TDS Desk:

The Bangladesh Police have come under fire after announcing the launch of a website aimed at collecting evidence of violent incidents, including attacks, killings, and shootings, that took place during the student-people July 2024 mass uprising.

The initiative, which calls for the upload of still images and footage captured by personal mobile phones or cameras between 1 July and 5 August 2024, was met with widespread criticism on social media.

The official website, “Andoloner Chobi” (andolonerchobi.police.gov.bd), was set up to gather crucial digital proof of the events that unfolded during the protests, as per the Bangladesh Police’s Facebook post on Sunday (February 9).

However, the announcement sparked outrage, with netizens questioning the timing and intent behind the police’s call for submissions.

Several comments pointed out the delayed response in addressing the violence, with one Facebook user saying, “After seven or eight months, now you all stand for justice, whereas this should have been done within a month of the killings.”

Another commented, “I will never forget the strikes from the police’s batons. I will always remember those moments of brutality during the days of internet blackout.”

In the announcement, the Bangladesh Police emphasised that uploads would be limited to one still image or video per hour, and up to five uploads per day per mobile number. Before any file can be uploaded, the uploader will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on their phone for verification.

The uploaded content can be accessed by logging in with the corresponding mobile number.

The website will be open for submissions from 11-25 February as part of an effort to collect and document evidence of the incidents that transpired during the protests.