A heart-rending atmosphere was created when the body of engineer Zahid Hasan, a resident of Baraigram, Natore, who was killed in a clash during a protest march demanding the closure of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat's 'Salana Jalsa' in Panchagarh, was brought home on Saturday evening. The family members were speechless after seeing his body.
Ali Akbar, Joari UP chairman of Baraigram, said that on Saturday evening, hundreds of people gathered in Joari Kachutia village of Baraigram upazila to see the body of engineer Zahid Hasan. Seeing the dead body, everyone burst into tears. His father Abu Bakr and his two uncles came from Panchgarh with the body of Zahid Hasan. All of them went to Panchgarh at 10 am on Friday to attend the annual Jalsa of Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
Zahid Hasan's father Abu Bakkar told Prothom Alo that Zahid Hasan was hit by a brick on his head and face and died on the spot. He regretted that Zahid Hassan was the only son born after two daughters. He made his only son an engineer by working as a day laborer and night watchman in a local private clinic. Six months ago, Zahid got a job in a private company named Biotech International in Dhaka. He taught his son education by borrowing about four lakh rupees. Now is the time to pay that debt. After the death of his son, he is also worried about paying the debt.
Leaders and workers of some organizations including Islamic Andolan Bangladesh staged a protest in Panchagarh city on Friday morning demanding the closure of the 'Salana Jalsa' of Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Ahmad Nagar of Panchagarh district. Clashes between the police and the protesters began on Friday afternoon. Arifur Rahman (28) and Zahid Hasan (26) were killed in the clash that lasted for about six hours. 50 people including 9 policemen and 2 journalists were injured in the clash.