CHATTOGRAM, Dec 27, 2024 (BSS) – Md Selim, 50, who received severe bullet injury during the student-led mass uprising is still dreaming of returning back to normal life.
 
He needs better treatment on an emergency basis for his full recovery but CNG-run auto driver faces financial hardship. 

 Virtually, severe financial crisis is fading his dream for returning bank normal life. 
 
Poor Selim a CNG-run auto driver is now almost crippled as uncountable number of bullets hit his legs and waist on August 5 last -the penultimate day of fascist Sheikh Hasina government’s fall while he joined anti-fascist movements with student-masses at Bahadderhat circle under Chandgaon thana in the city.
  
Bahadderhat-Muradpur – Sholoshahar – a stretches of around 2-kilometers were one of the hot spot of port city during July-August uprising when Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) launched an all-out movement to topple autocratic Hasina-led AL government.

Selim, son of late Nurul Islam of Pakkar Dokan area of Khawaja road near Bahadderhat under Chandgaon thana has been living with his wife Hera Akter , 32, and their two kids – Tamanna Akter , 13 , a seven grade student of local high school and Md Arif, 12, studying at class four at Chowdhury Primary School.  

Narrating his background on his involvement, Selim told  BSS that as CNG driver he was familiar with many local students who regularly joined in the movement and he carried student leaders here and there in those tensed days ignoring risks of being caught by police or attacked by goons.

“ I was never bargain for fare and took whatever amount the students paid for trips with smile. Hearing conversations of students abroad and getting information of cruel attacked and killing of student-masses throughout the country by police and pro-government unruly activists, I got inspired to join the movement to free the country from the clutches of Hasina government” Selim added who studied up to class six before started driving for running family.

Recalling the memories of those turmoil period , Selim said many student and general masses were injured following series of pierce clashes between police-Juba League- Chattra League armed cadres verses ADSM supporters at Muradpur area. 

Parking my rented auto-rickshaw at safer place I joined with the protesters.

On crucial day of August 4, I had participated in the movement in Bahadderhat area and at one stage , the spot had turned into a battle field. Police along with armed goons backed by Juba League and BCL started indiscriminate firing resulted in injury of numerous protesters.

Suddenly he saw a bullet-hit man moaning lie on the road with heavy bleeding.
“ Ignoring the risk , I run to the spot despite of continued firing to rescue the dying man. Then two policemen from nearby spot shoot on me .

 Scores of bullets hit my waist and legs. Endless flow of bloods got wet my waist and legs.

 At one stage I was senseless and fell on the road” Selim told BSS with pale looking a far .

Previously known Rubel and Nurul Islam took him to Chattogram Medical College Hospital ( CMCH) and informed my wife Hera Akter. Due to delay in treatment and heavy bleeding , Selim lost his senses. However, he regained his sense after 2 hours when fresh blood given to him.

As per X-ray report and physicians observation, Selim needs long-term intensive treatment to save him from being crippled as bullets pierced his leg-nerve and vein. Now he can not even sit or stand without others help.

Hera Akter, wife of Selim burst into tears when she was asked to tell their present condition and future plan for survival.

“Even after passing of four and half months, the government has not come to us for providing financial help. Such types of negligence to movement heroes, who had participated in the movement for the country endangering their life, is very unfortunate” Hera Akter expressed her angriness.

Hera said they needs a lot of money for buying expensive medicine and other treatment cost besides daily meal.

“ My husband is going to be crippled at this stage if his treatment is hampered or not getting proper treatment.” she feared making an appeal to the new government of Prof. Muhammad Yunus and affluent persons to come forward for her husband’s recovery.       
Family of Selim got only ten thousands taka from neighbors and relatives besides tk. 5000 from former local BNP councilor Mahbub Alam and Taka 3000 from city BNP convenor Ershad Ullah. 
                        
Selim was only bread earner of his family as he depends only on auto-rickshaw driving . A paltry amount of his earlier savings and help from relatives are now finished for bearing treatment cost and meeting daily family needs. 
  
“I am passing a miserable life without any earnings just like a hostage inside my home except moves to hospital intermittently for treatment.

 I cannot even stand as my right leg foot almost paralyzed and waist is getting weaker gradually due to prolong injury at legs and waist” Selim said with weeping continuously.

Selim said he has no intention to live with others help and mercy like beggar but expects supports from government and rich persons to overcome such an untold sufferings as well as back to normal life which will enable him to lives on his own income.

Selim also demanded exemplary punishments of those perpetrators who were involved in heinous and inhuman crime of killing innocent students and general people during previous rule of Sheikh Hasina government particularly July-August uprising.