Those involved in piling bodies on van in Ashulia identified: Police

The police officers who were seen present and involved in piling up dead bodies on a van in Ashulia have been identified, police said.

“We are not disclosing names to allow for further steps. But it will be revealed to you very soon,” Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Ahmad Muyeed told the media after visiting Ashulia Police Station on Sunday (1 September).

Besides, a four-member investigation committee comprising Additional SP and DB officials have been formed to investigate the incident of the video which went viral on social media, he added.

Police are handling the matter with utmost seriousness, Ahmad Muyeed said after inspecting the police station. 

“The committee is working diligently on the investigation,” he added.

However, the officer said no specific deadline has been given for the submission of the investigation report.

In response to the question whether a case will be filed against the police involved, he said that a case will be filed in the name of whoever is the culprit. “The police are not above the law.”

He further said that not only the students, but also many policemen were burnt to death. 

There will also be a police murder case, he said.

“There are specific directives from the chief adviser to deal with crimes against humanity with utmost importance,” he further stated.

On Thursday night, a 1-minute and 14-second video went viral on social media, showing two policemen grabbing the arms and legs of a dead body and throwing it onto a van already stacked with bodies.

Subsequently it was geolocated by factchecker for AFP’s Bangladesh office, Qadaruddin Shishir, and pinpointed to a spot near Ashulia Police Station, raising a tremendous hue and cry on social media, where some of the officers involved were also identified as attached to Ashulia police station.