GAZIPUR, Oct 16, 2024 (BSS) – Saiful Hasan, 52, could not keep his last words to his wife as he was killed after being shot by police on August 5 during the student-led mass uprising.
 
Although victory was achieved through the July-August uprising, Saiful, like many others, could not return to his family members, as he embraced martyrdom while taking part in the movement.  

Talking to BSS, Saiful’s wife Runa Parvin said his last words were, “I will return home only after the fall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina. Don’t worry about me.”

Saiful last talked to his wife on August 2 over phone as he left his house in the morning (on that day) to take part in the movement. Later, he stayed back at his friend’s house in Kuril, Badda in the capital.  
 
Saiful was confident that with the participation of students and mass people, they will achieve victory in the movement. That is why he actively participated in the movement, Runa said.
 
A resident of Demra in Narayanganj, Saiful worked for a private company named ‘Badhon Hijra Sangstha’ (BHS) as project coordinator. However, he lived in the DIT residential area of Tongi, Gazipur, as per his job requirement. He was the second child of his parents among seven siblings.
 
According to eyewitnesses, Saiful’s wife Runa said, “On the morning of August 5, Saiful along with other protesters were taking part in a procession. At one point the procession moved towards Jamuna Future Park in Bashundhara area, as it (procession) reached the area police opened fire on them indiscriminately.

 A bullet pierced through Saiful’s head, and he fell on the ground immediately. Protesting students who were taking part in the movement, rushed him to Kurmitola General Hospital, where the duty-doctors declared him dead.   
 
Runa said, “A fellow student taking part in the movement informed me over mobile phone that Saiful was severely injured after being shot by police and asked me to go to Kurmitola General Hospital. I rushed to the hospital right away and found his lifeless body lying at the hospital morgue”.
 
“While I cried my heart out no one was there to console me. I got hold of my emotions and contacted the hospital authority to take his dead body home for burial,” Runa said.
 
Following a namaz-e-janaza at Tongi, he was buried beside his father’s grave at Konabari area of Demra, Narayanganj.
 
Saiful has two children. His elder son Md Reoshan Rafi, 19, is a second-year student of Tongi Government College. While his younger son Md Ridwan Al Raiyan, 14, is a Hafez in Quran. He is currently studying in class 8 at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasah.
 
Saiful’s wife Runa said Saiful dreamt of providing higher education to his children and building them as worthy citizens of the country.

He wished to admit his younger son in Madina University. In an emotion-choked voice, she told this correspondent, “Now all our dreams have fallen apart. I never thought this nightmare would come in my life. I don’t know how we will lead our life and fulfill his wishes.”
 
Saiful’s centenarian mother, Hayatunnesa burst into tears when asked about her son. She used to live with her son. Saiful was very dear to his mother and cared a lot for her. Hearing the death news of her son, she has fallen ill.
 
Saiful’s colleague Sabbir Hossain Kaderi, working in the same organization as Finance and Admin officer, told this correspondent that Saiful was an honest and brave man. He used to maintain good relationship with all his colleagues. They were deeply saddened by his untimely death.
 
Saiful’s family said the Jamaat-e-Islami has provided a financial aid of Taka 1 lakh to support the family.