PIRGANJ, Rangpur, Aug 24, 2024 (BSS) - Mokhbul Hossain in an illusion looks

for his son Abu Sayeed killed in police firing during the student-mass
upsurge as thousands of people irrespective of party affiliations,
professions, castes and creeds regularly visit the grave of the slain student
of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur (BRUR) to pay respect to him and pray
for eternal peace of his departed soul.
 
Distressed engulfed Hossain as his son's death made him so shocked, reluctant
and speechless forcing him merely to wait beside Sayeed's grave.

Sayeed's father hardly stare from his son's grave until prayers call is
announced as he goes to mosques five times to offer prayers and make dua for
his revolutionary son who didn't bow down head to injustice, putting his
chest to embrace bullets stretching his two hands with just carrying a stick
in one hand, showing no apparent threat to anyone.

While talking to BSS, Hossain attributed his son's death to targeted killing
as he claimed that Sayeed was aimed due to his interview with media.

He said, "Sayeed dreamt of to be an officer. He got scholarship since class
five. He was very meritorious. He ranks second in the Rokeya University in
the admission test".

Mother Monowara Begum burst into tears while talking about Sayeed. She said,
"I still think my son didn't die. I always think my son is in dormitory or in
college. He will come home anytime and will call me 'ma'".

She remembered her son's gift for all family members which he bought with the
tuition money earned during the last Eid. Begum said, "Sayeed was having a
brick house built for us thinking that we were uncomfortable in the mud
house. I see Sayeed's memory wherever I look at in the house".

Sayeed's younger sister Sumi Khatun said her brother wanted to be "a big
officer". "Sayeed would say he will wipe away all sorrows of us. My brother
would think about all of us. Today, many distinguished people come to my
brother's grave to offer prayer. We have pain but we are proud of my
brother".

She demanded the authorities to build and name a hall after her brother in
every university, a separate university in Pirganj and a hospital that will
provide treatment free of cost.

Sayeed was born in a poor family in Babonpur village of Pirganj. Among nine
siblings, he was only pursuing studies. He was a student of 12th batch of
English department at BRUR.
 
Relatives and neighbours helped him continue study at SSC and HSC level.
Sayeed's parents had thousands dream that one day their son will fill the
family with joys after finishing his education. But, their entire dream has
shattered.

Sayeed was among six who were killed in police firing across the country
during movement centering quota system in the government job on July 16.
 
Their deaths fueled the movement unleashing deadly clash with the law
enforcers like police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action
Battalion (RAB) turning it into mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina-led
government which became a tyrant for last 15 years destroying all democratic
systems such as right to franchise, freedom of expression etc.

At least 757 persons were so far reportedly killed in shootings and deadly
clashes centering the anti-discrimination student movement across the
country.

Classmates Arman Haque and Liakat Ali said gentle and delicate Sayeed was
very adorable to teachers and classmates. They said, "Sayeed had a good
relation with all of every department. He was not connected to any politics
directly. He use to study for jobs from the first year".

BRUR English depart head and Associate Professor Asif Al Matin said, "All are
students, but there are some graceful students whom we can't forget. Sayeed
was among them".

While offering prayer at Sayeed's grave on August 14, BNP Secretary General
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir mentioned that Sayeed placed the soil of Pirganj
in the history as he launched a new Bangladesh history by shedding blood.

Alamgir called it as the history of sacrifice of youths, new history of
liberation war and a history of emancipating Bangladeshi people.

Earlier, on August 10, Chief Adviser to the Interim Government Nobel Laureate
Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus went to Pirganj to pay respect to the memory of
Abu Sayeed. He offered prayers at Sayeed's grave and said, "Abu Sayeed is not
for only one family, he is the child of all families in Bangladesh".

The chief adviser mentioned that the young folks who are studying will
remember Abu Sayeed and will pledge to be like him. "They will say-I will
also fight for the justice like Abu Sayeed," he added.