Lost battle for a hartal victim

Family members of Faruque break down in tears at his Gendaria home yesterday. Faruque, inset, died from burn injuries he received when vandals near Moghbazar torched the car he was travelling on Saturday night.Photo: STAR

Faruque Hossain finally succumbed to his injuries yesterday after spending five agonising days at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
He had undergone a severe case of burns as criminals torched a car on the night before June 27 hartal. He died in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at about 2:15am on Thursday, Mohammed Selim, his older brother told The Daily Star.
On June 26, Faruque had left home for Mohakhali with his friends Sumon and Foysal to look for a job. On their way back in Foysal's car, they stopped near Moghbazar level crossing as Foysal went to buy something. Without any warning a group rushed towards the car, poured petrol on it and set fire. By the time they managed to come out of the blazing car, Faruque was badly injured.
Dr Samanta Lal Sen, project director of the unit told The Daily Star, "We gave our best efforts to save him. The government provided the required support for his proper treatment but his condition was critical as 60 percent of his body was severely burnt."
Sumon is also undergoing treatment at the unit with burn injuries on his hands and neck. It will take him about two months to recover, said doctors at the unit.
"Those who burned my son to death must be tried under the speedy trial tribunal," demanded Shirin Begum, Faruque's mother.
Officer-in-Charge of Ramna Police Station, Shibli Noman told the Daily Star that Sub Inspector Shahed Ali had filed a case on Sunday accusing Nizami, Mojaheed, Saydee, Mirza Abbas and Shamsher Mobin of arson.
Yesterday, after Faruque's death the five in question have been charged with murder.
Our correspondent spoke to Faruque two days earlier. Lying on the hospital bed wrapped in bandages he spoke feebly as he requested his brother to bury him beside his father's grave.
Selim said his brother had last spoken to him at 12.10am yesterday when he wanted to have some ice cream. However his wish was not granted as the doctors advised against it. Selim broke into tears while referring to that incident.
An employee of an electric fan shop at Nawabpur in the capital, thirty year-old Faruque, along with his brother used to earn a living for their family of six including his widowed mother and three sisters.
“Government had been bearing his medical expenses since Monday. We spent all our money but failed to save his life”, wailed Faruque's mother Shirin Begum beside her son's lifeless body.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Faruque and Sumon at DMCH earlier. She expressed deep shock at the sad demise of Faruque.
In a condolence message, the PM expressed profound sorrow at the tragic death and said killing innocent people meaninglessly in the name of hartal can never be accepted.
State minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku consoled Faruque's family members as he visited the morgue.
Countering queries from journalists the minister said unpardonable crimes like arson and murder were committed in the name of hartal of which Faruque is a victim.