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Mamun Mia, a 25-year-old student, was working as a freelancer along with his studies to overcome the financial struggles of the family. He was about to go to Belgium for work in August hoping a better future but a bullet doomed the dreams of Mamun and his family.

Mamun was a master’s student of Government Titumir College in Dhaka. He sustained bullets at the Wapda area of Rampura in the capital Dhaka at night on July 18 amid the countrywide student movement for quota reform in government jobs.

His friends took him to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the hospital on July 19 at around 11:00am.

Like Mamun, at least 311 people were killed and several thousand injured in clashes and their aftermath between July 16 and August 4 as law enforcers backed by Awami League supporters launched a crackdown on anti-government protests that began with student protests for public job quota reforms.

Mamun’s father Abdul Ghani, resident of Shulpara in Shariatpur, was found fainting repeatedly while mourning the death of his youngest son.

He said, ‘Mamun used to work late night. There was no electricity and internet that day and he came out to eat with his friends that night.’

‘I am such an unfortunate father; I could not save the child!’ lamented the father.

‘He struggled much to continue his studies and used to say “Father, don’t worry. I am going abroad. We shall have no crisis. But who will now fill this void my son has left behind, a piece of my heart!’ the father mourned.

Ghani is a farmer by occupation. His oldest son Nuruzzaman went to Saudi Arabia six months ago as a labourer while his two other sons, Kalu and Rubel work in garment factories in Gazipur, Dhaka.

Rubel said that the family worked together to educate Mamun.

‘He got a job in a hotel abroad and he was taking preparations to go there. On July 19 2024, he was supposed to come to the village and take his father to the doctor. But his dead body came that day,’ said Rubel.

Mamun’s mother Hena Begum said that he called her that night and said that he would come home the next day.

‘What harm did my son do? Why did they shoot him? To whom should I ask for justice?’ lamented the mother. 

Shoulpara Monor Khan High School headmaster said, ‘Mamun was a brilliant student. It is tough to accept his death like this.’

Mamun was buried beside the house the night of July 19 2024.