The Tragic Toll: 67 Children Killed Amidst Protests in Bangladesh

In the wake of the quota reform movement and the call for the resignation of the Awami League government, Bangladesh witnessed a wave of violence that claimed the lives of at least 67 children and teenagers. Law enforcement's response to the widespread protests led to deaths, with 57 of these young victims bearing gunshot wounds. Tragically, nine others died from burns, and one fell victim to the blast of a sound grenade.

Many of these children and teenagers were killed while participating in the protests, crossing streets, or even while at home. Among the dead, 40 were from Dhaka and its surrounding areas, with 27 others from outside the capital.

First Child Casualty

The first reported deaths during the protests occurred on July 16, when six people were killed. The first child fatality was recorded on July 18. Between that date and August 4, at least 40 children and teenagers lost their lives. Another 27 young victims were reported between August 5 and August 11, leaving a heart-wrenching total of 67 children and teenagers dead.

According to Prothom Alo, a staggering 624 people were reported dead between July 16 and August 16. A report by the United Nations Human Rights Office indicated that, in just 26 days, at least 650 people lost their lives during the protests and the subsequent crackdown.

The ‘July Massacre’ and Protesters' Defiance

The nation’s shock and anger were palpable. Protesters symbolically extended July by five days to mark the prolonged period of violence, calling it the "July Massacre." The student-led movement, which pushed for the government’s resignation, became a symbol of resistance and the quest for justice.

On August 5, after weeks of bloodshed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. With her departure, the Awami League leaders went into hiding, and an interim government was formed on August 8. The new administration pledged to hold those responsible for the bloodshed accountable, declaring that cases related to the killings would be prosecuted in the International Crimes Tribunal.

Lives Lost, Dreams Shattered

The loss of young lives has struck a deep chord in the nation. Stories of innocent children and teenagers have left many in mourning, their faces etched into the collective memory of a grieving country. Farhan Faiyaz, a bright and smiling 17-year-old Mohammadpur Residential Model School and College student, was one of many. Golam Nafiz (17), seen hanging lifelessly from a rickshaw, and Hossain Mia, a 10-year-old vendor working to support his family, are just a few of the heart-wrenching stories.

Ria Ghosh, a 6-year-old who was shot while playing on her rooftop, has become a haunting symbol of the violence, her image now immortalised in graffiti across Dhaka. Ria’s story—hit by a stray bullet in her own home—resonates as an emblem of the terror that gripped the nation.

Among the victims was 11-year-old Samirur Rahman, killed by a bullet that pierced his head while he was inside his home in Mirpur, Dhaka. Samir was the only child of his parents a student at a nearby madrasa, and his death has left his family in inconsolable grief.

A Call for Justice

The deaths of these children and teenagers have left a permanent scar on the nation. Human rights groups, including the National Human Rights Commission, have called for thorough investigations into each death. Human rights activist Noor Khan stated, "The Awami League government brutally suppressed the protests, even firing from helicopters to create a climate of fear. Every death of a child or teenager demands justice."

The senseless violence inflicted upon the youth of Bangladesh has also prompted calls for international accountability. Former caretaker government advisor Rasheda K. Choudhury referred to these killings as genocide, noting that such brutalities have not been seen in the country since the 1971 Liberation War. She asked the painful question, "How can we now explain people being killed by their countrymen?"

The Fight for Accountability

On August 5, Sheikh Hasina resigned and left Bangladesh, and an interim government took over. This new government quickly announced that the killings during the protests would be investigated, and those responsible would face prosecution in the International Crimes Tribunal.

Though the wheels of justice are beginning to turn, the families of the victims remain haunted by the question: will justice bring back their lost children? The heartbroken uncle of 11-year-old Samir, one of the victims, tearfully asked, “What crime did an 11-year-old commit? Why couldn’t he be safe even in his own home?”

The loss of these young lives is not just a statistic—it is a national tragedy. For Bangladesh, these deaths are a harsh reminder of the cost of political turmoil, and the country now faces the difficult task of healing and seeking justice for its lost children.

Source: https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/htrjqgttq8