Five years ago, Mainul Khan’s home was swallowed by the river. With nowhere else to turn, he built a small house on someone else’s land and started running a tea shop to support his family in Dudhal union, Bakerganj upazila, Barishal.
Despite their hardships, Mainul ensured his elder son, Taibur Rahman, continued his education. After Taibur secured good results in his SSC exams, he was admitted to Islamia College in Barishal city. But on 4 August, everything changed.
“I’m a science student, and was an HSC examinee,” Taibur recalled. “Suddenly, protests erupted across the country. At first, I didn’t know what to do. But when I saw many of my classmates injured and heard that people were dying in Dhaka, I couldn’t stay at home. So, I joined the movement.”
On 4 August, leaders and activists of the then ruling party clashed with protestors. “We marched in a procession towards Bottola via Syed Hatem Ali College Chowmatha. As I reached the Forrester Bari area, I came under a gunfire attack from the opposite direction,” Taibur said.
After being shot, Taibur’s treatment began using the money his father had saved from the tea shop’s earnings. “Two pellets were extracted from my head at Lebukhali cantonment hospital, but there are still five more in my head and seven or eight on my back. My treatment stopped, my study stopped. I am currently staying at my aunt’s house in Dhaka’s Jatrabari,” Taibur explained his situation.
“I’ve heard that many people are receiving government assistance for treatment, but no one has inquired about me,” he said. “My father did as much as he could, but now he’s destitute.”
He added, “Since the movement ended, I haven’t seen the faces of those I stood with. It’s a bit disheartening that no one has reached out to me since then, but I don’t dwell on it because I joined the movement for the greater good of the country. I stood with the revolutionary students then, and I will be there again if needed.”
Despite the challenges, Taibur expressed no regret. “I hear others have received help, but I don’t expect it. I just want people to know that I was part of the movement and did my part for the country,” he added.
Taibur, who attended Islamia College after achieving a GPA of 4 from Dudhal Adarsh Secondary School, is awaiting HSC results and eager to prepare for university admission, but his health doesn’t allow him to focus. He sometimes visited the outdoor facilities of government hospitals, but his recovery requires the removal of the pellets, which involves a financial burden.
His mother, Taslima Begum, shared her anguish with TBS, saying, “Taibur hasn’t recovered yet. He’s sick in Dhaka, and we couldn’t arrange any further treatment. No one has even visited him for a single day.”
She appealed to the interim government, pleading that her son’s academic life should not be cut short and that his treatment should be arranged. “We’ve spent everything from the shop on his treatment. Now we’re living in poverty.”
Mainul echoed her plea. “My son was shot all over his body during the protests. Since 4 August, neither the government nor anyone else has visited us even once. We don’t know how his treatment will continue or if his education can go on. Meanwhile, my shop is one the verge of getting closed.”
Fighting back tears, Mainul added, “Our family is in complete disarray. I appeal to the government to at least provide treatment for my son and ensure his studies.”
Barishal Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahabub Ullah Majumdar told TBS that a list of martyrs from the protests has been prepared, but no allocation or instructions have come from the government to help the injured.
“If the injured are not treated, I will request them to apply. Social services or other funds will be used to assist promptly,” he added.
