Student Azharul Islam Piyas has described his experience of joining the July 18 “Complete Shutdown” programme against quota discrimination at the BNS Centre in Uttara. He wrote that students were holding a peaceful position near Rajuk Uttara Model College when police began firing rubber bullets and tear gas. Piyas said he witnessed numerous students being shot during the confrontation.

According to his account, Tamirul Millat Central Students’ Union vice-president M M Al Minhaj was shot in the eye and later returned to the protesters after receiving initial treatment. Piyas said he burned his hand after picking up and throwing back a tear-gas canister, and was hit in the back by a rubber bullet later in the day. He also saw his classmate Nahid with rubber-bullet injuries across his back.

Piyas wrote that he returned to campus while avoiding people he described as Chhatra League cadres who were beating suspected protesters toward Tongi. He then learned of the death of former Millat student Shakil Parvez and left the hall after an emergency administrative order. He said Uttara residents provided water, food, saline and other assistance to students.