Student shot during movement dies after 40 days

Sabbir Hossain, a 19-year-old student who was shot during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Cumilla's Debidwar on 5 August, died today (14 September), 40 days after sustaining injuries.

According to Sabbir's family, after receiving treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka for over a month, he was discharged yesterday. He passed away this morning at his maternal grandfather's home in Dakshin Vinglabari village of Debidwar town.

Sabbir's mother Rina Akhtar told The Business Standard, "Two years ago, Sabbir's father died. Since then, Sabbir has been driving a CNG auto-rickshaw along to support our family. He used to go to the protest every day demanding the resignation of the government.

"I couldn't stop him. I want justice for my son's murder," she added.

Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rafiqul Islam said, "Sabbir's uncle, Nazmul Haque, filed a case on 8 September naming 99 individuals and 150 unknown individuals in connection with the attempted murder of Sabbir.

"This case will now be converted into a murder case," the OC added.

Debidwar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nigar Sultana said, "We will talk to Sabbir's family and make arrangements for his burial. The administration will support Sabbir's family."

According to family sources, on 5 August around 10am, students took out a protest march in the New Market area of Debidwar Upazila. Sabbir was also there. At that time, Awami League and Chhatra League activists fired indiscriminately at the students.

Sabbir was shot twice in the head. He was first taken to Debidwar Upazila Health Complex and then to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Due to his deteriorating condition, he was admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka.

Sabbir, son of late Mohammad Alamgir Mia, was a class IX student at Morichakanda Zia Smrity Adarsha High School.