Nobody beside Soumen, Ahad who were shot during quota reform movement

During the quota reform movement carried out by Students Against Discrimination (SAD), software engineer Soumen Mondal and BCS candidate Ahad Hossain from Manirampur upazila in Jashore were critically injured after being shot by police in Dhaka.

Nobody inquired about their present condition after they returned home in Jashore and no one came to their aid. They are now immensely suffering due to the lack of medical care.

Software engineer Soumen Mondal is the son of Pashupoti Mondal and Roma Rani Mondal, both teachers from Bijoyrampur village at Manirampur upazila of Jashore. BCS candidate Ahad Hossain is the son of the late Saheb Ali from Bolianpur village in the same upazila.

After completing his higher secondary education, Soumen Mondal enrolled in a software engineering programme at a private university in Dhaka, where he completed his undergraduate degree. This year, he sat for his Master's exams at Jagannath University, with the results yet to be announced.

Recently, Soumen joined Fast IT firm recently, but was shot in the waist by police at Basila under Mohammadpur police station in Dhaka, just four days after starting the job. On the day of the incident, he took part a procession brought out by activists and students of the SAD.

Describing the incidents of that day, Soumen Mondal said, "On Friday, July 19, a procession was brought out at Basila. I was heading towards the procession to join at 6:30pm. At that time, police shot me.”

"The police were firing indiscriminately. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my thigh, and before I knew it, my pants were soaked with blood. The students then came to my rescue and took me to Suhrawardy Hospital, where it was discovered that the bullet had entered my thigh and exited below my navel, causing a fractured femur," he added.

The on-duty doctors said that the bullet has been removed, the bones are expected to heal and fuse together.

Expressing fear and deep concerns for their son, Soumen's father Pashupoti Mondal said, "We hope for our child's full recovery and wish for him to walk normally again, like any other man. We ask for the countrymen's blessings for his healing."

On the other hand, on August 5, Ahad Hossain, who lived in the Malibag area, was shot in the eye while participating in a procession demanding Sheikh Hasina's resignation.

After completing his honors and master's degrees, he joined a coaching center in Dhaka with aspirations of becoming a BCS cadre. However, his dream of joining the BCS is now fading as he is now suffering from persistent eye pain staying at home.

Describing the horrific incident of that day, Ahad, with a tearful voice, said, "When the procession reached the Rampura area, the police instructed them to stay calm. The students participating in the procession acted accordingly, but all of a sudden, police started firing at us. A rubber bullet struck my eye, leaving me unable to see anything afterward."

Ahad's mother, Razia Begum, and other relatives are anxious about his treatment and overall well-being, as doctors have indicated that he needs more advanced care.

Murad Hossain, Ahad's elder brother, said, "Despite two eye operations in Dhaka, the bullet has not been removed. The doctors are concerned that eye complications could worsen with time."

Expressing his frustration, Ahad Hossain said, "Despite the toppling of autocrat Hasina’s government, no one has come to inquire about my condition. Everyone is focused on their own lives. Did I risk my life on the street in the face of bullets for nothing?"