Just a day after returning from Malaysia, Saiful Islam (32) joined an anti-discrimination protest with his younger sister, who is a university student. On August 5th, during a government-toppling demonstration in front of Uttara East Police Station in Dhaka, Saiful was shot and killed. The next day, after his funeral prayers in his village, he was buried in the family graveyard.
Saiful Islam was from Baraikandi village in Birishiri Union of Durgapur Upazila in Netrakona. He was the sole breadwinner of his family, which is now devastated by his loss.
Speaking with locals and relatives revealed that Saiful was the second among two brothers and two sisters. After the death of his father, Sikandar Ali, 17 years ago, Saiful took on the responsibility of his family. As a teenager, he supported the household by working in agriculture. To improve the family’s financial situation, he went to Malaysia about a year ago. His income not only covered the household expenses but also supported the education of his sister, Lima Akter, who is in her final year studying Economics at Muminunnisa Government Women’s College in Mymensingh.
Relatives shared that Saiful returned to Bangladesh on the night of August 3rd, two days before the planned government-toppling protests. He was welcomed at the airport at 10:30 PM by his sister Lima Akter. That night, they stayed at a relative’s house in Uttara. The next day, both siblings participated in the anti-discrimination protest. On the morning of August 5th, they joined the protest again. However, in the afternoon, a bullet struck Saiful in the chest in front of Uttara East Police Station. He collapsed immediately on the street. His sister Lima and other protesters rushed him to Uttara Modern Hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead. That same night, Lima brought Saiful’s body back to their village in a pickup truck. The following morning, after funeral prayers at the Guzirkona High School field, he was laid to rest. Lima Akter cannot forget the sight of her brother being shot in front of her. She told Prothom Alo, “I saw the police shoot my brother right in front of my eyes. I was beside him when he fell to the ground after being hit in the chest. Blood was pouring from his chest. The doctors declared him dead after we took him to the hospital. I still can’t believe he is no longer in this world. I can’t forget him even for a moment.”
Lima Akter continued, “After arriving at the airport on August 3rd, he told me that night he wanted to join the protest. When I suggested going home, he replied, ‘I will return home only after achieving success; otherwise, my body will go.’” With this, she broke into tears.
Saiful’s mother, Khodeja Khatun, said, “After coming back from abroad, my son called me and said, ‘Mother, the situation in Dhaka is very bad. I will come home after bringing down Hasina’s government. Don’t worry.’ My son did return home, but as a corpse. As a mother, seeing my son’s dead body is a pain I cannot describe. Why didn’t Allah let me die instead! I pray no one else loses a child like I did.”
Md. Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of Birishiri Union Parishad, said, “Saiful was a very polite and good person. His death while protesting against discrimination has left his family in a severe crisis.”
Durgapur Upazila Executive Officer, M. Rakibul Hasan, stated, “A migrant named Saiful Islam died while participating in the anti-discrimination movement. The Upazila administration will provide his family with a check of 25,000 takas. Additionally, the administration will continue to support the family.”
