On the morning of July 27, 2024, Sheikh Hasina stood silently at the podium of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as Pongu Hospital, in Dhaka.

For nearly 14 seconds during her eight-minute emotional speech, the former prime minister remained silent. A visible pain marked her face, reflecting the weight of the bloodshed that had occurred since July 16, when police forces fatally shot Abu Sayed in Rangpur with lethal weapons. That day, five more lives were lost amidst violence in Dhaka and Chattogram.

By the time Hasina addressed the crowd at NITOR, the death toll across the last two weeks had reached at least 162, many of whom had been shot with military-grade weapons by state security forces, according to The Daily Star’s investigations.

“I seek justice from my fellow citizens. What crimes have I committed to deserve this?” 77-year-old Hasina asked after visiting some of the injured at the hospital.

“I don’t want any mothers to lose their children like this. I’ve lost my parents; I know the pain… So many lives have been lost, so many families shattered. Who is responsible for all this?…” she began, but then, overcome with emotion, she left the stage in tears, unable to finish her words.

This heartfelt public address sharply contrasts with what was happening behind the scenes. An investigation by The Daily Star reveals that a state-sponsored machinery for mass violence had already been put into motion.

Just nine days earlier, on the evening of July 18, 2024, a phone rang inside the ousted prime minister’s residence, Gonobhaban, and Sheikh Hasina answered. On the line was Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, then the mayor of Dhaka South City. What followed was a startling disclosure of a lethal plan.

“We are now doing things differently. We are capturing photos with drones, and sending helicopters to several places,” Hasina told Taposh.

“Wherever they [the state forces] see gatherings, from the sky… I am getting it done from above, already started in several areas… already underway,” she said, while Taposh repeatedly pressed for launching a large-scale arrest campaign.

A Dhaka court today ordered the imprisonment of former law minister Anisul Huq and former adviser to Sheikh Hasina, Salman F Rahman, in connection with the murder of Sajedur Rahman Omar during the July mass uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mehedi Hasan issued the arrest order after police produced them before the court following their two-day remand in the case. The court was requested to keep them in custody until the investigation is complete.

Previously, on July 23, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam had granted a two-day remand for both Anisul and Salman in connection with the case.

According to case documents, Sajedur Rahman Omar participated in a rally against discrimination near Kajla Bridge in Jatrabari on July 21 of last year. He was shot in the head during the event and succumbed to his injuries the following day.

A case was filed at Jatrabari Police Station on January 3 this year, naming 79 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.

Anisul Huq and Salman F Rahman were arrested in the Sadarghat area of the capital on August 13, 2024, as they attempted to flee via waterways.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief coordinator for the southern region of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has called for the resignation of Health Adviser Noorjahan Begum, accusing her of nepotism linked to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking at a rally in Chandpur town on Wednesday, July 23, Hasnat characterized the Health Adviser as a prime example of favoritism within the interim government. He demanded that she return her salary and government benefits and step down immediately, asserting that she lacks the necessary qualifications and effectiveness for her position.

Addressing recent aviation and infrastructure accidents, Hasnat emphasized, “We do not want a Bangladesh where planes crash and buildings collapse.”

He also expressed concerns regarding the safety of military personnel, urging thorough inspections of military equipment. “Our brothers in the Air Force must be protected. It is time to verify if the equipment they use is safe,” he stated.

Further criticizing the Health Adviser, Hasnat questioned her competence and alleged her appointment was solely due to her connections with Dr. Yunus through Grameen Bank.

“She has no understanding of healthcare or medical services. Her only qualification is her association with Yunus. Her salary and vehicle—funded by taxpayers—are a betrayal to the public,” he concluded.