July uprising: Hridoy dies with bullet in his skull

A 17-year-old boy who sustained bullet injuries to the head during the July uprising in Dhaka died at a hospital in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali district on Friday.

The deceased was identified as Ashiqur Rahman Hridoy, son of Ansar Hawladar of Paschim Jouta village in Bauphal.

According to family members, Hridoy had been working in Dhaka and was shot in the head during the July 18 uprising in the capital’s Jatrabari area. 

At the time, he took treatment in secret. After August 5, he was undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors removed two of the three bullets lodged in his head through surgery. One bullet remained and could not be extracted without risk.

Hridoy used to become ill sporadically. His condition worsened on Wednesday. On Friday noon, Hridoy was rushed to the Bauphal Upazila Health Complex after he fell critically ill. He succumbed at around 3 pm. 

His father, Ansar Hawladar, said: “I couldn’t afford advanced treatment for my son. I tried my best, even selling my rickshaw and a cow. Doctors at DMCH removed two bullets, but one remained. If treatment abroad had been arranged, my son might have survived.”

Hridoy’s elder brother, Md Sohag Islam Anis, added: “He had been suffering for a long time. The bullet that remained in his head caused constant pain and frequent fevers. No one came forward to help with his advanced treatment. My brother died due to the lack of proper medical care.”

Confirming the matter, Upazila Health Officer A Rouf said Hridoy was referred to the Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. However, the family could not take the patient there in time.