Md. Shakibul Hasan Saju

Shaheed Saju was the second of three siblings. He easily mingled with people. He respected elders and loved younger ones. Everyone liked this cheerful boy. Shaheed Saju was a Hafiz of 15 paras (sections of the Quran). Due to the family's weak financial condition, he worked in a shop alongside his studies. His elder sister Khukumoni joined the workforce at the young age of 17. They also have a little sister who is 7 years old. This family of five lives in a rented house in Maona, Gazipur, for only Tk 2,200. The family's livelihood depended on the income of his father, sister, and Saju. The tyrannical Sheikh Hasina's forces have taken one of them away. The number of family members has become 4 from 5.
Description of the Incident:
When the anti-discrimination student-people's movement started across the country, Saju could not keep himself confined to his home. Despite strong opposition from his family, he secretly joined the movement. The movement was ongoing every day. The day was August 5th. Without telling anyone, he joined the rally that day as well. The movement was taking place on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. On the afternoon of August 5th, facing the mass uprising, the tyrannical Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. The country was celebrating the people's jubilation. However, in several places, even after the fall of the tyrant, the killer police fired on innocent, unarmed, freedom-seeking people, as if the spirit of the fleeing Hasina had possessed them. One such place was Gazipur. Around 5 PM, the police started firing tear gas and bullets at the celebrating students and people. A bullet hit Shaheed Saju's body. The killer's bullet pierced his small body.
Shaheed Saju's family learned about the incident at 6 PM. Shaheed Saju's father, Md. Khokon Mia, rushed to the scene in despair. He arranged an auto-rickshaw at double the fare. On the way from Sreepur Hospital to Maona, he touched his son's body. Feeling his body completely cold, he knew that his beloved son was no longer with him. Shaheed Saju was only 15 years old. This promising young man was a soldier of the '24 movement. He left behind a testament of his love for the country and its people by sacrificing his life.
Seeing her son's body, his mother, Mosa. Hosna Begum, was speechless. His grandfather, Md. Ashraful Islam, said, "He was good to everyone. He greeted everyone." His question was how anyone could kill such a simple and innocent grandson. The father is grief-stricken after losing his only son. He demands justice for his son's killer.
Shaheed Saju's body was taken to his village home in Noyapara, Mymensingh. After the funeral, he was buried there. A pall of gloom has descended on the area after losing Shaheed Saju. He had a dream of becoming a Hafiz. That dream remained unfulfilled. The locals are also stunned by his death. They demand a proper investigation and justice for this incident.
Recommendations:
1. Housing is needed.
2. It would be helpful if his father could be provided with a business opportunity.
3. Support could be provided to provide the education expenses of his sisters.
4. It is necessary to arrange the marriage of Shaheed's elder sister.
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name: Md. Shakibul Hasan Saju
Date of Birth: 25.12.2009
Place of Birth: Mymensingh
Profession: Student and shop worker
Place of Injury: Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, Maona, Gazipur
Place of Martyrdom: Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, Maona, Gazipur
Type of Injury: Bullet wound
Perpetrator: Police
Date and Time of Injury: August 5, 2024, 5 PM
Date and Time of Martyrdom: August 5, 2024, 5 PM
Permanent Address: Village: Noyapara, Union: Mushuli, Thana: Nandaile, District: Mymensingh
Current Address: Mohalla: Maona, Thana: Sreepur, District: Gazipur
Family Information:
Father: Md. Khokon Mia
Father's Profession and Age: Construction worker, Maona, 45
Mother: Mosa. Hosna Begum
Mother's Profession: Housewife
Monthly Income: Tk 10,000/= (including son's income)
Source of Income: Father, son, and elder daughter
Relationship with the Martyr: Father
Current Number of Family Members: 4
Sister: Khuku Moni
Age and Profession: 17, Garment worker
Sister: Jaoda
Age: 7 years