Abu Sayeed's father looks for dead son among thousands

PIRGANJ, Rangpur, Aug 24 (BSS): Mokhbul Hossain in an illusion looks for his son Abu Sayeed killed in police firing during the student-mass upsurge as thousands of people irrespective of party affiliations, professions, castes and creeds regularly visit the grave of the slain student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur (BRUR) to pay respect to him and pray for eternal peace of his departed soul.

Distressed engulfed Hossain as his son's death made him so shocked, reluctant and speechless forcing him merely to wait beside Sayeed's grave.

Sayeed's father hardly stare from his son's grave until prayers call is announced as he goes to mosques five times to offer prayers and make dua for his revolutionary son who didn't bow down head to injustice, putting his chest to embrace bullets stretching his two hands with just carrying a stick in one hand, showing no apparent threat to anyone.

While talking to the news agency, Hossain attributed his son's death to targeted killing as he claimed that Sayeed was aimed due to his interview with media.

He said, "Sayeed dreamt of to be an officer. He got scholarship since class five. He was very meritorious. He ranks second in the Rokeya University in the admission test".

Mother Monowara Begum burst into tears while talking about Sayeed. She said, "I still think my son didn't die. I always think my son is in dormitory or in college. He will come home anytime and will call me 'ma'".

She remembered her son's gift for all family members which he bought with the tuition money earned during the last Eid. Begum said, "Sayeed was having a brick house built for us thinking that we were uncomfortable in the mud house. I see Sayeed's memory wherever I look at in the house".

Sayeed's younger sister Sumi Khatun said her brother wanted to be "a big officer". "Sayeed would say he will wipe away all sorrows of us. My brother would think about all of us. Today, many distinguished people come to my brother's grave to offer prayer. We have pain but we are proud of my brother".

She demanded the authorities to build and name a hall after her brother in every university, a separate university in Pirganj and a hospital that will provide treatment free of cost.

Sayeed was born in a poor family in Babonpur village of Pirganj. Among nine siblings, he was only pursuing studies. He was a student of 12th batch of English department at BRUR.

Relatives and neighbours helped him continue study at SSC and HSC level. Sayeed's parents had thousands dream that one day their son will fill the family with joys after finishing his education. But, their entire dream has shattered.

Sayeed was among six who were killed in police firing across the country during movement centering quota system in the government job on July 16.

Their deaths fueled the movement unleashing deadly clash with the law enforcers like police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) turning it into mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina-led government which became a tyrant for last 15 years destroying all democratic systems such as right to franchise, freedom of expression etc.

At least 757 persons were, so far, reportedly killed in shootings and deadly clashes centering the anti-discrimination student movement across the country.

Classmates Arman Haque and Liakat Ali said gentle and delicate Sayeed was very adorable to teachers and classmates. They said, "Sayeed had a good relation with all of every department. He was not connected to any politics directly. He use to study for jobs from the first year".

BRUR English depart head and Associate Professor Asif Al Matin said, "All are students, but there are some graceful students whom we can't forget. Sayeed was among them".

While offering prayer at Sayeed's grave on August 14, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir mentioned that Sayeed placed the soil of Pirganj in the history as he launched a new Bangladesh history by shedding blood.

Alamgir called it as the history of sacrifice of youths, new history of liberation war and a history of emancipating Bangladeshi people.

Earlier, on August 10, Chief Adviser to the Interim Government Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus went to Pirganj to pay respect to the memory of Abu Sayeed. He offered prayers at Sayeed's grave and said, "Abu Sayeed is not for only one family, he is the child of all families in Bangladesh".

The chief adviser mentioned that the young folks who are studying will remember Abu Sayeed and will pledge to be like him. "They will say-I will also fight for the justice like Abu Sayeed," he added.