Sohan Shah

Martyr’s Profile
Sohan Shaha was an ordinary man — but today, he is remembered as an extraordinary name. A garment worker turned martyr, this young man was a well-known face in Chandikhali village under Shreepur Upazila of Magura District. His small family—father Sekendar Shaha, mother Sufia Begum, and wife Shampa Khatun—was the very center of his world.
A Garment Worker, A Family’s Dream, A Silent Protest
Born on a misty morning on 13 November 1997, Sohan came into a rural farming family. Despite being raised in poverty, he dreamed of overcoming hardship and building a better life. He studied up to Dakhil (Islamic secondary level) but eventually dropped out under the crushing weight of poverty. Forced to abandon his books, he came to Dhaka to find work.
He found employment at Vargo Garments in Rampura as a sewing machine operator. His days passed in the hum of the sewing floor, and his nights in a small rented room in Rampura with his wife. He was the elder of two brothers. Every weekly day off was spent calling his mother back in the village—her voice carrying both love and longing. "How much longer will this go on?" was the unspoken question that lingered.
Economic Background
Sohan’s income was the lifeline for his entire family. His father was elderly and unable to work. His mother was ill and dependent on regular medication, often bought on borrowed money. Occasionally, his wife Shampa Khatun would smile in a new sari, a rare gift from Sohan’s meager salary. But near the end of every month, they would ration food, counting rice and lentils.
Participation in the Movement
Sohan was never involved in politics. He had never participated in any protest or movement. But on 19 July 2024, he happened to witness a student-led anti-discrimination rally in Rampura. After finishing his shift at the garment factory, he paused on his way home, drawn to the energy of the protest. He joined the crowd, chanting slogans—not as a politician, but as a citizen.
Who knew that a simple act of protest would lead to his untimely death?
The Context of July–August 2024
The summer of 2024 was filled with unrest. Dhaka’s streets burned with the anger of students and citizens alike. Police forces fired tear gas and bullets indiscriminately. Sohan’s death was yet another blood-stained chapter in that brutal narrative.
How He Was Martyred
On 19 July 2024, the streets of Rampura erupted in chaos. Chants turned into clashes. Police opened fire. A bullet pierced Sohan’s chest—just beside his heart. He collapsed on the street. He was rushed to the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH). On 23 August 2024, he was transferred to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for further treatment. Doctors decided on surgery. After over a month of struggling between life and death, Sohan passed away due to excessive bleeding following surgery on the evening of 27 August 2024.
A Martyr in Silence, Killed Without Cause
Sohan was martyred quietly, without a crime, by a single bullet. His story raises a haunting question: Who bears the responsibility for this death?
Testimony from Loved Ones
Sohan’s brother-in-law, Shafiqul Islam Labu, said, “He wasn’t into politics. He just worked at a garments factory. One bullet ended everything. After his death, it’s like we’ve lost the very path to survival.”
Economic Recommendations
Sohan Shaha’s death was not just the loss of a laborer; it thrust an entire family into the shadows of uncertainty. His wife, Shampa Khatun, is now alone. Childless, she stares into an empty future. Long-term financial support, housing, and employment assistance for this grieving family are crucial.
At a Glance: Martyr Profile
• Name: Sohan Shaha
• Educational Qualification: Dakhil (Islamic Secondary)
• Profession: Garment Worker (Vargo Garments, Rampura, Dhaka)
• Date of Birth: 13 November 1997
• Birthplace: Shreepur Upazila, Magura District
• Father: Sekendar Shaha(Elderly)
• Mother: Sufia Begum (Housewife)
• Wife: Shampa Khatun
• Injury Date: 19 July 2024, Location: Rampura, Dhaka
• Treatment Received:
1. National Institute of Chest Diseases
2. Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka
• Date of Martyrdom: 27 August 2024, Evening
• Assailant: Police
• Nature of Injury: Gunshot wound near the heart