SUNAMGANJ, Nov 13, 2024 (BSS) - How Md Abul Kalam will overcome the intolerable pain and grief over losing one son and another son being crippled?

Abul Kalam's elder son Sohag Mia, 23, was killed while younger son, 22, was critically injured while taking part in a joyous procession following downfall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.

Sohag Mia was laid to eternal rest adjacent to a ditch at his ancestral home. A national flag has been kept on his grave which is flying high. Md Abul Kalam, father of Sohag, is offering doa seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of his beloved son.

The BSS correspondent witnessed such a scene when he visited the native home of martyred Sohag Mia located at Gulamipur village under Bhimkhali union in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj district.

Kalam has no other option, but to shed tears incessantly for his two sons as one of them was shot dead by police while another became crippled while taking part in the anti-discrimination student movement.

Sohag was killed during the anti-discrimination student movement on August 5.

Like many people of the country Sohag Mia, 23, and his sibling Shuvo Mia, 23, went out of house to take part in the victory procession in capital city of Dhaka after Sheikh Hasina was ousted following her 15-year rule.

When the two siblings along with other protesters reached near Badda police station, police opened fire on the protestors, leaving Sohag dead on the spot.

Sohag was buried at their native graveyard after a namaj-e-janaza at the Helipad ground in the district town.

People from all walks of life including students, representatives from BNP and its front organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and Jamiat-e-Ulama took part in the janaza.

Sohag Mia, son of day labourer Abul Kalam and Rokeya Begum, was born on December 07, 2001. He could not continue his study after fifth grade due to financial crisis. Sohag was the second among the six children of Kalam and Rokeya couple.

Sohag Mia's sibling Shuvo Mia has become crippled as he received bullet injuries on the day while taking part in the agitation with his brother Sohag.

Shuvo said, "I also took part in the procession. When we reached near Badda police station, police opened fire on us. We received bullet injuries....Sohag died on the spot."

"Later, I was taken to hospital. But I could not stay in the hospital as I could not afford the treatment cost...I still have two bullets in my body," he added.

Shuvo is now passing an uncertain life as he cannot continue his treatment due to lack of money.

Billal Mia, elder brother of Sohag, said, "We sold our land, cattle and took loan for sending Sohag abroad. We gave Tk 5 lakh to an agent, but they did not send him abroad or even gave back the money to us."

"Later, I along with my four brothers left the house and started working in Dhaka city," he continued.

Rokeya Begum recalling her son Sohag said, "When I became upset, he used to hug me. He always tried to make me cheerful . . . But he is no more today."

She demanded exemplary punishment of the killers of Sohag.

Sohag's father Abul Kalam Azad said, "I cannot work due to heart disease. I depend on my sons to run my family."

"After the death of Sohag, all of sons came to house and they are still living here...I am trying to run my family taking loans," he added.

Abul Kalam's family is now living in a dilapidated house situated on one decimal of land.
 
Touhid Chowdhury Prodip, president of Jamalganj Press Club, said: "Among the five sons, two sons of Abul Kalam took part in the anti-discrimination student movement. Of them, one has already died while another is living an inhumane live as he cannot afford his treatment cost."

He urged the government to stand beside the family by giving financial support.

"The government should come forward so that the family can build a house for them and live a decent life," he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami extended help to the family and provided the family financial assistance.
 
Apart from these, local leaders and activists of the party met the family members of Sohag to convey their sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Terming the martyrs of the anti-discrimination student movement as valiant fighters, leaders and activists of the party said the fascist government fell through the upsurge of student-led movement.

They also handed over Tk 2 lakh to the family of the martyr.