists, claiming that around one crore people had been accused in various cases. He further alleged that many activists had been subjected to enforced disappearance.

According to Dr Haque, many Awami League leaders and activists are seeking political asylum in different countries to protect their lives amid the political situation. He claimed that Awami League supporters from various professions, including journalists, doctors, engineers, poets, writers and intellectuals, had also been forced to leave the country for political reasons.

He said political differences should not result in any citizen facing unlawful harassment, cases, enforced disappearance or torture.

He also called for cases filed against political leaders and activists to be reviewed impartially and for legal action to be taken against those found to have committed actual offences.

The prayer gathering and mourning meeting was organised in Lakemba to commemorate the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and members of his family on August 15. Leaders and activists of the Australia Awami League and its affiliated organisations attended the event.