Two years on, Wasim's family still waits for justice

COX'S BAZAR, July 18:  Knee-deep floodwater has once again inundated the courtyard of Jochona Begum's home in South Mehernama Village of Pekua. Every monsoon reminds her of her son, Wasim Akram, who swam home through floodwaters three years ago carrying dry food for the family. This year, the floods have returned, but Wasim has not.

Today marks the second anniversary of the death of Wasim, the first person killed in Chattogram during the July student-led mass uprising.

Speaking to this correspondent on Tuesday, Jochona recalled her son's final visit home with tears in her eyes.

"I miss him every day. During floods like these, he swam home, brought food from the market and helped with all the household work," she said.

Since losing him, she often listens to recordings of his voice saved on her phone and regularly visits his grave.

Wasim's father, Shafiul Alam, spends much of his time at a leased fish enclosure near his son's grave.

"It has been two years since I heard him call me 'Baba'," he said. "I no longer seek recognition or fame. I only want Wasim to live on in people's memories."

Shafiul said he had hoped his son would join the civil service, but Wasim wanted to move to Canada. To finance that dream, the family mortgaged land and borrowed Tk 1.9 million.

"Everything was beginning to fall into place, but his death changed our lives completely," he said.

On April 5 this year, prosecutors submitted charges before the International Crimes Tribunal against 22 people over the killings of Wasim and five others during the July uprising. Separately, Jochona Begum filed a murder case with Panchlaish Police Station in Chattogram on August 18, 2024.

Shafiul said he was not closely following the legal proceedings.

"I only want the guilty to be punished and the innocent to be spared. Justice is what matters."
Jochona echoed the same demand.

"Two years have passed, but justice has not been served. We only want justice for our son," she said.

Wasim's younger sister, Sabrina Yasmin Soma, said her brother had sacrificed his life for democracy.

"Our only wish is to see those responsible brought to justice," she said.

According to the family, they have received Tk 20 lakh in savings certificates from the government and Tk 30 lakh in savings certificates from the interim government in three phases. They also received financial assistance from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party and Dhaka University.

Bahadur Shah, President of Pekua Upazila BNP, said the party had renovated Wasim's grave, installed a nameplate, formed the Wasim Smriti Sangsad, and taken steps to improve the road leading to the family's home.

Wasim Akram, a third-year sociology student at Chattogram College, also served as joint convener of the college unit of Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal. He was the third of five siblings. His family says they now live with his memories while continuing to wait for justice.