Ali Hasan, a ninth-grade madrasa student from Satkhira, lost his right leg during a violent crackdown on student-led protests calling for the resignation of Sheikh Hasina's government. Despite the life-altering injury, Ali remains resolute in his determination to pursue his dream of becoming a computer engineer.
“We fought against discrimination to build a new Bangladesh. In the struggle to free the country from dictatorship, I lost a leg. I have no sorrow for that. Three people were shot dead in front of me. I survived, and that is more than enough,” the student of ABS Fazil Madrasah in Pratapnagar, Assasuni, Satkhira, told Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday from the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in Dhaka.
He is one of 70 injured in recent student-led protests receiving treatment at the hospital commonly known as Pongu Hospital.
On August 5, Ali joined a protest march in Assasuni demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government.
When the police and Awami League activists opened fire on the protesters, a bullet hit his right leg, tearing his tendons.
His classmates rushed him to Assasuni Upazila Health Complex, where he received initial treatment before being transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital. As his condition worsened, his family took him to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases on August 6. The doctors there advised transferring him to NITOR, where he was eventually admitted.
Ali’s right leg was amputated on the night of August 11. Due to excessive blood loss, he was kept in the ICU for three days before being transferred to the Casualty - II ward after some improvement.
“I was at the front of the line [at the march]. The police started shooting rubber bullets at us and ordered us to retreat. But we kept advancing. Then they began firing birdshot. As we kept moving forward, the police opened fire with live bullets. At one point, a bullet struck my right leg above the knee, and I collapsed. In front of me, three people were shot dead by the police.
“I was hit by nine bullets, but by Allah's mercy, I survived. When I fell, one of my friends tried to help me, but the police shot him too. Later, more people came and took me to the hospital. I received three bags of blood transfusion. Shortly after reaching the hospital, I lost consciousness. Later, I learned that my tendons had been severed,” Ali told this correspondent recalling the events of that day.
“As my condition worsened, I was transferred to several hospitals before being brought to NITOR. The doctors tried to reattach my tendons but failed. They said they would have to amputate my leg. My parents were crying, but I reassured them, telling them that I was not dying and that I would still live. Many people had died during the protests. I then told the doctors to go ahead and amputate my leg.”
Looking towards the future, Ali admitted that the road ahead would be difficult as he was worried about how he would live without a leg.
“But challenges will come in life, and I will have to overcome them. I want to pursue my dream. I want to become a computer engineer when I grow up,” he said resolutely.
Ali said he had applied for a prosthetic leg. “If I can get it, maybe I will be able to move around a little better.”
He urged the government to support those like him who had lost hands, legs or eyes in fulfilling their dreams.
He, however, said he did not want any special treatment or pity just because he was disabled. “I want rehabilitation based on my qualifications.”
Ali Hasan's uncle, Fazlur Rahman, who is staying with him at the hospital, expressed deep concern about his nephew’s future.
“His leg had to be amputated because of the bullet wound. Now, we are unsure if he will be able to continue his studies. We seek urgent help from the interim government,” Fazlur said.
