Mostafa Zaman Samudra

Today, I sit down to write a remarkable tale — the story of a courageous soldier who was martyred during the fascist movement of July 2024. On 19 July 2024, Mostafa Zaman Samudra was martyred while fighting against fascist aggression. This year, he graduated from the Business Studies Department of Ideal School and College, Dhaka, with a GPA of 4.95.
This young man, who sacrificed his life against fascism, is an inspiration to us all. His life journey is not merely a chapter but a consciousness that teaches us to uphold human values and fight for justice. Among two brothers and one sister, Samudra was the youngest. His elder brother, Morsheduzzaman, holds a PhD and resides in Japan. His sister, Mirana Zaman, lives in Finland with her husband.
From a young age, Samudra dreamed of establishing himself in business within the country and contributing to national development as a successful entrepreneur. Unfortunately, all his dreams were shattered by the atrocities of the Awami hyenas.
Born in 2006 to Moniruzzaman Tajul and Masuda Zaman in Midpara village of Sirajdikhan Upazila, Munshiganj, Samudra’s life was a beacon of hope. The very day after his martyrdom, he was scheduled to enroll at Siddheswari College. Instead, his family had to bring his body back to Munshiganj for burial.
Samudra’s father said, “I had collected the admission form from Siddheswari College. Admission was scheduled for Sunday. But my son passed away on Friday.” Overwhelmed by grief, the martyr’s family left their rented accommodation at the Dhaka Rampura Metropolitan Project’s quarters and returned to their village.
Memorial of Martyrdom
The martyrdom of the son has been described by his father, Mr. Moniruzzaman Tajul. He stated: Since the beginning of the anti-discrimination student movement, Mostafa Zaman actively participated. On the morning of 19 July, he left home with his classmates and went down to DIT Road in Rampura. At 3 PM, after attending Friday prayers, I came home and sat down to eat. Meanwhile, Samudra’s mother stood for prayer. I repeatedly tried to call Samudra on the phone. Eventually, his friend Arafat answered and informed me that Samudra had been shot by the police and was at Delta Hospital. He urged me to come quickly. On that day, Arafat was unable to tell me that my son had died. Leaving the food behind, despite the gunfire on the street, his mother and I hurried to Delta Hospital and saw my son lying on the floor, shot in the ribs and without a shirt.
The doctors informed us that our son was no longer alive. I could not believe the news of my son’s death; I kept shouting, insisting that his heart was still beating and that his body was still warm. Desperately trying to save him, we took him to Better Life Hospital. However, the doctors there also confirmed with certainty that my son was dead. They explained that a bullet had pierced through Samudra’s hand and entered his ribs, causing severe hemorrhaging which led to his death. That same night, we brought him back to our village, held his funeral prayer, and buried him.
The day before, Samudra had returned home wounded by pellet shots on his foot from participating in the movement. On the day of the incident, I had forbidden him from going outside, but he still went out in the morning with his friends to join the protests.
Feelings of the Loved Ones
Despite the grief of losing his son, martyr Samudra’s father, Moniruzzaman Tajul, is still overwhelmed by fear and does not wish for his family to face any further trouble. He said,
"I will not get my son back. We do not want to face any more problems. We have no complaints against anyone. Our beloved son gave his life for the country. We hope his sacrifice will be recognized. We ask the government to grant state honors to all martyrs. My son, Mostafa Zaman Samudra, was a fearless soldier of the anti-discrimination student and people's movement. Samudra gave his life for the country and became a martyr."
He recalled, "During the Great Liberation War, I was in seventh grade. Though I did not witness the war firsthand, I saw 8 to 10 bodies of people shot dead at Dhaka’s Sadarghat. Unable to bear it, I returned to my village. On 19 July, I witnessed another war. I saw a long line of corpses in the hospital including my own son’s. I witnessed the cries of mothers, fathers, and relatives."
Martyr’s Mother, Masuda Zaman, Said:
"Samudra left in the morning saying he would come home after Friday prayers to eat lunch. I prepared the food and waited for him. At 2:25 PM, I called him and asked him to come home to eat. He said he would come in two minutes. The afternoon passed, but Samudra did not come home. The food remained on the table, and I went to pray. While praying, I received a call that Samudra had been shot. With tears in her eyes, this mother still weeps and says, 'My son no longer comes home to eat. I wait for him, but my wait never ends. He has been shot. We do not seek revenge. My son is dead. We will not get him back. What good will seeking justice do?'"
News Link:
1 . https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/quota-protest/news-601091
2. https://reformbangladesh.net/martyrs/‡gv¯Ídv-Rvgvb-mgy`ª/
3. https://andolon.com/martyr/‡gv¯Ídv-Rvgvb-mgy`ª/
4. https://mzamin.com/news.php?news=120661#gsc.tab=0
5. https://www.dainikamadershomoy.com/details/0193ef9b585217
6. https://crimepatrol.news/?tag=‡gv¯Ídv-Rvgvb-Ii‡d-mgy`&
7. https://skhobor.com/news/115114
At a Glance: Information Regarding the Martyr
Name: Mostafa Zaman Samudra
Year of Birth: 2006
Occupation: Student
Institution: Completed SSC from the Business Education Department of Dhaka Ideal School and College; was enrolled to join Siddheswari College
Current and Permanent Address: Village: Madhyapara, Upazila: Sirajdikhan, District: Munshiganj
Father: Moniruzzaman Tajul, Age: 68 years
Mother: Masuda Zaman, Age: 68 years, Occupation: Homemaker
Brother: Morsheduzzaman, currently pursuing PhD in Japan
Sister: Mirana Zaman, residing in Finland with her husband
Date and Time of Injury: 19 July 2024, Friday, approximately 3:30 PM
Place of Incident: Rampura, Badda, Dhaka
Attacker: Ruthless police force (described as "murderous Petua police")
Hospitals where Medical Treatment was Received:
1. Delta Hospital
2. Better Life Hospital, Dhaka
Date and Place of Martyrdom: 19 July 2024, Delta Hospital, Dhaka
Date of Body Handover: 19 July 2024
Location of Martyr’s Burial: Munshiganj
Recommendations:
1. Maintain regular communication with the family.
2. Establish a library at the family home for preserving the memory of the martyr.