Dhaka: Shaheed Md Nasir Hossen, a 39-year-old tailor, was embroiled in controversy after being accused under the Anti-Terrorism Act just two days before his death on July 23. Nasir succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during a student-people uprising in the Rayerbag area of Jatrabari on July 20. The incident highlights the volatile nature of protests that have gripped the city, resulting in numerous casualties and a political upheaval.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nasir was struck by three bullets to the forehead while participating in an anti-discrimination protest that escalated into a broader movement against the government. His brother, Md Zilani Islam, described Nasir as an ordinary citizen with no political inclinations, who joined the protest out of outrage over the indiscriminate killing of civilians. Zilani, who narrowly escaped harm himself, expressed disbelief over the legal action against his brother, which was eventually dropped following the collapse of the Awami government on August 5.
Eyewitnesses reported that the areas surrounding Jatrabari became battlegrounds as the student-led uprising intensified, aiming to topple the government of Sheikh Hasina. The unrest peaked after the deaths of two policemen on July 19, leading to aggressive responses from law enforcement, including reported indiscriminate firing by police and airborne assaults by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Zilani recounted the harrowing experience of getting medical assistance for his brother amid the chaos. Nasir was eventually admitted to Mugda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) but did not receive adequate medical care, according to Zilani. He alleged that law enforcement’s presence at the hospital deterred medical staff from treating Nasir properly, and the family faced financial burdens due to excessive charges for medicines.
Following Nasir’s death, the family encountered further obstacles in retrieving his body from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and burying him. Local political influences and alleged harassment by supporters of the ruling party compounded their grief. Despite these challenges, Nasir was ultimately buried, though not in his ancestral home as the family had wished.
Nasir’s death left his family in financial distress, as he had been a primary provider. His younger siblings’ education and the family’s daily expenses now weigh heavily on his surviving relatives. The incident underscores the human toll of political strife and the complex dynamics of dissent in Bangladesh.