Bullet-hit Sourav returns home

Sourav Mia, the 10-year-old boy who was shot by Gaibandha-1 lawmaker Manzurul Islam Liton was released from Rangpur Medical College hospital (RMCH) today after 25 days of treatment.

Sourav was relieved from RMCH around 11 am and returned to his native village Gopalcharon with his parents in an ambulance under police protection.

Saju Mia, father of victim thanked the physicians for their around the clock treatment of his son. He however, expressed concern over the hospital bills for Sourav’s treatment.

After reaching the village at 2 pm, relatives and locals alike thronged Saju’s house to meet the boy.

When our correspondent visited RMCH on Sunday, Sourav was seen playing with ball.

“I don’t like staying in the hospital any more. I want to play with my friends at home, but the doctors refuse to move me from hospital, so father bought me a ball for me from puja fair”, said Sourav.

Sourav is almost cured and able to walk without any help, but he still needs care for a few more days, said Dr Bablu Kumar Shaha of RMCH.

“I still feel a little pain in my left leg even though I can walk alone”, said Sourav adding that he can’t wait to go back to school.

On October 2, Manzurul Islam Liton, Awami League lawmaker from Gaibandha-1, shot Sourav, for no reason, the victim's family alleged.

Liton shot the class four student along the Brac Intersection in Gopalcharan.

According to the victim's family, Sourav went for a walk with his uncle Shahjahan Ali. The MP was then returning to his home in Bamandanga from Sundarganj when he stopped his car at the intersection. Liton called Sourav, but he began to run instead of listening to the MP. At this, Liton flew into rage and opened fired. Two bullets pierced through Sourav’s left leg and right. The victim was rushed to RMCH in critical condition and went under surgical treatment.

The matter instantly sparked protest in the local areas, where people staged protest demanding the punishment of the lawmaker for shooting an innocent child.

Father of victim filed an attempt to murder case against lawmaker Liton with Sunderganj police station the next day.

A team of Dhaka DB police arrested lawmaker Liton from his sister’s house at Uttara in Dhaka on October 14 and he was produced before Gaibandha Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on October 15. The court after the hearing sent him to jail rejecting bail prayer.

“I am worried in my home, as the men of Liton might attack at any time, so I sought cooperation of administration for the safety of his family”, said Saju Mia, father of Sourav.