‘We no longer have dreams’

The body of Babulal, who was killed in an airstrike in Libya on November 18, reached home yesterday.

The victim’s son -- Nazim Hossain, 14 -- received the body at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday morning.

Talking to The Daily Star, Nazim said his father migrated to the war-torn African country around a decade ago.

“We will now suffer as my father was the only breadwinner of our family.”

Nazim also said that his father took loan from relatives and went to Libya with a hope that he would be able to bring solvency for his family.

“He was yet to finish repaying the money he borrowed. He had so many dreams … He even wanted to build a home for all of us after returning the money,” Nazim said, adding, “Now my father is gone. We no longer dream.”

The victim, hailing from Rajshahi’s Bagmara upazila, along with six other persons died while working at a biscuit factory in Tripoli.

Along with the son, Babulal left behind his wife, daughter and relatives to mourn his death.

Meanwhile, two more bodies returned from Libya.

The victims were identified as Arshad, of Gaibandha’s Gobindoganj, and Nazrul Islam, of Natore’s Lalpur upazila, said a Brac Migration Programme.

Arshad was electrocuted on August 19 in Tripoli while Nazrul was shot dead on August 6 in the city of Murzuq, Brac sources said.

The three bodies landed in Dhaka yesterday morning in a chartered flight.

Some 152 Bangladeshis were brought back by the government from Libya in the flight, reported UNB.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported Bangladesh government for safe return of the migrants.

In a statement, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh Chief of Mission Giorgi Gigauri said, “These migrants found themselves in perilous conditions in Libya and were desperate to get back home. We supported their voluntary return, ensuring their safety and dignity. We are also extending our support for them to achieve sustainable reintegration, in full respect for human rights.”

Another official of IOM Bangladesh told The Daily Star that 10 of the 152 Bangladeshis who were injured received treatment in Bangladesh.

He said the Bangladeshis were kept at a safe home in Libya. They were brought back after they gave consent for return home.

Despite such situation, many Bangladeshis opted to stay in the country hoping to change their fortunes, either by pursuing jobs there or seeking opportunity to go to Europe across the Mediterranean via illegal routes, said the IOM official, seeking anonymity.

Tripoli has been under attack since early April from forces loyal to east Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar, according to Reuters.

His Libyan National Army (LNA) have used drones and fighter jets to carry out air strikes amid sporadic fighting.