Abu Saeed, a prominent coordinator from Begum Rokeya University (BRU) and a victim of police gunfire during the quota reform movement, was laid to rest at his family graveyard at Pirganj upazila in Rangpur district on Wednesday.
The funeral prayer of the 24-year-old student was held around 9am at Jafarpura Madrasa ground in Babnupur village under Madankhali Union of the upazila.
Abu Saeed's body arrived in his village around 2am on Tuesday, and the scene was filled with grief and mourning as hundreds of people awaited his arrival.
Abu Saeed's father Mokbul Hossain, a day laborer, who couldn’t afford to educate any of his children. Despite these challenges, Abu Saeed was known for his exceptional intelligence and was the youngest of nine siblings. His parents had high hopes for his future.
The family is devastated by his loss as Abu Saeed was a beloved figure in his village and known for his intelligence and good nature. His mother, Monwara Begum, is inconsolable.
Abu Saeed excelled academically from a young age, earning a talent pool scholarship after finishing fifth grade from Junuder Para Government Primary School. He achieved a Golden GPA-5 in his SSC from Khalashpir Dimukhi High School and continued to excel in his HSC with another GPA-5 from Rangpur Government College.
He was studying in the English Department at Begum Rokeya University and was considered a promising young man with a bright future by the locals.
Eventually, he faced the tragic incident on Tuesday (July 16), when the students participating in the ongoing quota reform movement at BRU marched towards the campus from Lalbagh area. They were met with resistance from the police and Chhatra League members as they tried to enter the campus, leading to a clash. Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas shells, and live rounds at the students. Abu Saeed, who was leading the march, was shot and killed.
The protesting students stated that Abu Saeed was at the forefront of the quota reform movement at Begum Rokeya University and was leading the march at the time of his death.
Dr. Yunus Ali, the director of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, confirmed that Abu Saeed was brought to the hospital dead.
The death of Abu Saeed has cast a pall of sorrow over his family and community, who are now calling for justice and accountability for the violence that claimed his life.
