‘What should I do, buy food or pay for chemo?’

Kajli Akhtar, a 32-year-old mother of two, does not know how to manage money required for her next chemotherapy session. Having already undergone two chemotherapy sessions since being diagnosed with uterine cancer in March, she now finds herself unable to afford the life-saving treatment following her husband's murder.

Shahidul Islam, president of Gazipur unit of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, was beaten to death on June 25, immediately after attending a meeting to negotiate for workers' arrears at Prince Jacquard Sweater Ltd in Tongi Satish area.

Left without her husband, who was the sole breadwinner for the family, Kajli shared her anguish, stating, "We don't know how we will buy food for tomorrow... I don't see any way to arrange money for the rest of my chemotherapy sessions." 

"A day after my husband was killed, many people came to our house to console us. And that's all. Neither the administration nor anyone from his community came to see how we are surviving," added Kajili, who married Shahidul 21 years ago.

A day after my husband was killed, many people came to our house to console us. And that's all. Neither the administration nor anyone from his community came to see how we are surviving.

— Kajli Akhtar Wife of Shahidul Islam

As she faces an uncertain future, Kajli's elder son, Sadiqul Islam Apu, is preparing for his SSC exams, while her younger son, Ibrahim Khalilullah, is just starting his journey as a first-grader.

A day after the killing, Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation central committee president Kalpana Akhtar filed a murder case with Tongi West Police Station accusing six named (Hanif, Mazharul, 35, Akash, 38, Russell, 32, Ripon, 27, and Sohail, 26) and some five to seven unnamed people.

"Hanif was inside the factory before the time of murder. He is a henchman of a goon named Kamrul, who claims to be in charge of the factory, even though he is not an employee," she told reporters.

Police have so far arrested two accused in this case -- Russel and Mazharul.

Describing the day of murder, Kajli said, "My husband went out of home in the morning. I talked to him around 8:00pm and asked when he would return home."

"My husband replied that he was in some trouble and would be late. Hearing the surrounding noise over the phone, I could sense that he was inside a factory," she said.

"After an hour, one of my husband's colleagues called me over the phone and said he fell sick and was taken to a hospital. Around three hours later, my son went to the Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital and saw my husband's body," she added.

"The factory owner has killed my husband. I want justice," alleged Kajli.

"My future has become uncertain after my father's death. How will I continue my studies?" asked Apu, Shahidul's firstborn.

Contacted, worker leader Kalpana said their federation will financially assist Shahidul's family.

She expressed dissatisfaction over the role of law enforcers alleging that police are not serious about arresting the criminals.

Officer-in-Charge of Tongi West Police Station Shah Alam denied the allegations and said police have already arrested two of the accused and drives are underway  to arrest the rest.

Replying to a question, the OC said the  factory owner is not an accused in the case.

"Nevertheless, police are investigating whether there was any involvement of the factory owner with the killing," he said.

Gazipur Industrial Police is now investigating the case, added the OC.