On the morning of July 20 at 8 AM, construction worker Nur Alam (22) was heading to work in Gazipur’s Chourasta after receiving a call from his contractor. He was accompanied by his colleagues Asif and Abdullah. As they were passing through the area, they encountered a student procession involved in the quota reform movement. To control the situation, the police opened fire, and a bullet struck Nur Alam in the eye, exiting through his head. His colleagues rushed him to the hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
Nur Alam hailed from Mollapara village in Bhogdanga Union of Kurigram Sadar Upazila. He was the eldest son of Amir Ali from the same village. A year ago, he got married. His wife, Khadija Begum (19), is eight months pregnant.
Since the incident, mourning has engulfed Mollapara village. Even six days later, the family’s grief over losing their eldest son has not subsided. They demand justice for the innocent Nur Alam’s murder.
Khadija Begum, Nur Alam’s wife, told Prothom Alo, “I want justice for those who killed my husband. What will happen to my unborn child now?” she broke down in tears as she spoke.
Speaking to locals and relatives, it was learned that Amir Ali had moved with his family to Telipara village in Gazipur Chourasta seven years ago and rented a house there. He worked as a van driver. His eldest son, Nur Alam, left home at 8 AM on July 20 for work in Chourasta. On the way, he got caught in the conflict of the quota reform movement. When a bullet hit his eye, he collapsed to the ground. His colleagues Asif and Abdullah took him to a nearby hospital.
Upon hearing the news, Nur Alam’s father, Amir Ali, rushed to the hospital. Seeing his son’s condition, he realized that Nur Alam was no longer alive. However, the hospital authorities sent him to Joydevpur Hospital in an ambulance for advanced treatment, where the doctors declared him dead.
On Friday, visiting Nur Alam’s village home in Mollapara, one could see relatives mourning. His father, Amir Ali, mother, Nur Banu, and grandmother, Amena Khatun, were crying in front of his grave. Locals also gathered upon seeing journalists.
Nur Alam’s father, Amir Ali, said, “My son wasn’t involved in any political party. He was a laborer and had gone out for work in the morning. Yet, the police shot and killed him. I want justice for my son.”
Nur Alam’s mother, Nur Banu, told Prothom Alo, “Nur Alam left home at 8 AM on Saturday after receiving a call from the contractor. An hour later, we heard he was shot dead by the police. My son committed no crime. The police have taken away the treasure of my heart.”
Kurigram Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Masudur Rahman said, “We have no information about Nur Alam. I have heard that his body was buried by his family at his village home. Since the incident happened in Dhaka, the authorities there would have more details on the matter.”
- Source: Prothom-Alo
