Mamun, a second year student of Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Government College in Dhaka, Mamun lived with his father Motaleb Mridha at Nayabazar in Old Dhaka.
“I heard that the present government has arrested many corrupt leaders, top criminals and godfathers across the country. Can they not bring to justice the killers of my son?” said Motaleb.
A landless farmer turned sawmill worker, Motaleb is the only earning member of the family gripped with frustration and poverty, struggling hard for existence.
Mamun's mother Morsheda burst into tears when we started talking with her at their old and decaying house at Alipura under Dashmina upazila, about 60 km from Patuakhali town.
"Hearing the news of blasts that day, I rushed to Bangabandhu Avenue. Shrapnel smashed both of his legs. Four grenade splinters pierced through his ribs, one through the right chin and some might have hit his brain,” recalled Motaleb.
"I accompanied him as rescuers were taking him towards Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead," he said.
“Mamun was a brilliant student and worked as a private tutor to help the family. He wanted to be an army officer,” said Morsheda with tears rolling down her pale cheeks. Failing to bear educational expenses, they married off two daughters -- Mahmuda, 18, and Jhumur, 16, while two other daughters -- Runa, 14, and Tuli, 12, are now studying in class ten and class seven.
"Of the Tk 1 lakh we received from Awami League, we have already spent Tk 50,000 for Mamun's chehlam and my elder daughter Mahmuda's marriage. I bought a piece of land with the rest Tk 50,000 in last year. On August 21 in 2005, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina donated Tk 25,000 for my daughter Jhumur's marriage," Motaleb said.
“We are yet to get any help from the government. The government is rehabilitating many landless people but they are not taking any step for our poor family,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment