BHOLA, Sept 30, 2024 (BSS) - Shahabuddin, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver, went out of his house to buy foods for his daughter in the evening of August 5, was fatally shot by police when thousands of people poured out on the streets of Dhaka city following downfall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.
 
At that time, people from all strata were joining the victory procession following the collapse of fascist Awami League government and fleeing of autocratic Sheikh Hasina in face of the anti-discrimination student-people uprising.
 
At one stage, police opened indiscriminate fire at the people participating in the procession at the intersection in front of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station. Unfortunately, Shahabuddin got stuck in the firing at the intersection and received a bullet injury on his head around 7pm and fell to the ground there.
 
People rescued him from the spot and rushed him to National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital where on-duty doctors declared him dead.
 
Shaheed Shahabuddin was the elder son of Abul Kalam and Manwara Begum of Sadar upazila's Char Samaiya Union. He was living in a joint family with his parent, wife, two daughters and a sister at house in Anis' slum adjacent to the intersection in front of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station.
 
His father contributed to his family by running a makeshift restaurant in the slum area. His family was running in a sound manner with the income of his own profession and father's contribution. But his family now is facing economic hardship following his sudden death.
 
Shahabuddin's family members came to his village home here for a family reason a few days ago.
 
Talking to BSS, his wife Bibi Halima said, "Tense situation was prevailing in the capital since the morning of August 5. My husband left the house in the morning to run CNG. But due to the tense situation, the CNG owner prohibited him going out with the auto-rickshaw."
 
He was at home all day, she said, adding, but when police started indiscriminate firing in the early evening, Shahabuddin went to his father's restaurant and shuttered. After closing the restaurant, he returned to house.
 
When Shahabuddin came home, Halima said, their younger daughter Sanjida, 7, wanted to eat chips while Shahabudding immediately went out to buy chips.
 
"Shahabuddin was shot in his head and embraced martyrdom," he added.
 
Halima along with her two daughters- a seventh grade student Lamiya, 14, and Sanjida, 7, is now spending her days in financial trouble. She is currently staying with her father-in-law Abul Kalam.

As Kalam's income is very low from his small and makeshift restaurant and the financial crisis gripped their family, Halima sought government assistance to help run her family as well as continue the study of her daughters.
 
Abul Kalam said they brought the body of Shahabuddin to village home on the same night of August 5 and buried him in the village graveyard around 10am next day after his namaz-e-janaza.
 
Kalam migrated to the capital Dhaka many years back due to economic hurdles. He once pulled a rickshaw. Now, he is running a small makeshift restaurant there.
 
"My son was our resort to hope and dependence. I want the state recognition of my son's martyrdom," said Kalam.
 
Shahabuddin was the eldest among his eight siblings- three brothers and five sisters.

 
His mother Manwara Begum said her two other sons live in separate families, but Shahabuddin was living with them and looked after his parents.
 
She cannot accept the immature and unexpected death of his son.
 
"We are now very worried about our future. We don't know how we will pass the days coming ahead as my husband becomes very much older," said Manwara in a heavy voice.

Shahabuddin's daughter Lamiya said her father had a dream centering her.
 
"My father wanted to make me a doctor. But his dream didn't get come true. It is now difficult for me to continue my study," she said in an emotion chocked voice.