TANGAIL, October 20, 2024 (BSS) –  Maruf Mia,  10th grader, aged 16, had a dream to bring financial solvency though getting a job but his dream ended forever when he embraced martyrdom  on August 5.   

He was gunned down by police in Tangail on August 5 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.

Maruf wanted to become an army officer to bring solvency to his family. Maruf used to tell his mother, “You will have no tension when I get a job after completing my education.”

But Maruf could not materialize his dream as he scarified his life 5, putting his family in severe shock and sorrow.

Maruf Mia, son of Mojnu Mia and Morsheda Akter, residents of the Sabalia area in Tangail municipality, was a student of class X at Shahin School of the district.
Marfu was the elder of two siblings and his sister, Sanjida Akter, is a sixth-grade student.  

While this correspondent visited the house of Maruf found that his grief-stricken mother, Morsheda, was sitting with her son’s school bag, clothes, shoes and family photos as she wanted to feel the presence of Maruf with those stuffs.
 
Monju Mia went to Saudi Arabia a few months ago for a better livelihood, but he could not return to the country even after the death of his beloved son.

Although two months have passed since the death of Maruf, his mother is still crying, recalling her beloved son.

Morsheda, in an emotion-chocked voice, said, “Maruf had lunch on the day of August 5. As soon as he finished lunch, he went out of the house to take part in the victory procession with his friends.”

“When Maruf along with other protesters reached near Tangail Sadar Model police station, police opened fire on them. . . . A bullet hit Maruf’s head. Then, my son fell on the ground,” Morsheda went on saying, as well as crying.

 “His friends took him to Tangail Sheikh Hasina Medical College and Hospital, where on duty doctor declared him dead,” she added.

Morsheda said one person phoned him in the evening and told that Maruf was shot dead.

Maruf was buried at their native Joshihati village under Basail upazila in Tangail district after a namaz-e-janaja the next day.

Morsheda said, “I am requesting the government to arrange a job for my husband, so that he can maintain our family after returning to the country.”
She also demanded to name a road stretching from Kumudini Collge Gate to the rail station after Shahhed Maruf road.

Sanjida Akter, younger sisiter of Maruf said, “My brother loved me so much…I could not imagine that he would leave us and not come back to us.”
“I want punishment for those who snatched my brother from us,” she said.
 
Jahangir Alam, a neighbor of Maruf, said, “Maruf was engaged with the movement since its beginning…. He used to write graffiti on walls… Maruf was a good student.”

Al-Amin, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, “A total of nine people were killed and over 50 were injured during the student-led uprising.”

Of the injured, 17 people are now undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Dhaka.

“Maruf was killed in front of Tangail Sadar Model police station . .  . . He played a significant role in the movement.”

“I will always remain stand by the families of those who were killed and injured during the uprising,” he added.  

Representatives from district administration, police and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have already met the family of Maruf.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam provided Taka 2 lakh to the family of Maruf.

Deputy Commissioner of Tangail Sharifa Haque said, “Maruf’s death is pathetic…the district administration contacted the family of him and provided support to them.”

The government has a plan to provide Taka 5 lakh to every martyred family, she said the district administration would keep vigilance so that Maruf’s family is not deprived of government assistance.
 
Maruf’s mother filed a case with Tangail Sadar Model Police Station against 56 people, including former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque.