Dhaka: A promising student, Md Irfan Bhuiyan, was fatally shot near Kajla Toll Plaza in the city's Jatrabari area during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) on July 18, 2024, leaving his grieving family shattered.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Irfan, a 23-year-old honors second-year student of United International University (UIU), embraced martyrdom at the time when the government launched a massive crackdown on the protestors under the banner of ADSM that eventually turned into a massive uprising. The movement succeeded in ousting nearly 16 years of autocracy on August 5, 2024.
Irfan's father, Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, a senior executive at the same university, is now struggling with unbearable guilt, believing he unknowingly allowed his son to walk into danger. He expressed remorse, stating he had given his son money for transport, never imagining it would be his last journey.
Aminul vividly remembered the memory of his son on the final day. Despite suffering from dysentery, Irfan joined the protest in the Shanir Akhra area of Jatrabari after calls from his friends. His mother managed to keep him home until noon, but he eventually left without breakfast to join the protest.
Aminul recounted how he unknowingly facilitated his son's participation by giving him transport money, a decision he now regrets. He was unaware of the dire situation on the streets when law enforcement allegedly fired indiscriminately at protestors.
Irfan's friend Pial informed Aminul about the tragic incident after Asr prayers, revealing that Irfan had been shot. Despite efforts to get medical attention, Irfan succumbed to his injuries. Aminul later received his son's body at the National Medical Institute in Sadarghat.
Unbeknownst to his family, Irfan had been secretly involved in the movement. Though he outwardly opposed the protests, he had joined earlier demonstrations, keeping his family in the dark.
Irfan aspired to become a doctor but was studying Computer Science at UIU, hoping to build a future in IT. He often reassured his father of plans to support the family financially. Aminul now laments the unfulfilled dreams of his son, who had promised to build a house for them.
The family received financial assistance from the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation but chose to donate it to a local mosque, unable to use it for Irfan's unfulfilled dreams.
Aminul filed a case with Jatrabari Police Station, holding top government and administrative officials responsible for Irfan's death. Despite this, the family remains devastated, grappling with their loss and unanswered questions.
The pain of losing Irfan is immeasurable, with his family left in ruins and his father constantly questioning if things could have been different.