Ashulia:A police van involved in the burning of six individuals during the July Mass Uprising has been recovered in Ashulia, over two years after it disappeared.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the vehicle was found during a land eviction operation led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mohibullah Akon in the Baipail Trimohoni area under Ashulia Revenue Circle. The van was discovered while workers cleared a temporary police dumping ground and has since been relocated to a government dumping station in Kabirpur.
As the news spread, local residents and "July fighters" from the anti-discrimination movement gathered at the location, calling for the vehicle to be preserved at the July Memory Museum. They see it as a significant historical artifact representing the victims' sacrifices and highlighting police misconduct.
Officials including Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam and Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Torikul Islam have confirmed that higher authorities have been informed. The July Memory Museum has shown interest in acquiring the van for preservation.
Shahidul, the Officer-in-Charge of the Dhaka District Reserve Force, stated that transferring the vehicle to the museum will necessitate an order from the Ministry of Law, approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and court directives.
The incident on August 5, 2024, involved police shooting five people dead and injuring another critically in front of Ashulia Police Station. The six victims were loaded into a van, which was then set on fire, leading to widespread national outrage.