Bangladesh
More than just numbers

‘He was just a boy, why did police shoot him?’

Says mother of Maruf who was killed in Tangail

A 24-year-old mason fatally shot in the chest in Gazipur. A 16-year-old student gunned down by cops in Tangail. A 37-year-old driver shot dead in Dhaka. At least 400 lives (the actual number could be much higher) were lost when law enforcers opened fire on protesters during the recent unrest. But these victims are not just statistics; they are children, parents, and friends. In this report, we try to know the stories of three such names among these tragic numbers.

"We are finally free" is what 16-year-old Maruf thought when he came to know about Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5.

He thought the worst days were behind him, and his friends won't be killed again for demanding what is right.

After weeks, he finally felt safe.

So he joined the celebrations in a "free" country, only to be gunned down by cops in Tangail just hours after Hasina's fall.

His father, Majnu Miah, had recently taken loans and gone abroad to work, all in the hope of securing a better life for his family. He dreamt of his son completing his education and bringing pride to the family. But those dreams were shattered that fateful afternoon.

As Maruf joined a celebratory procession in Tangail town, the event spiraled into chaos near Tangail Sadar Police Station. Police opened fire, and the 10th grader was critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

"My son was only a school-goer. He just went out to join a peaceful procession. Why did they have to shoot him to death?" Maruf's mother, Morsheda Akter, wept as she recalled the tragic day.

"We had high hopes for our son. It's all shattered now," she said.

Criminal proceedings have already begun in connection with Maruf's death. Local coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement demanded that a local road be named in Maruf's honour -- a request the administration promised to fulfill.

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More than just numbers

‘He was just a boy, why did police shoot him?’

Says mother of Maruf who was killed in Tangail

A 24-year-old mason fatally shot in the chest in Gazipur. A 16-year-old student gunned down by cops in Tangail. A 37-year-old driver shot dead in Dhaka. At least 400 lives (the actual number could be much higher) were lost when law enforcers opened fire on protesters during the recent unrest. But these victims are not just statistics; they are children, parents, and friends. In this report, we try to know the stories of three such names among these tragic numbers.

"We are finally free" is what 16-year-old Maruf thought when he came to know about Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5.

He thought the worst days were behind him, and his friends won't be killed again for demanding what is right.

After weeks, he finally felt safe.

So he joined the celebrations in a "free" country, only to be gunned down by cops in Tangail just hours after Hasina's fall.

His father, Majnu Miah, had recently taken loans and gone abroad to work, all in the hope of securing a better life for his family. He dreamt of his son completing his education and bringing pride to the family. But those dreams were shattered that fateful afternoon.

As Maruf joined a celebratory procession in Tangail town, the event spiraled into chaos near Tangail Sadar Police Station. Police opened fire, and the 10th grader was critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

"My son was only a school-goer. He just went out to join a peaceful procession. Why did they have to shoot him to death?" Maruf's mother, Morsheda Akter, wept as she recalled the tragic day.

"We had high hopes for our son. It's all shattered now," she said.

Criminal proceedings have already begun in connection with Maruf's death. Local coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement demanded that a local road be named in Maruf's honour -- a request the administration promised to fulfill.

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