Tuesday, October 7, 2025

They all speak of Limon’s innocence

Shot into Disability by Rab
They all speak of Limon’s innocence
The High Court order to grant Limon six months’ bail and ensure his proper treatment has brought relief not only to Limon’s family but also to his villagers and well-wishers. Meanwhile, The Daily Star’s special correspondent Morshed Ali Khan visited Limon’s village in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi district and talked to around 150 people–farmers, traders, teachers, leaders of political parties (both Awami League and BNP) and even children. They all said Limon was innocent.
At around 4:00pm on March 23, Tokacher Jamaddar, a septuagenarian farmer of Jamaddar Hatkhola in Chhaturia village of Jhalakathi district, had just finished his day’s work when two Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel arrived at his doorstep. The armed Rab men wanted Tokacher to identify a young man lying by the river Sandhya with a bullet wound. Tokacher followed the men to the spot, some 50 metres from his house, and had a proper look at the motionless youth clad in blood.
“What have you done?” Tokacher cried out at half a dozen Rab men present there. “He is Limon, our Tofazzal’s son and a brilliant student of Kathalia college. He has nothing to do with any misdeed.”
Tokacher and his wife Zaida Begum narrated how the Rab personnel reacted when they learnt that they had just shot an innocent boy while looking for one of the most wanted criminal of the area Murshed Jamaddar and his associates. (See the side story)
“When I told them that Limon is innocent, there was a panic among the Rab personnel,” said Tokacher, “One of them told me it was an accident. As the sun was setting they called a local boatman to send wounded Limon away with some of the officers.”
Zaida Begum said Limon was a promising child who worked hard to pay for his studies and support his family. “He tutored children of the area and toiled in the fields whenever he was free,” she said, adding, “For any parents he is an ideal child.”
On the day, Limon was home preparing for his upcoming final exams. Towards the afternoon his mother told him to get the family calf which went astray as high tide flooded the grazing field next to their house. Limon found the calf at a higher point near a small culvert just across the field. Accompanying him was his neighbour 12-year-old Abir. Having found the calf Limon casually sat on the railing of the culvert.
Suddenly, two Rab men appeared on the spot on a motorbike and grabbed Limon by his shirt. They separated Abir and dragged Limon some 15 metres behind banana trees. By then several more Rab personnel arrived on motorbikes.
“One of the Rab men pointed his pistol at Limon’s head wanting to know the whereabouts of Murshed Jamaddar when terrified Limon told him that he was only a student,” said Limon’s mother, who alerted by the children of the area rushed across the field for her son. “The Rab officer did not ask any other question. He shot Limon point-blank at just above his left knee,” she said.
Limon’s uncle Mohazzel Hossain, a matchmaker by profession, also rushed to the spot as by then there was a rumour that Limon was shot dead. As he approached the remaining Rab officers and identified himself as Limon’s uncle, they severely beat him in front of villagers. Mohazzel sustained eight fractures in his left leg from the beating.
The March 23 incident at an isolated place only five minutes’ walk from Limon’s home not only left the boy crippled for life but also shattered the dreams of the family aspiring to climb the ladder of success from abject poverty.
Limon’s mother Henora Begum, father Tofazzal Hossain struggled hard to educate their two sons Hemayet Hossain Sumon, a BA final year student, Limon Hossain, a HSC student of Accounting Trade and Lucky Akhter, a BA student.
While every person in the area, including officials of Rajapur Police Station knew about Limon’s innocence, Rab was not sitting idle. Its public relations wing at the time claimed that Limon was with a group of most wanted criminals, including Murshed Jamaddar. As the elite force raided the area on a tip off, the criminals opened fire. Since Limon was with the criminals, he received the bullet in a cross fire, Rab said.
Rab Deputy Assistant Director Corporal Majharul Islam, Nayek Moktadir Hossain, Nayek Prahalad Chandra, Soldier Kartik Kumar Biswas and Costable Md Abdul Aziz participated in the operation on March 23. They were hell-bent to save their skin and prove Limon’s association with a notorious gang that has been successfully eluding the elite force for years.
Two cases were filed by Rab with Rajapur Police Station accusing Limon of obstructing on-duty law enforcers and possessing firearms. As soon as Limon’s story came to light, Rab embarked on recruiting witnesses in the area who would testify against Limon. Capitalising on the situation, petty criminals as well as drug addicts came forward to denounce Limon. With one leg amputated, 16-year-old Limon is now facing the wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, after days of dilly-dally refusal to accept any case from Limon’s mother against the Rab men, Rajapur police eventually recorded a case after it was directed by a court of justice. In the case, Limon’s mother accused the six Rab personnel of maiming her son.
On Tuesday, Rajapur police got Limon released from Dhaka Pangu hospital and produced him before a senior judicial magistrate in Jhalakathi, 220 kilometers south of the capital. The Magistrate sent Limon to jail asking authorities to organise his treatment there. He was later shifted to Barisal Medical College Hospital prison cell.
While Limon was being framed in false cases, a top official of the Rab intelligence arrived at the village on April 12 to investigate the matter. According to Limon’s mother and villagers, the official of the enquiry team was so moved by the findings that he offered Limon’s mother Tk 5000 as a gesture of goodwill.
“I did not want to accept the money but the Rab official insisted in front of the villagers,” said Henora Begum.
Even the Director General of Rab Mokhlesur Rahman on April 11 said Limon Hossain is the victim of a ‘shootout’ between Rab and criminals. “Limon is a young boy, not a notorious criminal but an accused in a criminal case. He just became the victim of the incident,” he said.
The criminal case the Rab DG mentioned was filed following a family feud over land, in which almost all of Limon’s family members were accused.
The top level Rab intelligence officer was not alone to sympathise with Limon. The entire staff and students of Limon’s college, farmers, villagers, senior citizens, children, traders, leaders of the local government (both Awami League and BNP), and even beggars came forward to help Limon obtain treatment. Students and villagers formed human chains to protest maiming of Limon.
Abu Shahan, about 70 years of age and former Chairman of the area for 20 years, said, “We are happy to see Rab doing an excellent job but it was a terrible mistake to maim this young man who we all know as a polite and meritorious student coming from an extremely poor family.”
Md Nashir Uddin Mahmud, principal of Limon’s college told The Daily Star that Limon was an ideal student loved by all the staff. “His attendance in the college was over 90 percent and his class performance was excellent. We never heard of any report of his involvement with any untoward incident. I am deeply shocked for what he went through,” said Mahmud.
Atiqur Rahman, training Instructor of the college, Mrinal Kanti Mandal, Shekhor Chandra Halder, Mobarak Ali, teachers of the school and college sections, unanimously expressed their sadness at the incident.
The most interesting part of Limon case was that Rajapur police produced charge sheet against Limon and seven absconding others including Murshed Jamaddar for possessing firearms and obstructing law enforcers.
While the police officers refused to comment on Limon’s case on record, unofficially they admitted Limon’s innocence. Yet Limon has been put through the grinding process of the state mechanisms.
Limon’s sister Lucky Akhter said the family had never known luxury. The small house they live in the village is rickety and poorly furnished. Limon’s study area included a broken shelf, a wobbly chair and table at the corner of an earthen veranda.
“We thought we would be able to start working soon as we finish our studies and bring some joy to the family,” said Lucky, “ But this incident has shattered our dreams.”
A High Court bench yesterday following a bail petition filed by Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organisation, granted bail for six months to Limon. The court also directed the government to arrange his treatment at one of the country’s best hospitals as per Limon’s choice. It also asked the government to bear all costs for the treatment.

