Education Minister Nahid visits student blinded by police tear gas shell

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has paid a visit to Siddiqur Rahman, a student of Government Titumir College who has lost eyesight after allegedly being hit by a tear gas shell fired by police.

Siddiqur Rahman, a third-year student of political science, is currently under treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Dhaka’s Agargaon.

The minister talked to Rahman’s relatives and doctors over his treatment on Sunday. Doctors said they were taking optimum care of Siddiqur.

On Thursday, students from seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University demonstrated in Shahbagh. Their demands included the announcement of exam schedule.

Police stopped the demonstrators when traffic in the area came to a halt. A clash erupted when the law enforcers fired tear gas shells and charged batons to disperse the protesters.

Maruf, a Titumir College student who was among the protesters with Siddiqur, said Siddiqur was injured when a tear gas shell hit him in the face.

Siddiqur went through surgery at the hospital on Saturday following which doctors said he would not be able the see again.