Md. Habib

Md. Habib was a private car driver by profession. He was the son of Md. Shafiullah of Char Mollajir (Chatal Bazar) village in Dhaligar Nagar Union of Lalmohan Upazila, Bhola District. Due to lack of land in the area, he moved to Dhaka with a large family of six members. He lived in a rented house in the Paterbag Water Pump area of Kadamtali Thana, Dhaka. He could drive many types of vehicles. Since he did not have his own personal car, he used to drive CNGs, private cars, and sometimes trucks of different owners at different times, and he was managing his family by doing other work that came his way.

Context of Martyrdom
According to the martyr's eldest daughter, Fatema Akhtar, her father had been involved in the nationwide anti-discrimination student movement since it began in July 2024. He concealed his involvement from his family by saying he was in the Jatrabari area. Fatema Akhtar described her father as a physically and mentally strong person. On the day of the incident, July 20th, her father and some of his friends went to the Shani Akhra area of Jatrabari to observe the plight of the protesting students and provide them with food. They collected money from people in the area and started cooking khichuri. During the cooking, a chase ensued between the police and the students.
When the police chased the students to their cooking area, her father and his friends moved to a safe place. After a while, they thought the police had left and returned to the cooking area, unaware that the police were still present. The police then shot her father at approximately 2:30 PM. A bullet pierced his right side, below the chest, and exited. He fell to the ground and lay there for a while as the police were still present. When the police left, people from the area went to him.
At this time, her father repeatedly asked them to save him, saying he had young children at home. People from the area took him to Desh Bangla Hospital, but the hospital refused to treat him due to the risk of angering the authorities. They then took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was still alive. He died at approximately 3:30 PM in the emergency unit. Fatema Akhtar, her brother, and her mother arrived at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and found him dead in the emergency room.
According to Fatema Akhtar, the scene was horrifying. There were many police and army personnel outside the emergency department, intimidating them. When they asked to take the body, the hospital authorities asked them to bring a written application from the local police station's OC. Her mother and brother went to the Jatrabari police station, but the area was chaotic due to clashes between students and the police. They somehow entered the police station, but the police officers inside threatened them and refused to give the written application. They even threatened to shoot her brother inside the police station. The family members returned to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and narrated the incident to the hospital authorities. The hospital authorities insisted on the written application and asked them to return to the police station. They went back to the police station and pleaded with the police officers, eventually obtaining the written application. They rushed back to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and the hospital authorities handed over the body. By this time, it was evening on July 21st, and the body had deteriorated. Fatema Akhtar said the body was emitting a foul odor. They tried to take the body to their village in Bhola but failed. They were forced to quickly perform the bathing, shrouding, and funeral and buried him in Jurain Graveyard.
Comments from Close Relatives about the Martyr
Habib's uncle said, "Habib's parents are not alive. He has no land or house in the area. He lived in Dhaka with his family."
Habib's eldest daughter, college student Fatema Akhtar, said, "Why did they make us orphans by shooting my helpless father? What will happen to us now?" She added, "Her father was poor, but he never let them realize it. He worked very hard but never let them feel his hardship. He treated his daughters like queens. No matter what, he would bring them something to eat on his way home. He had many dreams for them. His family was his whole world. And they lost that father who would never bring them food again. She also said that her mother is so worried about the future of their family and younger siblings that she cannot sleep at night. And her younger sister still stands by the main door frame, waiting for her father to come home. But her innocent mind does not know that her wait will never end! Her father will never come home this way again."
Habib's only son, Hafez Md. Jihad (17), said angrily, "My father was not at fault, he was never involved in any politics. He ran our family by driving various vehicles. My father's focus was on our mother, three sisters, and one brother. But why was my hardworking father shot dead?" Jihad also said, "We are now seeing darkness after losing our father. My elder sister is taking the HSC exam. Five subject exams have been completed. My father could not fulfill his dream. I have two younger sisters. I cannot afford my education with the little I earn. My mother cannot sleep at night thinking about us."
Details of the Martyr's Family's Financial Condition
According to Habib's eldest daughter, Fatema Akhtar, they have some land in their village, but others have occupied it. They do not have any property in their possession now. There is little chance of recovering it. Her father worked as a driver in Dhaka. Since he did not own a car, he drove cars of different owners on rent. Sometimes, when his owner sold the car, he became unemployed and remained jobless for a long time. During her (Fatema Akhtar's) HSC exam, her father was struggling to run the family, so he put her brother Hafez Rihat to work in a factory to help the family. She also did two tuitions, and the two siblings tried to support the family. And in the meantime, this terrible incident happened.
The martyr's family needs financial and other assistance. The following proposals are presented regarding assistance to the martyr's family:
1. The martyr's family urgently needs housing, so it will be helpful to provide them with permanent housing.
2. One-time financial assistance can be provided to the martyr's family so that the family can support themselves currently.
3. A permanent job should be arranged for the martyr's eldest daughter, Fatema Akhtar, so that she can support her family and take good care of her mother and younger siblings, and fulfill her father's dream.
4. Since the martyr's son is a Hafez of the Holy Quran, a permanent job can be arranged for him in a religious institution suitable for him, and his younger sisters' education can be arranged at full government expense.
5. Since the martyr's second daughter is somewhat physically challenged, proper treatment should be arranged for her under full government expense.
Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name : Md. Habib
Father : Late Md. Shafiullah
Mother : Late Asia Khatun
Permanent Address : Village: Char Mollaji (Chatal Bazar), Union: Dholigar Nagar, Thana: Lalmohan, District: Bhola
Current Address : Area: Dakshin Donia, Pater Bag, Area: Pater Bag, Water Pump, Thana: Kadamtali
District: Dhaka
Place of Incident : Jatrabari Shani Akhra
Assailant/Killer : Police and Chhatra League of the autocratic government
Time of Injury : July 20, 2024, 2:30 PM
Date and Time of Death : July 20, 2024, 3:30 PM
Martyr's Grave Location : Jurain Graveyard, Dhaka
Total Family Members : 6
1. Wife: Name : Ayesha Begum, Occupation: Homemaker
2. Eldest Daughter : Name: Fatema Akhtar, Age: 20, Education: HSC, Kamalapur Sher-e-Bangla College
3. Son: Name : Hafez Md. Rihad Hossain, Age: 17
4. Second Daughter : Name: Habiba Islam Kulsum, Age: 7, Education: Playgroup
5. Youngest Daughter : Name: Humaira Islam Ayat, Age: One and a half years