 

Courtesy of The Daily Star

Related News

Poor pay, allowances of teachers affect education

World Teacher’s Day today Shahin Akhter Poor pay-scale and allowances and low social status mark the poor condition of the teachers in Bangladesh affecting the education sector, observed educationists and researchers. They also said that the Bangladeshi teachers were lagging much behind their fellows even in the neighbouring countries in terms of these facilities and ... Read more

Protecting hilsa: 22-day fishing ban begins

News Desk : dhakamirror.com The government has put a 22-day halt on catching, transporting, storing, selling, and marketing hilsa throughout the country. This measure aims to protect the fish during its crucial breeding season. The ban started at midnight yesterday and will last until October 25, as stated in a notification from the Ministry of ... Read more

Road fatalities: 446 crashes, 417 lives lost in September

News Desk : dhakamirror.com In September, a tragic report from the Road Safety Foundation revealed that at least 417 people lost their lives and 682 were injured in 446 road accidents throughout Bangladesh. Among those who died, there were 63 women and 47 children, as highlighted in the foundation’s monthly report released today. In 151 ... Read more

Man’s fatal fall into Ramna Park lake

News Desk : dhakamirror.com A tragic incident occurred yesterday at Ramna Park in the capital, where a man drowned in the lake. The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Wasimul Haq. The police were able to identify him using fingerprint records. According to Ramna police SI Mizanur Rahman, he was discovered unconscious around 6:00 PM ... Read more

Tariff Commission’s size-based hilsa pricing strategy

News Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC), also known as the Tariff Commission, has suggested setting a maximum retail price for hilsa based on its size. This recommendation comes in response to the unusual spike in prices seen in the local market. On Sunday, the Tariff Commission released a report detailing ... Read more

