July Jolt: Prosthetic Hand Shattered in Clash

The artificial hand of Atikul Islam, injured during the July-August uprising, was reportedly destroyed on Friday afternoon during a clash with law enforcement near Manik Mia Avenue, in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as July activists staged a protest.

The image of the detached prosthetic hand quickly circulated on social media, sparking widespread criticism among netizens.

The incident occurred during a confrontation over the July Charter signing ceremony, when police resorted to baton charges, causing Atikul’s artificial hand to break and detach.

Eyewitnesses expressed their dismay, stating that Atikul was seen injured and lying on the road during the clash. “I joined the movement to remove Sheikh Hasina and got injured. They had to amputate my hand. Later, a prosthetic hand was fitted, but during the clash, it was torn off by the police’s baton charge. Some people later came to rescue me,” Atikul recounted.

Speaking about the protest, Atikul said, “I sacrificed my hand to overthrow the tyrant Hasina. At that time, everything around me, including my entire body, was drenched in blood. We bid farewell to Sheikh Hasina with our blood and installed a new government. Yet, that government has now attacked me. This time, the prosthetic hand attached to me was torn off. We wanted the July Charter to reflect everyone’s opinion, but the current government did not. Instead, they are implementing the July Charter over our blood.”

Another July activist, Sabuj Mia, added, “We came today to witness the July Charter signing but ended up being attacked. We fought to remove Sheikh Hasina and many of us became martyrs. Some even lost limbs. Yet this government is proceeding with the July Charter without us.”

Meanwhile, July activists wounded during the uprising staged a sit-in at the south plaza of the National Parliament, demanding state recognition for the student-people injured during the July uprising, as well as official recognition as July martyrs, among three other demands. They announced they would not leave the area until their demands were met.

At around 1:25 pm, during the clash with police, scattered July activists broke through Gate 12 of the Parliament building, vandalized several trucks and buses, and set fire to road blockers used as barricades by the police.