Five Years Into Netrakona JMB Bombing
<i>None came to share pain of the families of victims</i>
December 8 is 'Netrakona Tragedy Day'.
On this day in 2005 nine people were killed and over 50 others injured in a suicide bombing by Islamist outfit JMB in front of Udichi office at Azahor Road in the town.
Three people killed on the spot are Khwaza Haider, 38, joint secretary of Netrakona Udichi, Rani Begum, 35, wife of a police sub-inspector and beggar Joinal, 55.
Six others who succumbed to their injuries on way to or at hospital here and in Mymensingh are Yadob Das, 28, Rais Uddin, 35, Ashab Uddin, 40, Jahanara Begum, 45, Sudipta Paul Shelly, organising secretary of Netrakona Udichi, 28, and the unidentified bomber.
But five years into the incident, neither the families of the victims got compensation nor any government official visited them.
During a visit to the house of Shahanaj Begum, 30, wife of Khwaza Haider, this correspondent came to know that her family did not get any monitary help from the government.
"No minister, even the Netrakona deputy commissioner (DC) did not visit my house," she said.
Shahanaj, mother of two children--Shiplu, 16, and Shaon, 8, maintains a family of four including her mother-in-law.
"We have become simply helpless after the death of Haider as he was the only earning member of the family," she said.
In reply to a question she said, "I do not feel like seeking any help from the government because of its failure to punish the culprits involved with the killing."
Udichi leader Sudipta Paul was the lone earning member of her family. After her death, her old parents Sushil Paul, 68, and Aruna Paul, 58, along with her 'sick' brother have also become totally helpless. All of them live at a rented house. They also did not get any help from the government.
During a visit this correspondent found Aruna Paul suffering from a serious disease but unable to buy medicine for lack of money.
This correspondent also visited the houses of other victims -- Rani Begum, Joinal, Raisuddin, Yadav Das and Jahanara and talked to their family members. All of them told similar tales.
On 17 February, 2008 Speedy Tribunal Court-2 Dhaka sentenced three JMB bombers to death for involvement with Netrakona blast. They are Salah Uddin, Ashaduzzaman and Yunus. But the verdict is yet to be executed. On the other hand, police failed to arrest bomber Yunus till today, said Golam Mohammad Khan Pathan Bimol, public prosecutor of Netrakona Judge Court.
Netrakona Udichi Shilpi Gusti has taken up various programmes including a protest procession and a discussion meeting to observe the day.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments