He was soon to be a father: Khagrachhari family mourns son

Just weeks before becoming a father, 21-year-old Tayiching Marma was shot dead at Ramesu Bazar in Khagrachhari's Guimara upazila, leaving behind a pregnant wife, grieving parents, and a community in shock.

His wife, 20-year-old Tuni Marma, is nine months pregnant. Doctors had given an expected date for the birth of her child on October 9 -- but Tayiching will never see their first child.

The young couple used to live with his parents in Bottola, a small hillside community about a kilometre and a half from Ramesu Bazar. Tayiching, who drove a "Chander Gari" (open commuter jeep), was well loved in his neighbourhood. His sudden death has plunged the community into grief.

His body was cremated last night in the presence of army and police personnel. When this correspondent visited the family home this morning, his mother, Danu Marma, sat in silence, surrounded by mourners.

Photo: FM Mizanur Rahaman

"My son was never involved in politics. He studied at BGB's Mushfiq School as a child. Since 2018, he had been driving our family jeep. Our family relied on his and my husband's income. But now, everything is gone," said Danu.

His father, Holachai Marma, recounted the last time he saw his son. "He was at home until 11 in the morning. Later, I saw a Facebook live showing an argument between locals and the army, but no shots had been fired yet. Around noon, he went to Ramesu Bazar to buy fuel. Soon after, we heard gunshots and chaos."

"I tried calling him again and again but (over mobile) got no answer. In the evening, a police officer picked up his phone and told me it was in their custody. At that moment, I knew everything was over," he said, breaking down.

Tuni remembered her husband's last meal. "He had sat down to eat before leaving. Who knew that would be his last?"

Danu added, "My son's wife will give birth next month, but he will never see his child. She will carry this wound for life. Our happy little home, our dreams -- everything has been shattered."

Asked whether he would file a case, Holachai replied, "Against whom? For what? We just want to live in peace. I only ask the government to give my daughter-in-law a job. How will she survive without her husband?"

This morning, army personnel were still deployed at Ramesu Bazar. Shops were half-open, traders inspecting the damage. "This is the largest marketplace for the Marma community in the district. Today is market day -- but look around, there's nothing," said Usepru Marma, former Guimara upazila chairman.

On Sunday, during the blockade programme, protests and violence turned Guimara's Ramesu Bazar into a battlefield. Clashes broke out between law enforcement agencies and blockade supporters, with a local group siding with the law enforcers. Gunfire left three people dead while at least 20 others, including an army major, were injured.

The road blockade in Khagrachhari, enforced under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata, continued today amid tight security in protest against the rape of a schoolgirl.

The alleged rape took place on September 23 when the class eight student was returning from private tuition around 9:00pm. Protests erupted over the incident since September 24 under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata.