By Md Aynal Haque
 
BOGRA, Dec 6, 2024 (BSS) - Siam Shuvo, 16, brought up by his foster parents from an early age dreamt of living a decent life when he grows up.
 
However, Siam lost his life at a tender age as he was fatally shot by police during the anti-discrimination student movement at Seujgari Amtola crossing in Bogra town in the afternoon of July 19 (Friday).
 
Siam's supreme sacrifice could not draw attention from any corner yet, as his foster parents are low-income people.
 
He used to live with his foster (palok) parents at the adjacent Haddipatty slum area.
 
Around seven years back, Shapla Begum, 51, a resident of Haddipatty slum, found Siam in an unclaimed condition at Bogra railway station at the age of 9.
 
Since then, the Ashique-Sapla couple has been taking care of him. Sometimes, he used to work at a scrap shop and sometimes as a helper in buses for extra income for the family.
 
On July 19 after finishing work at 3pm, Siam went to attend the anti-discrimination student movement taking Taka 100 from his father Ashique. The agitators started to gather after setting up a barricade on the road at Seujgari Amtala crossing around 4 pm. Soon a clash erupted between police and the agitators.
 
At one stage, armed police started shooting repeatedly using shotguns from an armed personnel carrier injuring many students, including Siam, who sustained splinter wounds grievously.
 
He was immediately rushed to Bogra Nursing Home. As his health condition deteriorated alarmingly, he was referred to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening.
 
Emergency Medical Officer of the hospital Dr Saleh Ahmed said Siam died due to massive internal blood hemorrhage as he was hit by numerous splinters.
 
Faruque Hossain, night guard at Haddpatty bus stand, said he along with some of his friends performed the last rituals, including bath, of the body and they found huge mark of splinters on the body. "When we were giving bath, the police opened fire on us. We ran away leaving behind the body for some time," said Faruque.
 
He said as it was a great risk for everyone, only a few people were present during Siam's burial at Bogra Central graveyard Namajgarh.
 
Shapla Khatun, a physically impaired woman, said they accepted Siam as their own son and did all possible things for his betterment. Siam earned money and gave those to them regularly.
 
She said Siam was not inferior to their two other sons and two daughters. “Our hearts are still bleeding . . . we can still feel the existence of Siam,” wailing family members shared their agony revisiting memories of martyr Siam.
 
Shapla Khatun said although Siam left us for his eternal journey, he will remain alive forever in the hearts of the people. People, who sacrifice their lives for justice and truth, never die.
 
Siam’s father Ashique said a case was recorded with Bogra Sadar Police Station in connection with Siam's murder on July 21. In the case petition, it was mentioned that Siam was killed by cocktails blasted by the agitators.
 
At the same time, the party leaders and workers of the fascist Awami League harassed the Shapla-Ashique family by filing a case against them terming them as drug-traders.
 
After fall of the fascist Awami League government on August 5, the fabricated case has been repealed.
 
As its plaintiff, Shapla Khatun has lodged a case making Sheikh Hasina as main accused over the murder of her son.