By Syed Altefat Hossain

DHAKA, Dec 8, 2024 (BSS) – Mohammad Russell, a 29-year-old small fish trader, left his home to join the historic “March to Dhaka Programme” on August 5 during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The movement succeeded in ousting the nearly 16 years of autocracy, but he never returned home, nor he could witness the victory of the cause he fought for.

A devoted son and caregiver to his widowed mother Safura Begum, Russell was shot dead near Kajla foot over bridge at Jatrabari as along with thousand others attempted to break through police barricades.

“If I die, please take care of Ammu (mother),” Russell had told his brother as turmoil brewed just days ahead of the August 5 visibly realizing he could as well embrace martyrdom as a selfless activist on the street.

Russell’s mother, who is in her late 50’s, wailed as this correspondent approached her for some words about her martyred son at their Shanir Akhra area residence at Jatrabari in the city.

During the conversation with this correspondent, Safura Begum at one point burst into tears as she recalled his beloved son’s request to his brother urging him to take care of their mother if he dies in the movement.

Those words now haunt other members of the family.

“I cannot forget my son even for a little while . . . I cannot eat or sleep,” said Safura in a sobbing tone, adding since her son died she could not stop crying.

Family members and relatives said her health was declining steadily ever since as the grief engulfed him entirely for months together.

They said Safura was tied with Russell by heavenly bond simultaneously she largely was dependent on him financially.

Russell was third among his six brothers - Mohammad Manir (35) and Mohammad Rana (18), both private car drivers; Mohammad Rubel (30), a mobile mechanic, Mohammad Sohel (22) and Mohammad Jewel (20), both fish traders.

Russell’s brothers, also active supporters of the student-led movement, are struggling to support their mother while managing their own financial hardships, trying to grapple with the loss of their brother.

“On August 4, we saw two people, including one elderly and another teenager, shot dead in front of us near Kajla foot over bridge. We extended our hands to take their bodies to a nearby hospital, but they were already expired,” recalled Rubel, immediate elder brother of Russell.

He said returning home on that day around 5pm, he warned his brothers not to go near Kajla Foot Over Bridge again.

Around 8.30am on August 5, Russell and his brothers joined their neighbours in a procession heading towards Jatrabari to join the ‘March to Dhaka’ programme.

But when they reached Kajla foot over bridge around 9:30 am, gunfire erupted. Seven or eight bullets were fired, killing five people instantly, Russell being one of them. Rubel recalled at least a woman and a madrasah student were among the five killed on the spot.

“We couldn’t even rescue my brother’s body because the police were firing indiscriminately . . . ten minutes later, it started raining heavily, but the chaos didn’t stop. Eventually, someone named Sohel managed to take my brother’s body to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH),” Rubel said.

The family later received Russell’s body from the hospital following autopsy and buried him at Matuail Graveyard.  For Safura Begum, life has lost its meaning since that tragic day. Her son’s absence is a wound that refuses to heal.

“Russell was affectionate and caring. Though I have five more sons, I always felt safe with him. Now, I feel like I’m dying from pain,” said Safura with her voice trembling.

Russell’s family, hailed from Galachipa of Patuakhali, demands justice.

His brother, Rubel, has filed a case, naming Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader as prime accused. They are calling for a fair trial to hold the perpetrators for the loss of Russell and countless others.
The “March to Dhaka”  succeeded in toppling the fascist regime, but for families like Russell, the cost was immeasurable and for Safura, no political victory can erase the void left by her son’s death.