A sixth-grade student who was shot in Bogra during a victory march on August 5 after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster has succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka.
Junaid Islam Ratul, 15, a student of PATH Public School in Bogra, died on Monday morning at the trauma center of the institute, his father, Ziaur Rahman, confirmed.
The news of Ratul's death brought immense grief to his family and the entire area, with relatives crying and the whole neighbourhood in mourning.
On August 5, as news spread of Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure from the country, a victory march took place in Bogra, similar to other parts of the country.
According to sources, Ratul joined the march with his older sister, Zerin, and brother-in-law, Amir Hamza. As the procession reached the Jhautola area of the town, some protesters attacked Bogra Sadar police station. During the ensuing police gunfire, Ratul was critically injured. Four pellet shots hit Ratul in the head, one of which entered through his left eye and lodged in his head. He also had multiple gunshot wounds in other parts of his body.
In a bloodied and unconscious state, Ratul was first taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra. Due to the severity of his condition, doctors referred him to the National Institute of Neurosciences in Dhaka.
Upon admission, Ratul underwent surgery, where doctors removed a bullet from his brain after cutting open a part of his skull. X-rays revealed that there were over a hundred pellets in his head, eyes and other parts of his body. Thirty-six of these were removed.
Afterwards, he was placed in the ICU. Once his condition improved slightly, Ratul was moved to a ward bed a few days ago. Doctors had warned that even if he survived, he might lose his vision.
Ziaur said his son had been doing well for the past few days, talking and eating.
However, his condition suddenly deteriorated around 4am on Sunday, and he passed away at 6am the next day.
He said he had spent approximately Tk5 lakh of his own money and some donated by well-wishers, but his could not be saved.
Ziaur added that a funeral prayer would be held at the Central Shaheed Minar after Zuhr prayers. He said the body would then be brought to their home in Bogra.
After another funeral prayer, Ratul would be buried at Namazgarh graveyard, Ziaur said.
