Mizanur Rahman Mizan, 67, from Mirpur, Kushtia, has spent 30 years transporting deceased individuals. He transports bodies from police scenes to the morgue and, if unclaimed, to cemeteries.
He started this career after facing significant personal and professional challenges.
“I began working with the Bangladesh Arms Police Battalion in 1981. In 1991, I lost my job due to disagreements with the commanding officer of the First Arms Police Battalion.
“After losing my job, I had to sell my house in Kushtia. My first wife also took custody of my child, Minaj, and went back to her father's house. During that time, I started driving a van for a living.”
In 1994, Mizan began his career as a van driver by transporting a body from the Mirpur police station to the morgue. Since then, he has been working in body transportation for the police station. Over the past 30 years, he has transported around 200 bodies. In addition to transporting bodies, he also continues to drive the van.
His son Minaj currently runs a business in Rupdia Bazar, Jessore, but he does not keep in touch with his father, Mizan.
Currently, Mizanur lives in Chunia Para village in Kushtia, as a househusband. He has been living there for about 34 years with his second wife. Mizanur and his second wife have one son and one daughter.
Responding to a question whether he is scared of transporting bodies he said: “I used to be scared of transporting bodies, but not anymore. Now, I only feel fear when transporting living people in the van. I am not scared of transporting deceased individuals.”
Mizan said that because he transports bodies, passengers are afraid to ride in his van, making it very difficult for him to sustain his household by driving the van.
He said that he receives a fare ranging from Tk700 to Tk3,000 for each body transported, depending on the financial capability of the deceased's relatives. However, if the deceased's identity is unknown, the police station pays the fare.
Mizan said that he has worked for the Arms Battalion AIG for ten years. Therefore, he claims that now that he is old, he should be granted a half pension to survive.