Ekushey Book Fair won’t happen in December

News Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangla Academy announced yesterday (28 September), that the previously scheduled dates for the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 have been postponed. In a press release, they explained that this decision was made following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 21, which indicated that the fair should ... Read more

Working in Bangladesh is quite challenging: CEC

News Desk : dhakamirror.com The Election Commission is grappling with a mix of challenges, both seen and unseen, as it gears up for the upcoming elections and responds to various demands, shared chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday. “These hurdles might not be apparent from the outside, but we’re constantly navigating through them,” ... Read more

Travel ban on Keokradong hill to be lifted starting from 1 October

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Great news for travelers! Keokradong hill in Bandarban’s Ruma upazila is set to welcome tourists again starting October 1. The district administration has finally lifted the travel ban that had been in effect for almost three years. Bandarban Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shamim Ara Rini announced the decision today (27 September) during ... Read more

Tree planting campaign to lower pollution, make city more attractive

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Shahjahan Mia has inaugurated a tree plantation and greening programme covering 33 road medians, spanning a total length of 31 kilometres, within the corporation’s jurisdiction. Under the “Zero Soil” programme, ornamental flowering trees and grasses will be planted across 28 DSCC medians, while the ... Read more

Krishi Bank ranks third in remittance collection

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Krishi Bank has shown remarkable success in collecting remittances from expatriates during the first eight months of 2025 (January–August). Known as bank for farmers due to its agricultural loan services, this state-owned institution has climbed to the third position in remittance collection from abroad in that timeframe. This notable achievement has ... Read more

North Bay low : Rain forecast for Bangladesh

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Many parts of the country is expected to witness moderate to heavy and very heavy rainfall in the coming days due to the formation of a low-pressure system over the north Bay and adjoining coastal areas, the Met office said in its latest forecast. According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s 120-hour weather ... Read more

Metrorail boosts service: Extended hours & more frequent arrivals

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Dhaka metrorail service is set to start operating earlier in the morning and later at night to better serve the growing number of passengers. Service hours will be extended by 30 minutes at both the beginning and end of the day, and the interval between trains will be reduced by nearly ... Read more

22% minors in Bangladesh’s sex trade

News Desk : dhakamirror.com At least 22 percent of victims of commercial sexual exploitation (abuse of a person, or a minor, through sexual activities in exchange for money, goods, or other benefits) in Bangladesh are children, said speakers at an event yesterday. They shared the information at the launch of “Project Shurakkha”, an initiative of ... Read more

WB Reports Bangladesh Heat Costs at $1.78 Billion in 2024

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Rising temperatures in Bangladesh are fueling a surge in heat-related illnesses, leading to the loss of 250 million workdays in 2024 and economic losses estimated at $1.33–1.78 billion, representing about 0.3 to 0.4 percent of Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, according to a new World Bank report. The report ... Read more

Police clearance no longer required for passports

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that police verification will no longer be necessary for obtaining a passport, thereby reducing unnecessary hassle for citizens. “Getting a passport is a basic right. We have established a rule that eliminates the need for police verification,” he stated. While speaking at the opening session ... Read more

Metro rail achieves record 4 lakh daily passengers

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Metro Rail has achieved a remarkable milestone by carrying over 400,000 passengers in a single day. The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), which operates the Metro Rail, announced this achievement on their official Facebook page on Friday night. For the first time, Metro Rail recorded 403,164 passengers. The Metro Rail ... Read more

Most people, about 66% think civil servants behave as if they are rulers

News Desk : dhakamirror.com More than 100,000 participants have contributed their responses to reform commission’s online survey 80% of the respondents believe that the administration is not approachable for the general public, according to a survey conducted by the Public Administration Reform Commission. Additionally, 66% of participants feel that civil servants act as if they ... Read more

Former Justice Abdur Rouf dies

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Md Abdur Rouf has passed away at the age of 91. He died around 10:00 am while receiving treatment at Insaf Barakah Kidney and General Hospital in Dhaka, as stated in a press release. Justice Rouf had been battling heart disease, lung complications, kidney issues, and ... Read more

Bangladesh climbed 4 positions to rank 93rd in global passport index

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh has climbed four notches up in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, ranking 93rd out of 99. However, the number of visa-free destinations for Bangladeshi passport holders has dropped from 42 in 2024 to 39 this year, reflecting a decline in global travel privileges. Despite this improvement in rank — ... Read more

BBS Findings show Madaripur most poverty-stricken district, Noakhali least

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Madaripur has the highest poverty rate in the country, with 54.4% of its population living below the upper poverty line. The district’s upazilas are also significantly affected by poverty, with Dasar upazila reporting a poverty rate of 63.2%, as per a survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). BBS ... Read more