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Limon Shot to Disability

His studies in limbo

2 Rab cases bar him from normal life

Morshed Ali Khan
Implicated in two first degree criminal cases, Limon Hossain, the 16-year old college student from Jhalakathi, who was maimed by Rapid Action Battalion on March 23, sees little hope to continue his studies.
"Since my left leg was amputated, following the Rab shooting, my foremost worry has been my education," said Limon, who has been staying at
Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital ever since his release from the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) where the amputation was done.
"Although people from all walks of life
supported me, I don't know if I will be able to continue my studies with two criminal cases pending against me. These cases were filed by one of the most powerful forces of the country," Limon said.
On March 23, as Limon went to bring back family cattle from the filed near his house, a Rab team, on a manhunt for a local notorious criminal gang leader, shot Limon point blank in the village of Chhaturia. The case triggered an out-
cry nationwide in which Rab started to give contradictory statements. Rab investigators and top officials admitted Limon's innocence on record while others in the battalion mercilessly framed him in two first degree criminal cases. One of the cases is for possessing illegal firearms, and the other is for obstructing law enforcers from carrying out their duties and attempting to murder. Even a home ministry investigation found no evidence of Limon's involvement in any wrongdoing. The boy, who had worked in a brick field on his holidays to chase his dreams of further studies, now faces a gruelling path in the country's judicial system.
Now that the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) in Savar fitted Limon with an artificial leg on August 29, his worries about going back to normal life, especially to his studies, grows further. Limon wants to return to Kathalia College where he was studying for a
higher secondary certificate when the incident maimed him.
"The cases against me have no basis whatsoever, but still to prove my innocence my parents and myself have to take the pain of going to the court every time there is a hearing," Limon said with tears in his eyes, "We are poor people trying to survive by working hard and studying. Why should we be subjected to such torture?"
Officials of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights organisation giving Limon legal support in both cases, said unless the cases against him are dismissed, he cannot go back to normal life.
Director of the Investigation and
Documentation Unit of ASK Nur Khan Liton said only the state could help Limon's reintegration into normal life.
"With physical disability he won't be able to support his family any more," said Liton, "For him to attend hearings in two cases is painful and troublesome, so to continue his studies under these circumstances will be very, very difficult if not impossible."
A High Court bench granted Limon bail for six months on May 6. ASK officials said they will file relevant appeals with the High Court as soon as it opens on October 10 following a vacation.
Limon yesterday in a letter urged the National Human Rights Commission
to ensure his and his family's security in Jhalakathi where "an alleged gang of five Rab sources" is threatening the family with dire consequences if a case filed against Rab by Limon's mother is not withdrawn.
"I am scared to return to the village because this gang is constantly threatening my family. I also urged the commission to help me continue my studies," Limon said yesterday.
National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman told The Daily Star that his office will write to the home ministry requesting it to ensure Limon's safety.
"None of the investigations found Limon involved in any wrong doing," Mizanur Rahman said.