Liton Mia never thought his eyesight would be damaged in mindless political violence but that is exactly the harsh reality he now has to face.
It is better to die rather than to be alive if I cannot see, said the trucker yesterday, who lost his left eye after receiving splinter injuries in a crude bomb attack during the ongoing blockade on Wednesday.
He was transporting stones to Magura from Sunamganj but came under attack at Shibganj in Chapainawabganj.
He is now undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Eye Science and Hospital where doctors are trying to save his right eye, which was also badly injured.
“I am from a very poor family and I do not know how I will make a living now,” said Liton.
Liton, who hails from Dohokhola village in Jhenaidah, is the breadwinner in his four-member family, which consists of his sons Badhan, 12, and Kakon, 5, and wife Sweety. He also needs to look after his mother and two younger brothers.
Liton’s brother Milon Mia told the Dhaka Tribune he was very concerned about the condition of his brother.
“What will happen if my brother loses his other eye is unthinkable. We are already struggling to pay medical bills. We appeal to the government for financial assistance in this terrible time,” he added.
Eighteen-year-old Minhazul Islam Ovi is also being treated at the hospital as he was injured in a bomb attack on Wednesday.
Ovi, a higher secondary student at Kabi Nazrul Government College, was returning home in the capital’s Dholaikhal but a blast in Bangshal around 7:30pm left both of his eyes seriously injured.
Delowar Hossain, father of the victim, runs the family by selling eggs and vegetables.
Ovi’s mother Nurjahan Begum who was sitting on the hospital bed near her son told the Dhaka Tribune: “My son dreamt of becoming a barrister to enable him to earn a lot of money but now only Allah knows what will happen to him.”
Dr Anisuzzaman, a doctor of the hospital, said nothing could be said about Ovi’s eyes before performing a procedure. “We are trying our best.”
Minhazul Islam Anik was lying in the bed next to Ovi with injuries in his right eye.
The 15-year-old is a SSC candidate at Feni Government Pilot High School but he might not be able to take the tests as doctors fear splinter injuries might cause permanent damage to one of his eyes.
He received injuries while returning home after attending classes at a private coaching centre at Mastarpara in Feni on January 5.
His mother Jesmin Rahman said her only pray to God was to save both of her son’s eyes.
Abdul Kader, a magistrate of the 30th BCS batch, was lying on a bed in the VIP cabin on the hospital’s fifth floor, with injuries in both his eyes.
The 30-year-old was injured in a crude bomb blast near SSK Road in Feni while on his way to Mohipal to join a BGB team for discharging duties during the blockade on January 9. He was accompanied by two other magistrates - Shiabuddin Ahmed and Rashedur Rahman – who remained unhurt.
Doctors said both of Kader’s eyes were seriously injured.
An eight-member medical board with Professor Dr Golam Mostofa as the chief is treating Kader.
Dr Md Saifullah, an associate professor at the hospital, says doctors were trying to save Kader’s eyes.
Kader hails from Shairatpur and is the third son of Nur Mohammad Mallik.
Mallik told the Dhaka Tribune he was planning Kader’s wedding but destiny had changed everything.
