Nearly 20 years ago, Nasima Begum’s husband disappeared. She raised her two sons by working as a domestic worker in Dhaka. After her eldest son started working for a private company, she returned to her village. The family was supported by her son’s income. But that son has now been killed in the clashes surrounding the quota reform protests in Dhaka. Having lost her husband and now her son, Nasima Begum finds herself in dire straits.
Nasima Begum (45) is from Surjapur village in Bhani Union of Debidwar Upazila, Comilla. Her eldest son, Kadir Hossain (25), was shot dead in the clashes at Gopibagh, Dhaka, on July 20, during the quota reform protests. Her younger son, Shahidul Islam (22), works as a bookbinder in Dhaka’s Rayerbazar.
When visiting Surjapur village yesterday, Nasima Begum recounted her ordeal. On the evening of July 20, around 7 PM, Kadir went out with his friends for a snack. There were gunshots and explosions all around. As he stepped from the alley onto the street, a bullet hit his back. He died at 3 AM while being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was buried in the village on the night of July 21.
Tears streamed down Nasima’s face as she spoke. “My husband disappeared. Now my son too has been shot and killed. Who is more unfortunate than me?” she said, wiping her eyes. Her husband, Mohammad Ali, worked as a mason’s assistant. Around 2002, he left home and never returned. After he went missing, Nasima moved to Dhaka with her two sons and settled in Mugda. She started working as a domestic worker to support her family. Despite many hardships, she managed to raise her sons. Her eldest son, Kadir, began working for a courier service company. The family relied on his income. Due to poor health, she returned to her father’s home three years ago.
Shahidul Islam sat silently next to his mother. He recounted the night of July 20. “My brother’s friend called me that night and told me that Abdul Kadir had been shot. With the help of local people, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. I reached the hospital around 1 AM. My brother saw me and said, ‘Why did you take the risk to come so late? You could have come in the morning.’ That was all we spoke. My brother died at 3 AM.”
Nabirul Bhuiyan, the member of Ward No. 3 of Bhani Union Parishad, said Nasima Begum lives with her father. She is in great distress after losing her son, and her husband has been missing for many years.
Debidwar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Nigar Sultana said she has been informed about Nasima Begum’s situation. The government will provide assistance to them.
