Families of Rony's victims ruined

Families of rickshaw-puller Abdul Halim and auto-rickshaw driver Yakub Ali -- both killed in a shootout involving Awami League MP Pinu Khan's son Rony -- have been ruined.

Halim (25) had sold off his ancestral house in Bogra five years ago to marry off his sister. After that, he shifted to a tin-shed shanty in Dhaka's Madhu Bagh with his parents and 10-year old brother Manjurul.

His father was also a rickshaw-puller like him but can't work anymore due to old age and stays with his sister's family in Bogra.

His mother Monowara Begum now works as maid in three households earning a paltry Tk 3000.

After Halim's death, his minor brother Manjurul has taken up work in a garage, earning only Tk 1500 a month.

After paying TK 2500 as rent for the shanty, mother and son are left with pittance.

"I had also borrowed Tk 50000 for my son's medical treatment. That money has to be returned. So imagine what am I left with !", said Monowara in tears.

Halim succumbed to his injuries with auto-rickshaw driver Yakub Ali (40) when both were hit by bullets fired from an SUV at New Eskaton on the night of 13 Apr.

The SUV belonged to Awami league's woman MP Pinu Khan . Witnesses have said Khan's son Baktiar Alam Rony fired from his pistol under 'influence of drugs'. 

Rony is now in jail, charged with the murder of Yakub and Halim. 

Monowara filed the case but have not been able to follow it closely because of her workload and survival worries.

" The government is handling the case and I am happy that a MP's son has been arrested. It will be good to get justice but can't do much if it is denied. We don't have money to fight."

Yakub's wife Salma says his death ruined her life.

She has given up her rented accommodation because she cannot the TK 2000 for it anymore.

" I have lunch at my sister's place in the afternoon and stay with my daughter at night. I have no place to go but how long can they take my burden," says Salma (35). " I have no idea what will happen to me." 

Yakub was an auto-rickshaw driver working for the daily 'Janakantha'. 

" I have received Tk 15000 from them but that is not even enough to pay back my debts of Tk 70000, says Salma. 

"I am a heart patient and cannot go for hard labour but I am also not educated and can't get other jobs."