Former Home Minister used to call DB Harun a 'jinn': Former IGP's statement

Former IGP (Inspector General of Police) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has given an explosive statement in an International Crimes Tribunal case, where he revealed sensational information about the suppression of the political movement that took place in July 2023.

In the five-page statement given to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka on March 24, he mentioned that the then DB (Detective Police) chief Harun Or Rashid had a close relationship with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. In the minister's words, Harun was a "jinn"—meaning a supernaturally skilled, active and hardworking person.

According to information received from court sources on Tuesday (July 29), Mamun said in his statement, "The Home Minister saw Harun as a very active person and an effective person in implementing the government's political decisions."

Plans to suppress the movement were made in night meetings
In the deposition, Mamun further said, “From July 19, 2023, meetings were held at the Home Minister’s Dhanmondi residence almost every night during the movement. DB Harun, SB chief Monirul Islam, RAB Director General, Ansar Bahini DG, NTMC officer Ziaul Ahsan and several other high-ranking officials were present in those meetings. Plans to suppress the movement were made there every day.”

Prime Minister’s order to use lethal weapons: deposition
The IGP’s deposition said, “Choppers were fired on a political decision to suppress the movement. The Home Minister himself informed me of the Prime Minister’s instructions to use lethal weapons.”

He also said, “The helicopter was deployed on the plan of the then Director General of RAB, Harun Or Rashid. Along with this, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman and former Minister Obaidul Quader were also very enthusiastic.”

Intimidation and ‘psychological torture’ plan were also mentioned
Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said in his statement that it was decided in a core committee meeting to arrest six main coordinators of the movement and make them give statements to the media through intimidation, mental pressure and torture, so that they withdraw from the movement.

Repentant Mamun, denies responsibility
In the last part of the statement, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun expressed regret for the shooting and repression and apologized to the court. However, he did not clearly mention anything about his role or direct involvement in the statement.

It is worth noting that Mamun has now been removed from the list of accused and has confessed to the court as a "royal witness". The International Crimes Tribunal has granted his application, on the condition that he reveal the whole truth.

After the release of this statement, there has been widespread discussion and criticism in political and administrative circles. Allegations of the use of security forces for political purposes and the use of excessive force to implement government decisions have come to the fore again.