“Dhaka, Bangladesh – On July 19, in the early afternoon, four-year-old Abdul Ahad was playing on the balcony of his family’s rented apartment in Rayerbag neighbourhood when he noticed a commotion on the street. Abdul, a lively and inquisitive child, called out to his father, Abul Hasan, to come and see what was happening. Abul and his wife, Sumi Akhter, joined Abdul on the balcony to see a group of young people throwing stones at another group on the street below. The street, usually bustling with activity, was quieter than usual due to a curfew imposed that day following protests and clashes in the area.
Abul, recalling the events, mentioned that he could not see clearly what was happening on the street from their eighth-floor apartment. There was no police presence in sight, and tensions were high as clashes between the two groups escalated. Abdul, excitedly watching the scene unfold, suddenly fell to the ground after a bullet hit him in the right eye. His parents rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent immediate surgery and was placed on life support in the ICU.
Tragically, Abdul passed away the following evening, leaving his family devastated. His death has left a void in their home, with his toys scattered around as a painful reminder of their loss. Abdul’s parents are struggling to come to terms with the senseless violence that took their innocent child’s life.
Abul’s story is just one of many heartbreaking accounts of children who lost their lives during the protests in Bangladesh. The unrest, which led to numerous casualties, eventually resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The UN has reported over 600 deaths in connection with the protests, with students, bystanders, journalists, and security forces among the victims.
The families of these children, like Abul and Sumi, are left wondering why their loved ones had to die in such tragic circumstances. The lack of accountability and justice for these senseless killings has only added to their grief and pain. Organizations like the Human Rights Support Society are advocating for a thorough investigation into these deaths to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The stories of children like Abdul and 10-year-old Hossein Mia, who was also shot and killed during the protests, highlight the devastating impact of the violence that swept through the country. Their families mourn their loss and seek answers to the question: why did these innocent children have to die?”