A teen age boy was murdered (story of child labor and teen gangs)
This is a true story of 2017 mid July, I was then a junior year student at my alma mater. I was studying Electrical and Engineering in there, and Namni, my friend was doing her bachelors in architect. She was in her sophomore year, although we admitted into university at the same time, but due to some session jamming she lagged behind for one semester.
A project was assigned to her for a coursework to make some fancy and decorative showcase. She decided to make a lantern for the project with some special design, typically an architect focus on functionality for a project. I almost forgot what was the specialty of the lantern, but I helped her for that project. She decided to make a wood base and transparent glass for it.
So when she discussed with me about the project, and she was fretted about the availability of wood and glass. We decided to visit a market near to campus gents hall, locally it is known as New bazar (Noya Bazar), there are some woodcutter to help us in wood base. She ordered a wood base in there, it was a Monday of the week, the hewer will deliver the base in Thursday afternoon. Deadline for the project is Sunday, so we decided to buy some glass for the project. We destined for port area (Bondor), as there are some glass shops. On that glass market I first met the boy, I almost forgot his complexion, he had a dark skin color, with emaciated body. When we visited the market, he was working in the first shop to enter the market. He showed us some good glasses and we discussed what kind of glass we want. I still remember he gave us some suggestions to make a durable lantern. After end of discussion we chose a pair of glass, he will cut the glass according to wood base dimensions. So as long as he cant check the base for the lantern, he cant cut the glass and start work. Now we are waiting till Thursday .
A mishap happened in Thursday, the woodcutter made a late to deliver our order. When we visited the hewer shop we found it closed, then after dusk Namni went to her hall. I promised her as soon as I received the base we will together destined to port area. The woodman delivered our product at 8 PM, shops are being shut down. We make a hasty cause in 9 PM the glass market will be closed. When we reached the port area, it was almost 9 PM, shop keeper started to shut down their shops. Namni urged the shop owner to delay for half an hour, cause we just need to attach the glass into the wood base. Shop owner denied, Namni started to crying, then the boy lent his helping hand to us. The boy said- Apu no worries, I will help you. Shop owner become angry, and shouted I wont let you work in the shop, if you still want to proceed then work under the lamp post.
We were in a dilemma, what should we do at this moment! The boy convinced us- don’t worry, I will manage it. He has a younger brother, ordered him to go back to home alone carefully. As soon as the market closed, the rain started. We all were wet, it was a cats and dogs rain. Almost an hour later, it was drizzling, then the boy decided to work, he managed a light to work. It was almost 11 PM night, we 3 alone in the whole market. The glass boy meticulously completed the whole task in an hour, and I was wondering why he decided to help us. I still remember, when the work is finished, he exclaimed- Bhai finally it is done
Namni submitted the Lantern for showcase in Sunday, basically in Bangladesh Friday and Saturday is week end, so if the boy didn’t help us Namni would fail to submit project in time. Most sad part happened in 3 months later. We had to visit the same market for some glass works. Shop-owner remembered us, when we visited the shop, he came to us and said that the boy was murdered. I was astonished and asked him how? I also asked the owner- he had a younger brother, is the brother still working here? The owner replied- his dead body was found in a drain, some teen age boy killed him, basically some teen-age gang activities. And the younger brother is still working in here. When I found the younger 10 years old brother, was working in front of the shop, I felt guilty, some murmur words still resonates in my ear- Go back home and be careful.
Yes, In my country child labor is recognized activity, and previleged like me earn a degree for their sacrifice. I have some due debt to the society, everyday every moment I feel it, I feel guilty for that. My degree was earned through a boy who was murdered for gang activities. Whenever I land in Sylhet, in my alma mater, I can still remember that rainy day, the working crafts of the boy, Namni’s cry everything. I will never forget you, wherever you are I pray for you, Allah will make peaceful everything to you. And you are my one of inspiration to do some things good for the society.
