The victims of petrol bomb and arson attacks, carried out in the name of an anti-government movement from 2013-15 by BNP-Jamaat men, on Sunday recalled and shared their horrific memories and experiences, terror and agony with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of the country as well.
While sharing their horrific experiences, they burst into tears and demanded punishment for those, who were involved in such types of brutal and heinous acts.
Unfortunately, acts of violence, terrorism, vandalism and even arson attacks are still taking place in the name of politics and anti-government movement.
Whenever the BNP and its allies organize any political programmes, such types of violent acts against the state, its people and properties take place almost frequently.
The ruling Awami League (AL) on Sunday organised an event titled `Woe of fire-terrorism: Partial scenario of BNP-Jamaat's fire-terrorism, anarchy and human rights violation’.
The programme was held at the National Museum in capital’s Shahbagh where the family members of the victims as well as the survivors got chance to tell their stories and demand justice directly from the premier.
At the programmes, diplomats from different countries staying in Dhaka were also present.
The nationwide violence, including arson and petrol bomb attacks, left about 500 innocent people dead and over 3,600 others injured.
Some of the accounts shared by the victims during the event are as follows:
Runi Begum, a resident of Shibchar upazila in Madaripur district and mother of 17-year-old Nahid who died in a petrol bomb attack in Dhaka, said, "My son Nahid was on his way to Dhaka. He was brutally killed. He was burnt to death in a BNP-Jamaat petrol bomb attack.”
"My son could not even be taken to the hospital. I could not even see him when he breathed his last. I could not even see his dead body. Now I don't see and hear properly. I am yet to receive justice for my child. I did not get any compensation from anyone. I want justice for my son. You (PM Hasina) are like my mother, I want you to ensure justice for my child."
Rafiqul Islam, a truck driver who was injured in a petrol bomb attack during an anti-government movement in Dinajpur, said, "I am just a truck driver. I was out with my truck to provide for my children. I was attacked with petrol bombs hurled by BNP-Jamaat men.”
"I want drastic punishment for those who attacked me. Jamaat-e-Islami comes from Pakistan's 'Hanadar Bahini.' I just want prayers for my children from the prime minister."
Maya Begum, widow of slain police constable Jakaria who was beaten to death by BNP men, said, “My husband used to work in Gopalganj. He was on his way to Dhaka's Kachpur for carrying out his duty. He was killed by BNP-Jamaat men on his journey.”
"I want those responsible to be punished. I have a son. I demand that PM Hasina will do something for him and for my medical treatment."
Photojournalist Abu Sayeed Tamanna from Chattogram, who was tortured by BNP men for taking photos of their atrocities”, said, "I was taking photos from a far. They [BNP men] were distributing petrol bombs among themselves. I got chased and then attacked with knives. My head was smashed with bricks. I may look normal, but I am still recovering from that attack.”
"Hurting people in the name of politics is not acceptable. We all are fearing for our lives."
Antu Barua, a student who was attacked on her way to coaching classes and has been suffering from bad eyesight ever since, said, "On 28 March 2013, I was attacked with petrol bombs. My eyes got damaged in the incident. My question stands – What was the fault of children like me?”
"How can hurling petrol bombs be a part of politics? We want a peaceful Bangladesh."
Salauddin Bhuiyan, who was seriously injured in a petrol bomb attack, said, “I had a nice face. Anywhere I went for interviews, I used to get recruited. But everything changed after the attack. I have been socially excluded. I have two sons, a daughter, a wife and an old mother to look after.”
"It has been very difficult to provide for them over the past years. One of my sons is sitting for this year's HSC exam. Please give us jobs. We don't want to see BNP-Jamat in power. They only know how to carry out attack people with petrol bombs," Salauddin said.
"Please hold trial of all involved in the arson attacks in which many people including my husband were killed and numerous others injured," Mafruha Begum urged the Prime Minister while sharing her agony of losing her husband Nuruzzaman Bablu and her 10 grader daughter Maisha in a BNP-Jamaat petrol bomb attack on a passenger bus in Chauddagram of Cumilla on their way back home from Cox's Bazar.
Mafruha Begum, who also suffered severe burn injuries in the petrol bomb attack, she said, "I could not sleep in whole night as I still hear screams of my daughter Maisha and see burning of the buses to ashes.''
Advocate Khudeja Nasreen Akter, currently a lawmaker from the women's reserved seat, who suffered serious burn injuries on the same attack, thanked the Prime Minister for making her a lawmaker and described how she survived the attacks by jumping out of the torching bus and got admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with the help of a rickshaw-puller.
She added that she saw "a complete humanity" in the rickshaw-puller.
Describing the Prime Minister as their guardian, she said, "We all want punishment and trial of the BNP-Jamaat alliance. Souls of the deceased in the BNP-Jamaat arson attack will rest in peace and we who survived the attack will get satisfaction if the trial is completed."
Rafiqul Islam, a truck driver who survived the barbaric petrol bomb attacks of the BNP-Jamaat's terrorists in Dinajpur district and now living with severe burn injuries, described the attacks in an emotion-choked voice and demanded justice.
"I don't care what the BNP-Jamaat alliance thinks about me. I just want trial of Bangabandhu killing and arson attacks in which many people were killed and scores of others injured," he added.
Nasrin Akter, wife of BGB member Shah Alam, Josna Begum, wife of police personnel Bablu Mia, Maya Begum, wife of police constable Zakaria, and Laila Begum, wife of police member Hazrat Ali, described their miseries and questioned why their husbands were killed brutally and what were their crimes as they were only performing their professional duties.
They demanded immediate and exemplary punishment to the culprits and sought help from the premier for their survival.