Md. Masum Billah

Shaheed Md. Masum Billah was born on October 7, 1996, in Naluapara village, Durgapur, Netrokona. His father is Md. Saiful Islam, and his mother is Murshida Khatun. Masum enrolled in a Madrasa for education in his childhood, but due to poverty, he couldn't study further. To earn a living, he worked as a mason in Mawna, Gazipur. He was the sole breadwinner of his family. Martyr Md. Masum Billah participated in the anti-discrimination student and public movement on Monday, August 5th. During the movement, he was shot by killer police in the Mawna area of Gazipur. Later, locals took him to Valuka Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Upon receiving the news of his death, relatives took the body to his village home in Naluapara village, Durgapur Upazila, Netrokona, that night. The next day, Tuesday, August 6th, at 11 am, after the funeral prayers, he was buried in the local graveyard.
Context of Martyrdom
Shaheed Md. Masum Billah himself couldn't study much. However, he kept himself informed about the overall situation of the country. When the anti-discrimination student movement started nationwide, he participated in it. Masum was the only working member of his family, with no land. He placed his beloved motherland, Bangladesh, above his beloved wife and family. Therefore, leaving all attachments behind, he dragged his tired body from the day's work to the movement field. After working in Mawna, Gazipur, he participated in the movement's programs.
August 5th was a Monday. Masum was in the movement field all day. Around 3 pm, when the fascist government's killer police started firing indiscriminately on the people, Masum was seriously injured by two bullets fired by the police. One bullet hit him directly in the chest, and the other hit his leg. Student and public rescuers took him from the scene to Valuka Upazila Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Reactions of the Martyr's Relatives
The martyr's death has created a wave of mourning in the family, among relatives, and throughout the area. The martyr's wife is in a state of shock after losing her husband. The martyr's sisters are lamenting. After his death, the martyr's father wanders around the graveyard every night. Aminul Islam, a neighbor of the martyr, said, "Masum Billah, being the sole earner of the family, mostly stayed in Gazipur. He worked as a mason there. He used to come home occasionally. As long as he stayed in the area, he tried to live in harmony with everyone and took care of his family."
Murshida Akter, the martyr's mother, said, "They killed my son. How will I live? The banyan tree over my head has been removed. Now there is no one left to look after us. We could not eat good or bad. Please bring justice to those who killed my son, and pray for my father."
Special Information About the Martyr's Family
Although Shaheed Md. Masum Billah worked in Mawna, his entire family lives in the village home. Among five sisters and one brother, Shaheed Masum was the second. Sisters Suraiya Khatun, Halima Khatun, Sumaiya Akter, and Saida Akter are married, and Sanjida Akter is unmarried. The elderly father used to work in agriculture on other people's land but can no longer do so. As there are no children in the martyr's family, his wife has returned to her father's house.
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name : Md. Masum Billah
Father : Md. Saiful Islam (59)
Mother : Murshida Khatun (50)
Date of Birth : October 7, 1996
Permanent
and Current Address : Village: Naluapara, Union: 2 No. Durgapur, Thana: Durgapur, District: Netrokona
Place of Injury : Mawna, Gazipur
Time of Injury : August 5, 2024, 3:00 PM
Time and Place of
Martyrdom : On the spot
Attacker : Killer police of the autocratic Hasina government
Martyr's Graveyard : Naluapara, 2 No. Durgapur, Netrokona
Actions to be Taken for the Martyr's Family
1. Provide one-time financial assistance to the martyr's family.
2. Provide monthly financial assistance to the martyr's parents.