Rampura clash: Man shot to death 'while distributing water'

Mohammad Alamgir Sheikh, from Kushtia, moved to the capital two decades ago in search of a livelihood. He worked as a driver for a pharmaceutical company in Rampura, Dhaka, for the past eight years.

On 19 July, when a deadly clash and shooting broke out in Rampur centring the quota reform protest, he was reportedly distributing water bottles to injured demonstrators. According to family members, this was when bullets struck him, resulting in his death at only 36.  

"My son was very good. He went to give water to the injured protesters on the streets. Police shot him three times," said Aleya Khatun, the grieving mother.

While there is no immediate way to verify the allegation, it is certain that the untimely death of the eldest son and the bread-earner has led the whole family into disbelief.

"My son will never return. Who will take care of his wife and children now? We have no home or land. How will we survive? If the government helps us, we might manage to survive," she added.

The salaries Alamgir got from his driving job at the pharmaceutical company were not enough to support his family.

"He used to drive a motorcycle on a ridesharing platform on the side," his wife, Rima Khatun, said.

"How will I feed my children, my in-laws now?"

Alamgir's brother, Azad Huq, claimed his brother had not received any treatment.

"After he was shot, his friends took him to a hospital. But there were no doctors there. Even the bullets were not taken out. My brother was buried with bullets still in his body," he said.

Alamgir's father Ijarul Huq said, "I am an old man. My eldest son was the sole support for everyone.

"There is very little trade in the small shop attached to our home. I am very worried about the family."

Contacted, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Mikhail Islam said, "We are taking care of the affected family members and making a list. Necessary actions will be taken as per government directives."