Nearly two years have passed since Wasim Akram, a Chhatra Dal leader, was killed in Chattogram during the July 2024 uprising. His family has gradually overcome their grief and received support from both government and private sources. However, their frustration remains that justice for his killing has yet to be delivered.
The death of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, on 16 July 2024 shook the nation. On the same day, Wasim was killed in Chattogram. His home was in Murar Para village of Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The second of three siblings — two brothers and a sister — Wasim was a fourth-year honours student in the Department of Sociology at Chattogram College. By now, he could have completed his studies. He was also a member of the convening committee of Chattogram College Chhatra Dal.
Wasim’s father Shafiul Alam told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Through a fair investigation, the killers of my son should be identified and given the highest punishment. No innocent person should be implicated in the case.”
The news of his son’s death had left Shafiul devastated. He spent much of his time beside Wasim’s grave and became deeply worried about the family’s future. However, he has now returned to normal life. With support from the government and political parties, the family’s financial difficulties have eased.
“I cultivate my farmland and run a shrimp farm on 12 acres of land. Although the farm suffered losses last year, I hope to make a profit this year if Allah wills,” Shafiul said.
Shortly before Wasim’s death, his father had sent his elder son Ashik Ali to Saudi Arabia. He has since returned and got married, although he does not have a fixed profession.
Recently, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed visited Wasim’s grave and assured him of providing a job.
What the family received
After the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024, the interim government and various political parties provided significant financial assistance to Wasim’s family. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also provided the family with a savings certificate worth Tk20 lakh.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan said the family receives a monthly allowance of Tk20,000 as a July martyr family.
Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Islam said a road had been constructed to improve access to Wasim’s home and that a small mosque had also been built beside the house.
However, Shafiul said the government assistance was not enough to support the family. He has applied to the district administration for 20 chairs for tourists at Cox’s Bazar sea beach and permission to run a fish fry shop.
Shafiul also alleged that local BNP leaders have not maintained contact with his family. He claimed that during the last Eid-ul-Fitr, a large motorcycle procession arrived but provided only Tk4,000 in assistance.
Responding to the allegation, Pekua Upazila BNP General Secretary M Eakbal Hossain said, “The family has received crores of taka. They are receiving financial assistance in one form or another every month. If they are still not satisfied, what can be done?”
Saying that he had taken the Tk4,000 government aid during Eid, the BNP leader said, “Later, I learned that the family had made very negative comments about us.”
How Wasim was killed
On 16 July 2024, during protests over government job quotas, a clash broke out between police, Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League activists and protesting students near the Muradpur flyover in Chattogram city. At one stage, Wasim Akram was stabbed. He was declared dead after being taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Sixteen hours before his death, Wasim announced his support for the protesting students on his Facebook page. In the post, he also expressed his willingness to make sacrifices for the movement. Wasim was buried at his ancestral home in Cox’s Bazar on 17 July.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Cox’s Bazar on 13 June this year and paid respects at Wasim’s grave. He also spoke with members of the late leader’s family and provided them with a Tk20 lakh savings certificate.
