Living with 7 bullets: Sujon’s months of unbearable pain

On October 30, 2024By Karl

Before the revolution, Sujon was the sole breadwinner for his family. He now relies on others for basic mobility and faces a terrifying reality as his family slides further into poverty and uncertainty.

30 October 2024 13:20

Last modified: 30 October 2024, 13:39

Once the sole breadwinner for his family, Sujon now relies on others for basic mobility and faces a terrifying reality as his family slides further into poverty and uncertainty. Photos: TBS

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Once the sole breadwinner for his family, Sujon now relies on others for basic mobility and faces a terrifying reality as his family slides further into poverty and uncertainty. Photos: TBS

Three months have passed since 25-year-old Khalid Mahmud Sujon from Lakshmipur was shot on August 4 while participating in the Student Movement Against Discrimination.

To date, he has seven bullets lodged in his body, causing excruciating pain and paralyzing his left side.

Once the sole breadwinner for his family, Sujon now relies on others for basic mobility and faces a terrifying reality as his family slides further into poverty and uncertainty.

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Sujon’s family consists of her mother, father, an older brother and a younger sibling, both of whom have mental health issues.

Since Sujon’s injury, their struggle has become even more intense, and they have no regular income to pay for his treatment or daily needs.

Surviving with seven bullets

When he visits Sujon’s house, a terrible truth is revealed.

Seven bullets are still in various parts of his body: one in his neck, two in his chest, three in his right arm and one under his ear.

Only two of the original nine shells were removed.

Doctors informed the family that the remaining bullets in Bangladesh were impossible to remove and may require treatment abroad.

“The bullets left me unable to work or even move without assistance. I constantly worry about what will happen to my family,” says Sujon.

Sujon with his father and older brother

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Sujon with his father and older brother

Relative Mubarak Hossain describes the family’s struggle: “Sujon does not have the means to support the family or pay for his medical treatment. Now even Sujon’s younger brother, who is in the 8th grade, may have to drop out of school.”

Sujon remembers the day of the protest vividly.

Leveraging his posts on social media, he joined the Student Anti-Discrimination Movement near Madam Bridge in Lakshmipur on the afternoon of August 4. When the protest reached the house of the former upazila chairman, the incident took a tragic turn as bullets rained down from above.

“Local Jubo League leader and upazila chairman AKM Salahuddin Tipu fired directly from the roof. Hundreds were injured; I was shot nine times and collapsed immediately,” Sujon recalls.

Four protesters died that day and hundreds were injured, including Sujon.

Other protesters initially took Sujon to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.

His relatives managed to transfer him from the hospital after members of the ruling party threatened new attacks.

He was taken to a private hospital in Noakhali but they could not admit him due to gunshot wounds.

Only two of the original nine shells were removed

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Only two of the original nine shells were removed

He was eventually transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors removed a bullet from his liver.

After 18 days there, Sujon was transferred to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where surgeons removed another bullet from his arm.

However, doctors at CMH informed the family that they could not remove the remaining bullets and suggested he may need medical care abroad.

Seven bullets are still in various parts of his body: one in his neck, two in his chest, three in his right arm and one under his ear.