By Syed Altefat Hossain

DHAKA, Nov 29, 2024 (BSS) - Sultana Razia has become bewildered after losing her rickshaw puller husband Md Josim (35) in the student-people uprising that compelled Sheikh Hasina to resign from the post of prime minister on August 5, ending her about 16-year fascist regime.

Josim, a permanent resident of Gualbari Mor in the Dania area of Jatrabari in the city, was shot dead on July 21 when the anti-discrimination student movement turned into the student-led uprising with the participation of people from all strata.

Razia said her husband went to a mosque at Gualbari intersection around 6.40pm to offer Maghrib prayer.

"But witnessing the terrible situation triggered by the student movement on the street, my husband was returning home instead of entering the mosque. However, on his way home, a bullet hit his back," Razia burst into tears while sharing the memory of her husband's martyrdom.

In a picture, it was shown that the bullet penetrated his back and came out through the chest while his chest was bloodstained with huge bleeding.

Sobbing Razia said around 7.10pm someone called her and said her husband sustained a bullet injury.

"Hearing the news, I was stunned and immediately went out of the house in search of him, I saw my husband lying on the street in front of our house as people took him there," she said, adding, with the help of other people she took her husband to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the duty doctor declared him dead.

"Later, we brought the body from the hospital without completing hospital process and buried him at Dania Graveyard that night," sobbing Razia said, adding, they could not complete the medical procedure as a turmoil situation was prevailing across the country.

Referring to eyewitnesses, she said about 40 people, including 'Helmet Bahini' and police in uniform and plain clothe, were firing bullets indiscriminately at that time in front of Amena Vila, about 400 meter inside from Shanir Akhra bus-stop.

According to local people, at least six people including Josim were killed on the spot on that day at Gualbari Mor while the killers took away some bodies.

"The killers were trying to make my husband's body disappear. But the people didn't allow them take his body, retaliating with brickbats as they knew Josim," weeping Razia said.

Demanding trial of the killers, she said, "They made my son an orphan. I want the trial of those who killed my husband. My humble request to the government, they should identify the killers and bring them to justice".

"My husband was the prime breadwinner of the family. He was running the family by pulling a rickshaw. But, since his martyrdom, we are going through a tough time," Razia burst into tears while sharing her agony since her husband's martyrdom.

Weeping Razia added: "As I suffered from strokes twice, I don't know how long I will live. But I am anxious about my son's future".

Since her husband's demise, she said they are now seeing sparks before their eyes as they are a landless and homeless family.

"As we are a landless and homeless family, there is none to support us as my father and father-in-law died years back. My son Jibon Ahmed (21) is now the only resort for me. He is now running the family with his monthly income of Taka 10,000 working in a courier service office," bereaved Razia said.

While visiting her house, it was seen Razia is living in a two-room flat at the Gualbari Mor area while she has to pay Taka 7,000 per month as rent.

"It is very hard to run the family with my son's little income after paying the house rent," she said.

Noting that her son passed SSC exams before the Covid-19, she said, "We could not continue his study due to economic hardship. I beg for a suitable job for my son from the government so that he can lead a decent life".

While talking to local people, they said Josim was a very good person. He used to help others as per his ability.