Grief has overwhelmed the Rangpur home of firefighter Md Sohanur Zaman Noyon, who tragically lost his life after being struck by a truck while responding to a fire at the Dhaka Secretariat.
News of Noyon’s death has cast a shadow of grief over his home in Choron Atpuniya village of Mithapukur Upazila, Rangpur. His mother, Nargis Begum, repeatedly loses consciousness in her sorrow, and the wailing of relatives has made the atmosphere unbearably heavy.
Speaking with family members revealed that Noyon’s father, Akhtaruzzaman, has been unable to speak since hearing of his son's death. Ever since receiving the news on his mobile phone, he has been silent, refusing to talk to anyone.
Brief career, sudden death
Noyon’s elder sister, Seema Akhter, shared that Noyon had been employed for only two years. His primary workplace was the Bishwanath Upazila Fire Service office in Sylhet district. On deputation, he was working with the Tejgaon Fire Service Station in Dhaka. After completing a 21-day training program, he was currently part of a special fire service team.
Late on Wednesday night, after receiving news of the Secretariat fire, Noyon, along with his colleagues, rushed to the scene. While performing his duties, he was struck by a truck, sustaining critical injuries. He was rushed to the hospital, and the family was informed of the incident at around 5am via a phone call from Dhaka. The family kept calling to inquire about his condition, only to learn at 6am that Noyon had succumbed to his injuries.
Noyon’s nephew, Shafiul Islam Shimul, blamed negligence by law enforcement for the tragedy and demanded exemplary punishment for the truck driver responsible.
Noyon’s brother-in-law, Saiful Islam, highlighted the devastating impact on the family, saying that Noyon was the sole breadwinner. The family’s livelihood depended on his salary. To secure his job, the family had sold land, and just days ago, Noyon had taken a bank loan of Tk500,000 from Agrani Bank to repay creditors. Saiful questioned how they would now repay the loan or sustain their household.
Dreams left unfulfilled
Noyon’s mother, Nargis Begum, shared that her son had recently appeared for his degree examination but did not live to see the results. “He used to tell me, ‘Mother, once I pass my degree, I will get a promotion, and our struggles will end.’ But he didn’t even get to see his results. What kind of fate is this?” She demanded the strictest punishment for the truck driver who took her son’s life.
Noyon’s father, Akhtaruzzaman, tearfully said: “Everything is over for us. Why couldn’t it have been me instead of my son? No parent should have to carry their child’s coffin. No one can understand this pain.” He, too, demanded justice for his son’s death.
Residents like Saheb Ali and Mokleshur Rahman said that Noyon was very popular in the area, and his untimely death has plunged the entire village into profound sorrow.
