Jillur Rahman, the son of a poor mason, dreamt of completing his education and securing a good job to bring financial stability to his family. He aspired to shoulder his family’s responsibilities. However, fate has turned him into a burden on the very family he wished to support. His days are now spent in fear and despair.
A final-year master’s student at Satkhira City College, Jillur Rahman’s dreams have been shattered following a tragic incident. He was critically injured by police gunfire during an anti-discrimination student protest. The once-bright future he envisioned now feels like an unattainable mirage that haunts him.
On August 5, during the protest at Khulna Road Junction in Satkhira town near the SP Bungalow, a bullet fired by the police struck the right side of Jillur’s abdomen. The injury severely damaged nine parts of his intestine, leading to massive blood loss. After two surgeries, a team of experienced doctors at Satkhira Medical College successfully removed the bullet and repaired the damage. Despite their efforts, Jillur now lives in dire conditions at home, gravely ill and struggling to survive.
His father, Abdul Khalek, a poor mason, faces insurmountable challenges in covering the cost of his son’s treatment and supporting the family. He is uncertain when his son will recover and return to a normal life.
Jillur Rahman, 23, hails from the village of Pachraki in Bashdaha Union under Satkhira Sadar Upazila. He is the eldest son of Abdul Khalek and Tafura Begum.
Speaking about the incident, Jillur recounted, “On August 5, my friends and I joined the peaceful anti-discrimination student protest. After offering the Zohr prayer, we were heading towards the SP Bungalow when the police suddenly fired at us. The bullet entered my abdomen, piercing nine sections of my intestine, causing excessive bleeding. My fellow protestors and locals rushed us to Satkhira Medical College. I underwent two surgeries, during which the bullet was removed, and the damaged intestines were repaired.”
He added, “Even though our protest was peaceful, no legal action has been taken against the police officers responsible for the shooting. The fear of that day still lingers in my mind. I demand justice and accountability for the actions of those involved.”
Jillur expressed his disheartenment, saying, “I had hoped to finish my studies and secure a good job to support my poor family. But now, that hope is fading. My father struggles to cover not only my education but also my medical expenses. Each day, I feel weaker; I can barely eat or find the strength to move. I appeal to the government to take responsibility for my education and treatment.”
His mother tearfully shared, “We struggled to educate him, but I had to stop my two younger sons’ schooling due to financial constraints. Jillur managed his own education by tutoring. But on August 5, he went to Satkhira town, and everything changed. My innocent son was shot by the police for reasons we cannot comprehend. We cannot afford proper food for him, let alone his treatment. He is in constant pain, crying out to God. He has grown weaker and can hardly eat now. He often asks me, ‘Mother, what will happen to me now?’”
She urged the government to provide her son with a job, stating, “My son has lost hope and needs support to rebuild his life.”
Jillur’s father added, “I work as a mason, but I couldn’t afford to educate my other two sons, Asaduzzaman and Rashiduzzaman. They now work as a tile mason and a mason’s assistant. Jillur, however, was pursuing his education with great difficulty. After being shot, he spent nearly two months in the hospital. Despite help from relatives and locals, we’ve received little government support. He won’t be able to do heavy work anymore. We request the government to provide him with employment to secure his future.”
Dr. Abdus Salam, the Civil Surgeon of Satkhira, stated, “We are preparing a final list of the injured and deceased from the anti-discrimination protest. A comprehensive report will soon be submitted to the government. Once completed, necessary measures, including medical assistance, will be taken for the injured.”
