MANIKGANJ, Sept 27, 2024 (BSS) – Rafiqul’s family is still confined in deep shock as he (Rafiqul) embraced martyrdom during the student-people mass uprising.   

The death of Rafiqul Islam has left his five-member family in misery and hardship as they now see a bleak future ahead.
 
Rafiqul Islam, 24, son of Md. Rahij Uddin of Shibalaya Upazila under Manikganj district was killed by policemen on August 5 during a joyous procession following the downfall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.

Rahij Uddin said Rafiqul studied till Grade 12 and was residing in Dhaka in search of a job. Since, he did not have any permanent job, he was contacting with some recruiting agencies to go abroad to earn a better livelihood. While staying at home, he used to help his father in agriculture works. Ten days before the incident Rafiqul returned home.

Recounting that fateful day, Rahij Uddin said Rafiqul went out early in the morning to join the movement with his friends. They joined a joyous procession in Paturia Ghat area. 

At around 12 noon his father called him up to come back home. He replied that he is coming soon, but he did not return home. “The last time when I called him up to come back home, he said, ‘I am coming home soon,’ said Rahij Uddin in an emotion-choked voice. 
 
At around 3 pm, someone called up Rahij Uddin and said Rafiqul was injured with bullet wounds and was taken to Uthuli Upazila Health Complex. Later, another call came which confirmed the tragic news of his death.  
 
Rahij Uddin said, “Rafiqul was rushed to Uthuli Upazila Health Complex by his friends, where the duty-doctors declared him dead. Hearing his death news, agitating students snatched Rafiqul’s body and marched towards Shibalaya police station by chanting slogans. At around 9pm Rafiqul’s body reached home and he was buried without a postmortem.”
 
Quoting his friends, Rafiqul’s father said, “Rafiqul died on the spot after he was shot by police in the lower abdomen.  Father of Rafiqul demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for the policemen who shot his son to death. 

Rahij Udddin said, “I want to see my son’s name in the list of martyrs who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country once again. He should be honoured for his supreme sacrifice.”

Rafiqul’s family received some money from Manikganj District unit BNP President Afroza Khan Rita and Manikganj unit of Jamaat-e-Islami. 

Rafiqul left behind his wife Shabnur Akter, 20, a 15- month-old daughter Raisa Akter, his mother, father and only sister to mourn his death. 
 
The mother of Rafiqul, Saher Begum is still shell-shocked after her only son's death. The grieving mother demanded death penalty of the killers. She said, “We don’t know how we will lead our life.  We are passing our days in big hardship.”

The neighbours urged the government and affluent people of the society to stand by family members of Rafiqul.  They (family of Rafiqul) urgently need financial assistance to remove their economic hardship.