At the end of October 2023, Rafiqul Islam, an activist of Narayanganj Chhatra Dal known as Aqib, who was injured in police firing, is currently in Dhaka Central Jail. Aqib, whose eyes are now hurting without any apparent cause, faces the risk of severe consequences if not treated promptly. It is natural to wonder about the potential condition of his eyes if left untreated. Aqib's eyes are in jeopardy, particularly after losing his right eye on October 28, the day of the BNP rally.

Doctors have emphasised the urgency of removing the bullet from Aqib's right eye to prevent further damage. They warn that without timely treatment, he may permanently lose his sight due to infection.

A doctor affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who has successfully operated on hundreds of eyes, echoes the same sentiment. Despite being outside Dhaka, he made a nighttime journey to the city. After performing the operation, he left Dhaka the following day.

When asked why he doesn’t live in Dhaka, he responded that the country's dictator, Sheikh Hasina, is causing harm to the people in various ways. Some leaders and activists from the BNP and Gono Adhikar Parishad have been targeted, with injuries ranging from shots to the hands, legs, and eyes. Given the circumstances, if the DB police apprehend them, the medical treatment for the injured activists would be halted. The names of the doctors cannot be revealed due to security concerns, as various law enforcement agencies are actively searching for them.

A total of 65 BNP workers were struck by bullets during a crackdown on a BNP rally on October 28. As riot police fired from the rooftops of two large buildings in Shantinagar, innocent individuals attending the rally were hit in the head and face.

Earlier, on July 21, Juba Dal leader Masum (nickname) sustained an injury to his right eye from a sound grenade. Recounting the incident, he explained, "We were marching on the road opposite the party office in Nayapaltan. Initially, I didn't understand what was happening. Later, I noticed something resembling rice starch coming out of my eyes. I sought the assistance of the team doctors. Subsequently, a doctor from a private hospital in Bangladesh informed me that a splinter from the sound grenade had penetrated my eyeball. He conveyed that there was nothing more to be done and bid farewell, leaving me with excruciating pain and impaired vision in the affected eye."

In search of a solution, Masum travelled to Chennai, India. The doctors there diagnosed an infection in the eye and recommended an immediate operation, during which the splinter was successfully removed. However, despite the surgery, his vision remains impaired. He can perceive objects when wearing glasses, especially those nearby and illuminated by light, but long-distance vision remains elusive.

The financial toll of this ordeal has been substantial. Masum has already spent 18 lakh taka to address the consequences of the sound grenade. This incident has significantly reduced his income, leading him to close the shop where he conducted his business. Moreover, the prospect of returning to Chennai looms, and the financial burden is uncertain.

Masum is not alone in his plight. Saiful, a student leader from Habiganj, accompanied him to Chennai. The doctors in India delivered the unfortunate news that Saiful's right eye was irreparably damaged. However, Saiful has yet to disclose this information to his mother and girlfriend, fearing the potential consequences on his personal relationships. In a moment of poignant reflection, Saiful expressed to Masum the fear of losing his beloved if she learns of his eye damage. 

Health Secretary of BNP, Dr. Rafiq, informed Bangla Outlook, "In 2012, BNP leader Mary from Sirajganj lost both eyes due to police firing. Following the publication of this news, there was extensive discussion both within the country and internationally. Unfortunately, since then, approximately 50 to 65 BNP leaders and workers have suffered the loss of their eyes, and over 1,000 leaders have been injured due to police firing. What adds to the sorrow is that a staggering 90 to 95 percent of those leaders and workers who were shot in the eyes eventually lost their eyesight."

Highlighting a particularly distressing incident, Dr Rafiq mentioned, "On World Human Rights Day, four leaders, including journalists in Habiganj, were shot in the eye by the police. Compounding the issue is the country's scarcity of skilled retinal surgeons, leading to inadequate treatment for individuals with eye injuries."

He further stated, "Regrettably, we cannot file any case against the government party and the country's police, as these cases are not accepted. We expect the police to act with humanity. In the past, they used to aim for the legs during such incidents, but for several years, there has been a disturbing trend of police targeting the face."

However, the Metropolitan Police rejected these allegations, asserting that BNP leaders and workers had attacked the police.

Chhatra Dal leader's statement

Dhaka South Chhatra Dal leader Ahmed Sooruj (pseudonym) was present at Kakrail Mor on October 28. As a master's student in the Islamic History department at the Govt. Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Dhaka, he recounted, "We were part of a peaceful movement. I observed three or four police cars stationed beside our procession. Tensions and pressure naturally arise when supporters and activists from another rally join our procession. The police could have erected barricades to reduce the tension. Members of the Awami League might also be present in the BNP procession."

Chaos suddenly erupted in the BNP procession. Sooruj continued, "The police swiftly initiated the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades. I was hit in the nose, and blood started flowing immediately. X-rays later revealed that numerous rubber bullets had entered my body. Doctors promptly removed the bullets, but many wounds remained. I lost consciousness amidst the chaos as people scattered. Rubber bullets and sound grenades were even fired from the top of buildings. A Mahila Dal leader from Munshiganj took me to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Before losing consciousness, I witnessed many individuals injured by police rubber bullets lying on the road, with others being escorted to safety. The pervasive use of tear gas made it challenging to stay conscious amid the turmoil."

"Upon my arrival at Dhaka Medical College, I observed members of the Awami League and Chhatra League armed with Ramda-Lathi, while we, on the other hand, didn't even possess a stick. On October 28, 12 lakh BNP leaders and activists gathered. Had they rushed towards the police and the Awami League, could they have remained unscathed? We intended to conduct a peaceful rally"

"My father called from the village, informing me it was a government-controlled hospital. Upon hearing this, I noticed police officers scrutinising prescriptions and gathering personal information, including home addresses and phone numbers. Subsequently, my brother arrived. As I hadn't completed the treatment at Dhaka Medical, I informed the duty doctors that I felt unwell and needed to use the washroom. Under the pretext of accompanying me to the bathroom, my brother led me out of the medical facility. Seizing the opportunity, I took a rickshaw and headed to the public health centre. Later, I learned that the police had arrested numerous leaders and workers from Dhaka Medical."