Teargas shell-hit Siddiqur comes back 'without eyesight' after treatment in India

College student Siddiqur Rahman, who lost his eyesight after being hit by a police teargas shell, has returned from India after treatment, but 'without his vision'.

"He can't see anything in either of his eyes. He only feels sorts of light in the left eye, but that does not mean he can see anything," Nawab Ali, Siddiqur's brother who accompanied him to Chennai, told bdnews24.com on return.

He came back from Chennai on a Maldivian Airlines flight which landed at the Shahjalal International Airport Friday afternoon.

The Government Titumir College student was hit a by a teargas shell straight in the face when the police fired it to disperse a group of students who took to the street on Jul 20 at Shahabgh intersection in the capital demanding an exam schedule.

A departmental investigation by police found 'ineptness' of their members caused the injury.

The government took responsibility for Siddiqur's treatment and sent him to India on Jul 27 for better treatment. The health minister also promised him a job.

At the airport, Siddiqur told journalists that he would like to continue his studies.

"I don't want to be a subject of neglect by anyone," he said. His eyes were covered by dark sunglasses while as he spoke to reporters.

As a show of protest to the police brutality and solidarity with Siddiqur, a group of Titumir College students got themselves blindfolded when they received their friend at the airport.

"Our friend Siddiqur will never see the light of this world again. We are trying to feel his pain by covering our eyes with black clothes," Shah Ali, a friend of Siddiqur, told bdnews24.com.

The students put forward a seven-point charter of demand including ensuring a job for Siddiqur, withdrawal of cases against the students, and punishment of the police personnel responsible for his injury.

Dr Jahidul Ahsan, an assistant professor at the National Institute of Opthalmology and Hospital, was also with Siddiqur during his treatment in India.