Md. Shakinur Rahman

Md. Shakinur Rahman's home is in Kishorgari village, Palashbari Thana, Gaibandha District. He worked at Dhaka EPZ alongside his intermediate studies. When the recent anti-discrimination student movement began, Md. Shakinur Rahman joined the movement. On August 5th, Md. Shakinur Rahman died from police gunfire in front of Ashulia Thana, Dhaka, during the anti-discrimination student movement.
Background of Martyrdom
After the 2008 elections, the Awami League began to establish injustice and oppression in Bangladesh. Initially, in 2009, on February 25th and 26th, under the guise of the BDR rebellion, they brutally murdered 74 people, including 57 army officers, in the Pilkhana massacre with India's cooperation. Subsequently, those who witnessed the massacre firsthand were killed one by one. All evidence was destroyed. On January 27th, 2010, four people who overthrew former dictator Sheikh Mujib (leader of the Awami League, the party that caused the 1974 famine by handing over Bangladesh's resources to India in 1971 and through massive looting) through a revolution and liberated the country were unjustly hanged in Dhaka Central Jail. Bazlul Huda was one of the heroes of that revolution. Sheikh Hasina personally stabbed him to death, pressing her foot on his chest. Sheikh Hasina and her vicious organization, the Awami League, understood that to stay in power for long in this country, it was necessary to defeat Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir. The arrest, disappearance, and murder of this party's leaders and activists created a chaotic situation in the country. On December 12th, 2013, Jamaat leader Quader Molla was hanged in a false case.
After that, Kamaruzzaman, Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, and prominent Islamic leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury of the BNP, along with famous scholars and intellectuals, were hanged one by one. Protesting scholars disappeared. People in the country could not even protest on Facebook. Threats, intimidation, and arrests forced a section of students and the public to leave the country. In the country, everyone except the Awami League faced discrimination in all areas. Shakinur Rahman was a conscious person. He realized that as long as the Awami League government remained in this country, there would be no freedom for ordinary people like him. Talented students began protesting the plan to appoint inefficient, unqualified, and party workers to government jobs. The anti-discrimination movement against quotas began. The Awami League, armed with weapons of war, indiscriminately fired, injuring and killing thousands of students and people. On August 5th, unable to withstand the movement, Sheikh Hasina fled the country. Before fleeing, she ordered the police, RAB, Ansar, and BGB, whom her party had appointed, to carry out a genocide. Upon hearing the news of Hasina's escape, Shakinur came out onto the street in joy. Police shot and killed the jubilant Shakinur in front of Ashulia Thana.
Economic Condition and Family Statements
The deceased Shakinur Rahman was the son of Jalim Mia from Kishorgari area, Palashbari Thana, Gaibandha District. He lived with his wife in a rented house at Riaz Uddin's house in Bhadail area of Ashulia and worked in a local garment factory. His elder brother, Adam Ali Sarkar, said, "My brother was killed by police gunfire during the anti-discrimination student movement. We are devastated by the death of the sole breadwinner of our family. He has a wife and a young child. There is no source of income in our family now. Our family used to live on his salary." Md. Shakinur Rahman lost his mother in his childhood.
His family has nine members. Among them, his elder brother became mentally unstable during his studies and now wanders the streets. His middle brother is still studying. His father is elderly, sick, and unable to work. He was the sole caretaker of the family. Shakinur has left behind his wife and a 5-year-old son. His wife is distraught after losing her husband. She is unable to think about what to do with her child. She is uncertain about her child's future due to her husband's death. Her days are spent in various anxieties. Shakinur's brother, Adam Ali Sarkar, further said, "Our family is financially poor and insolvent. Our family used to live on his earnings. With his death, it has become very difficult for us to run our family.
Therefore, I appeal to Dr. Muhammad Yunus Sir, the Chief Advisor of the current interim government, to bestow the title of Shaheed Bir upon my brother and to provide special facilities for his minor orphan son and his family to be under state supervision." Md. Shakinur Rahman's father, Md. Jalim Mia, said, "My son was innocent. What was his crime that the police fired bullets at him in front of Ashulia Thana? He did not do any politics. Seeing the plight of the family, he went to Dhaka and took a job at EPZ. His salary used to support my family. He used to give money for the treatment of my elder son, who is sick all year round. My middle son is still studying. He died, leaving his wife and a minor orphan son with me. I am an old man. I am very helpless now because my financial condition is not good.
Therefore, I am completely unable to run my family. I am now helpless due to my son's death. I don't know where to go or whom to turn to. I demand an investigation into my son's death and that the culprits be brought to justice." Locals have said that Shakinur was simple and straightforward since childhood. He had a deep relationship with his neighbors and the people of the area. He respected the elderly people of the area very much. He had a loving relationship with young children. No one, young or old, in the area can accept his death. They demand that there be proper justice for his murder. He took on the responsibility of the family at a young age. His wife and 5-year-old child are at home. If the interim government and local wealthy people, who are responsible for the country, provide assistance to the bewildered father and sisters, the family's suffering will be reduced significantly.
Wife's Case
On August 19th at 10 pm, Mosha. Sharmin Akter, the wife of Sakinur Rahman, who was killed in the anti-discrimination student movement, filed a case against 158 people. Notable accused in the Sakinur murder case include: Parvez Dewan (61), Chairman of Pathalia Union, Ashulia; Suman Bhuiya (38), Chairman of Yarpur Union; Shahab Uddin Madbar (58), Chairman of Ashulia Union; Kabir Sarkar (40), Convener of Ashulia Thana Jubo League; Awami League leaders Manju Dewan (58), Moazzem Hossain (50), Motaleb Bepari (55), Latif Mondal (57), Enamul Haque Munshi (50), Motiur Rahman Moti (52), Sadek Bhuiya (57), Nurul Amin Mondal (52), Aminul Islam (48), Baharuddin (47), A. Kader Munshi (59), Aminul Islam Khan (37), Lutfar Rahman Joy (36), Momtaz Uddin Member (50), Jafar Ali (55), Shahadat Hossain Khan (55), Moinul Islam Bhuiya (40), Shah Alam Master (52), Nadim (35), Raham Ali (45), Said (55), Shakil (40), Sheikh Ujjal (49), Shafiq Madbar (36), Saiful Shikdar (38), Zakir Hossain (50), Delowar Bhuiya (40), Monir Bhuiya (38), Akijul (40), Anwar Hossain (40), and 158 others. The number of unnamed accused was not mentioned in the case.
Personal Information Related to the Martyr at a Glance
Name : Md. Shakinur Rahman
Father : Ibne Saeed Mondal (Jalim Mia)
Wife : Mst. Sharmin Akter
Children : 1. a 5-year-old son
Current Address : District: Gaibandha, Upazila: Palashbari, Village: Kishorgari
Permanent Address : District: Gaibandha, Upazila: Palashbari, Village: Kishorgari
Date of Martyrdom : August 5th, 2024, Time: 10:00 PM
Place : Ashulia Thana, EPZ, Dhaka
Assailant : Police
Recommendations
1. Provide monthly and one-time assistance.
2. Arrange employment for his wife and brothers.