Schoolboy Ratul, shot by police on August 5, dies

Schoolboy Junaid Islam Ratul, shot by police during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, has died after being in hospital care for one and a half months.

Ratul passed away early on Monday at the Neuroscience Hospital in Dhaka, confirms his father Ziaur Rahman.

Ratul was shot in the neighbourhood of Barogola in Bogura on Aug 5 evening. He was a sixth grader at Path Public School in Bogura.

“Ratul took part in the protests staged by the students and the public since that morning. A procession was moving towards Bogura Sadar Police Station. Police opened fire indiscriminately and Ratul was shot multiple times in the head and other parts of the body,” Ziaur said.

“He was admitted to the Neuroscience Hospital in the capital as his condition deteriorated. He died after one and a half months under hospital care.”

Ratul’s mortal remains have been taken to the Central Shaheed Minar premises for a funeral service. After the prayers, he will be taken to his home in Bogura’s Hakir Mor. He will be laid to rest following another funeral prayer there.

Ratul’s father said he would think about filing a case after Ratul’s burial once he speaks with his family. ”I have paid for his treatment and my family and friends also helped. The government has helped financially as well,” he said.

“A school student of Bogura was shot in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and was under treatment in Dhaka. I’m not aware if he has died. I’ll inquire about it and let you know,” said AKM Moinuddin, chief of Bogura Sadar Police Station.