DHAKA, Oct 17, 2024 (BSS) - Omar Bin Nurul Abshar, a brilliant student of Bangladesh Airlines Training Centre (BATC), who completed 12 of the 13 modules of the three-year course, got an opportunity to work in US-Bangla Airlines.
 
But the dream of the 24-year-old youth to become an aeronautical engineer was shattered as he sustained bullet injury while he was on his way back home from a victory procession of the anti-discrimination student movement on August 5.
 
Omar, son of Md Nurul Absar (55) and Ruby Akter (44) of Boalkhali Upazila under Chattogram district, had a dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer and upholding the country’s image before the world through innovation.
 
Omar's parents also helped their son to walk in the path of fulfilling his dream. However, his dream remained elusive, despite going a long way.
 
According to Omar's family sources, Omar, the third of his six siblings, was active in the anti-discrimination student movement from the beginning.
 
He joined the movement everyday with his friends. On July 18, he was injured by police tear gas and rubber bullets and was admitted to the hospital.
 
But before his bullet wounds healed, he went to the streets to join the movement all over again. His sacrifice was successful. He also organized a victory procession with his friends after the fall of the dictator government.
 
But the killer bullet robbed him of that joy forever. After the fall of the autocratic government on August 5, Omar was shot dead by police while he was returning home after joining a victory procession in the city's Uttara area.
 
Omar used to live with his friends in a rented house in Uttara Sector 14/18 road. Residing there he continued his studies in BATC.
 
Talking to BSS, Omar's grieving mother Ruby Akter said, “I could not accept the news of my son's death. I kept telling myself that the news was false. But when I saw his dead body everything turned upside down. As if the sky fell on my head. I accepted the worst reality of my life thinking about Allah. I had many dreams centering my son. Everything is over now.”
 
She said, “Omar's father Nurul Absar has returned home from Saudi Arabia after receiving the news of his son's death. He is stunned by the loss of his son. He is unable to remain stable.”
 
She also said, “Omar's father spent most of his life abroad. He spent sleepless nights without food and worked to provide unwavering support and love to his children. But the killer bullet shattered our dreams. My son was the asset of this country. I want justice for those who destroyed this asset forever. I want to see their trial in my lifetime.”
 
Narrating the events of that day, Omar's cousin Engineer Abu Bakkar Rahat said Omar was gunned down in the Uttara police station area around 4:30pm, while he was on his way back home after attending the procession. His body was taken to home at 4am on Tuesday, he added.
 
Omar's younger brother Ammar bin Nurul Absar (19) said, "My brother has not done anything wrong. Why did the police shoot him? I want justice for this murder. My father provided all sorts of support from Saudi Arabia for our studies. My brother also worked hard to protect our father's dignity. He succeeded. But that hope of success faded away within a few seconds.”
 
Omar's classmate Ruhul Amin said, “He was a very bright student. He also had a very good relationship with his friends. Whenever, he came across a new subject, he would become master on it. He had great passion for innovating new things. We cannot accept him leaving us like this. May Allah grant him Jannatul Ferdous.”
 
According to family sources, Omar's elder brother Nurul Hasnat Rifat (26) is physically challenged. Ammar bin Nurul Abshar (19) is a second-year Alim student at Baitush Sharaf Madrasa in Chattogram city and Mohammad Bin Nurul Abshar (17) is a first-year Alim student at the same madrasa. The youngest Ahmed bin Nurul Abshar (14) is a class eight student at CDA Public School of the same city.
 
Jannatul Hurain (28) is the eldest sister. She got married long ago. Martyr Omar's father Md Nurul Absar is the only bread earner in the family. If Omar could complete his studies, he would have been a breadwinner of his family. But his premature death has left the family stare at a bleak future.
 
Omar’s family said Jamaat-e-Islami has provided financial assistance of Taka one lakh to support the family.