Jamalganj: How Md Abul Kalam will overcome the intolerable pain and grief over losing one son and another son being crippled? Abul Kalam’s elder son Sohag Mia, 23, was killed while the younger son, 22, was critically injured during a joyous procession following the downfall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina. Sohag Mia was laid to rest adjacent to a ditch at his ancestral home with a national flag flying high on his grave. Md Abul Kalam, father of Sohag, is offering prayers seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of his beloved son.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BSS correspondent witnessed the scene at the native home of martyred Sohag Mia located at Gulamipur village under Bhimkhali union in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj district. Kalam has no option but to shed tears incessantly for his two sons; one was shot dead by police, and the other became crippled while participating in the anti-discrimination student movement. Sohag was killed during the student movement on August 5.
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any in the country, Sohag Mia and his sibling Shuvo Mia joined the victory procession in Dhaka after Sheikh Hasina’s rule ended. Near Badda police station, police opened fire on the protestors, killing Sohag on the spot. Sohag was buried at their native graveyard following a namaj-e-janaza at the Helipad ground in the district town, attended by people from all walks of life, including students and political representatives.
Sohag Mia, son of day labourer Abul Kalam and Rokeya Begum, was born on December 7, 2001. Financial constraints forced him to discontinue his studies after the fifth grade. Sohag was the second of six children in the family. Shuvo Mia, Sohag’s sibling, became crippled from bullet injuries sustained during the agitation. Shuvo recounted, “I also took part in the procession. When we reached near Badda police station, police opened fire on us. We received bullet injuries….Sohag died on the spot.”
Shuvo now faces an uncertain life, unable to afford continuous treatment due to financial dif
ficulties. Billal Mia, Sohag’s elder brother, shared the family’s struggles, including selling land and cattle and taking loans to send Sohag abroad, which never materialized. Rokeya Begum, recalling her son, demanded exemplary punishment for Sohag’s killers.
Abul Kalam Azad, Sohag’s father, stated, “I cannot work due to heart disease. I depend on my sons to run my family.” The family is living in a dilapidated house on one decimal of land. Touhid Chowdhury Prodip, president of Jamalganj Press Club, urged government support for the family, highlighting the dire situation they face. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami provided financial assistance to the family and conveyed their sympathy. They termed the martyrs of the anti-discrimination movement as valiant fighters and handed over Tk 2 lakh to Sohag’s family.