Md. Tarikul Islam Tarik, joint general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, recounts his experience of the August 5, 2024 march toward Shahbagh in Dhaka. He wrote that he tried to reach the Shaheed Minar around 8:30 a.m., when the area was effectively blocked and security forces were using sound grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and pellet shots to disperse protesters. He said an attempt was made to detain him near TSC before members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association helped him move toward Palashi Bazar.

At Palashi, Tarik said students and local traders began gathering in small groups before deciding to head to Shahbagh. The group offered voluntary prayers on the road. He recalled that an army patrol advised them to wait until 2:30, but they proceeded despite Section 144 restrictions. Near the Raju Sculpture, he said several teachers led by Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam were present in support of the movement.

A further army patrol near Charukola and the Central Library dispersed much of the march, he wrote, leaving eight to 10 people to continue. According to his account, they reached Shahbagh and took position at about 11:30 a.m., after which crowds rapidly gathered. He described the events as a collective effort involving students, traders, teachers, journalists and other people.