A Bangladeshi official of Brac, the largest non-governmental development organisation in the world, was stabbed to death by unidentified miscreants in South Sudan on Wednesday.
Deceased Mohammed Habibur Rahman, 45, was on his way to Yei from the country’s capital Juba. He had been serving as the regional manager of Brac’s programme for over three years.
Assistant Director of Brac International Jalal Uddin Ahmed said they are deeply shocked by the incident.
“Habibur had been with the Brac for last 22 years. Now we are trying to bring back his body home. We also urged South Sudanese authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident,” he said.
Brac officials said they have multiple educational institutions at Yei, not far from Juba. Habibur was on the way to Yei in a car to oversee educational activities there.
According to the car driver’s statement, a group of people blocked their car when they were about 30 kilometres away from Yei. They forced the driver out of the car and drove off with Habibur in the car.
On information, local police tracked the car down and found it abandoned near a road. Habibur was also found stabbed in the vicinity. He was then taken to a local hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
“We are giving priority on two issues at the moment – proper investigation to ensure justice and bring the body back to Bangladesh,” Brac official Jalal said.
Brac has already discussed how to bring Habibur’s mortal remains back home with the Bangladesh embassy there, he said.
Delwar Hossain, brother of the deceased, said that the family of the deceased is keeping constant contact with Brac.
“Brac officials told us that Habibur’s autopsy had been done in Sudan. Some of the formalities are yet to be completed. Once done, his body would be brought back,” Delwar said.
Habibur is survived by his wife, who is a school teacher in Sherpur, and an eight-year-old boy.
Meanwhile, Brac in a condolence message expressed their sorrow at the death of Habibur Rahman and conveyed its sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Habib’s untimely death is an irreparable loss for Brac, said the statement adding that the organisation would provide full support to Habibur’s family members.
Brac is currently working with the country office in South Sudan to provide support in conducting a thorough investigation and bringing Habib’s body to Bangladesh as soon as possible, it said.
