July 11 Marked as First Resistance Day of 2024 Uprising

LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain ‍spoke at a memorial meeting organized at Cumilla University today.

LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has declared 11 July as the First Resistance Day of the 2024 mass uprising.

He made the announcement on Thursday while addressing a memorial event at Cumilla University, marking the anniversary of a police attack on students during last year's movement.

“The first blood of the 2024 mass uprising was shed at Cumilla University on July 11, when the police under the then fascist regime launched a brutal and unprovoked assault on students,” he said.

“In response, the students organised fierce resistance and blockaded the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway until 11 pm that night. It played a vital role in fuelling the nationwide movement that followed.”

Asif expressed hope that, like in July, students of Cumilla University would continue to stand for truth and justice. Responding to student demands, he also announced the donation of three buses for the university.

The memorial event was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Haidar Ali. Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Masuda Kamal was present as a special guest, alongside Treasurer Professor Dr Mohammad Solaiman, Proctor Professor Dr Abdul Hakim, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Amirul Kaisar, and Superintendent of Police Najir Ahmed Khan.

Recalling the events of the 2024 mass uprising, Asif noted that the first police assault during the "Bangla Blockade" programme took place at Cumilla University on July 11. Around 20 students were injured as police opened fire, lobbed tear gas shells, and carried out baton charges on demonstrators.

News of the police violence spread rapidly, sparking outrage among students nationwide. Protests erupted across the country, including in Dhaka, where demonstrators condemned the brutality.

In Cumilla, students from all residential halls took to the streets and blockaded the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway. The highway remained at a standstill for nearly eight hours, marking a pivotal moment in the resistance movement.