HABIGANJ, Sept 6, 2024 (BSS) - Ashraful was born in a poor family. When his peers were studying with the dream of becoming dignified people in society, Ashraful began struggle with hammer and chisel during his tender age due to hardship in the family due to his father's second marriage. At the age of 13, he started working as a carpenter. He shouldered the responsibility of running his family. Ashraful had responsibilities to bear all the education, medical and household expenses of his four siblings.

 
Amid this struggle, Ashraful came to know about the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement from neighbouring people and watching television news. He knew that students were sacrificing their lives on the streets with the demand for the elimination of discrimination. Ashraful was also awakened by the spirit of the movement. Ashraful joined the procession of anti-discrimination students along with friends from his workplace, leaving his hammer and chisel. A friend named Arif requested him to return from the procession. But Ashraful did not listen to him. At one stage, Ashraful was shot dead by police. A shroud of grief came to his poor family. However, now the grief-stricken family has taken a new vow to fulfill Ashraful's dream by turning sorrow into strength.
 
Ashraful, 17, was the son of Abdur Rauf and Mahmuda Begum of Jatukarnapara Dugihati under Baniachong upazila in Habiganj district. He worked in a furniture shop in Ganning Ganj Bazar in Baniachong on a monthly salary of Tk 12,000. Ashraful was fourth among four sisters and two brothers. His elder sister Lubna Akhtar is married. The next one, Rozma Akhtar, is studying at Saistaganj Degree College and the third sister, Taima Akhtar, is studying honours at Brindaban Government College in Habiganj town. Ashraful's younger sister, Taiyaba Akhtar, is studying in Class X and the youngest, Abdur Raqibt, is studying in class VIII. All their education, treatment and household expenses were met with Ashraful's earnings.
 
Ashraful's mother, Mahmuda Begum, said Ashraful used to go to work every morning and return home at night. On August 5, he went out as usual and later, he joined the anti-discrimination student-people's march with his friends from his workplace, she said. "He was later shot dead," she added.

As her husband married for the second time, it was not possible for him to meet all the expenses, Mahmuda Begum said.

That is why Ashraful, at his immature age, used to meet the expanses of his five brothers and sisters through hard labour, she said.
After the death of Ashraful, the studies of his five brothers and sisters had become uncertain, she said.

Mahmuda Begum demanded justice for her son's murder and the martyr status of her son.

"My neighbors ask me, why did I send my son to the procession? I told them that my son had been martyred," she said.

"While going on the procession, Ashraful had said he would return home bringing firewood and stinging catfish (shing fish) for her. Later, I got news that my son had been shot dead," she said.

Ashraful's younger sister, Taiyaba Akhtar, said her brother was like a shadow above their heads.

"We want justice for his murder," she said.

 Baniachong Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator DH Raju said "Ashraful's family is very poor. As he was martyred, the entire family has now fallen into deep crisis."

He requested the government and the affluent people of society to stand by them.

On August 5 at 11 am, the leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement took out a procession from Eidgah ground of Sagardighi's west bank. After marching through Ganninganj Bazar area, four to five thousand people gathered at Barabazar Shaheed Minar. Later, when the agitators went in front of the police station with a procession, they were locked in argument with the police. The protesters started pelting brickbats at the police. Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas shells, and sound grenades during the incident. Seven people, including four, were killed on the spot by police firing.
 
Later, a journalist and SI of Baniachong police station, Santosh, died in this movement. Another person succumbed to his bullet injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital the next day.