Punish masterminds who derailed our sons

Parents of two Bogra militants, who were killed during the raid by law enforcers after the massacre at Holey Artisan Bakery in the capital on July 1 last year, are waiting to see the punishment of the masterminds who diverted their sons to the wrong way.

The two killed militants were Shafiqul Islam Uzzal, son of Bodiuzzaman Sarkar Bodi of Baniyajan Chollishpara village under Gosaibari union in Dhunat upazila, and Khairul Islam alias Payel, son of Abul Hossain of Brikustia village of Chupinagar union under Shajahanpur upazila in the district.

"I was surprised that my son was diverted to the destructive path. We are yet to know who the masterminds were and how they tempted my son. I hope no parents lose their son in this way. I want exemplary punishment of the masterminds of the heinous crime before my death," said Bodiuzzaman, former general secretary of local ward No 5 of Awami League.

After completing BA (Pass) from local Goshaibari Degree College, he got himself admitted to Government Azizul Haque College and finally left for Dhaka. There he got job in a kindergarten at Uttara. We could not know with whom he mixed and who derailed him," said Uzzal's mother Achhiya Begum.

"Seven months' before the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, Uzzal left home, saying that he was going to a tablig jamaat for four months. Later we heard that our son was killed as he became a militant. I want punishment of those who had derailed him," she added.

Bodiuzaman and Achhiya, who live in a tin-shed house on their remaining nine decimals of land, after losing 30 bighas of land to the Jamuna river, said they are passing days through hardship with two other sons and a daughter.

Ailing parents of madrasa student Khairul Islam alias Payel alias Badhan are also passing bad days with their two daughters in a tin-shed house at Brikustia village.

"Our son went to Dhaka with his neighbour Hakim, who is now in Rab custody. Later he got involved in militancy. I want punishment of those who led my son to misinterpreted way of Islam," said Payel's mother Piyara Begum.

Arifur Rahman Mondal, additional superintendent of police (Crime) of Bogra, said police, Rab and other law enforcement agencies are working to contain militancy and masterminds like Tamim Chowdhury, Rajib Gandi and several other militant leaders have been arrested so far.