Economy
Victims of Pellet Guns Suffer Permanent Eye Damage During Protests
Md. Bappi Hossain, a 19-year-old protester, was shot by police on July 19 during the Anti-Discrimination Students movement in Rayerbazar, Dhaka. The shotgun pellets struck both his eyes, with three lodged in his left and two in his right. Despite undergoing three surgeries at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, known as the Eye Hospital, Bappi remains blind. His mother, Maryam Begum, revealed that 19 shotgun pellets are still embedded in his body. Doctors have informed her that Bappi will never regain his sight, though he continues to hold on to a slim hope of recovery.
Rahmatullah Sarkar Sabir, 26, a movement coordinator from Barishal BM College, was similarly injured during a clash with police on August 4. Four pellets hit his eyes—three in the left and one in the right. Despite surgery, his left eye has sustained severe damage, with doctors cautioning that removing the remaining pellet would mean sacrificing the eye itself. While his right eye has partially recovered, Rahmatullah has lost vision in his left eye.
According to the National Institute of Ophthalmology, between July 17 and August 31, 611 people were admitted with eye injuries, the majority caused by metal pellets. Of these, 28 have permanently lost sight in both eyes, while 510 have lost vision in one eye. As of September 12, 46 patients remain in the hospital’s specialised care unit, all of whom were injured by pellet guns.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a resident surgeon at the institute, described the devastating impact of the pellets. “The eye is extremely delicate. When a pellet penetrates the retina and reaches the jelly-like substance inside, it tears the retina and compromises the structure of the eye. In many cases, the damage is beyond repair, leaving little chance of recovery.”
Pellet guns, often referred to as “birdshot” due to their original use in hunting, fire a wide spread of small metal pellets. Each round can contain 300-600 pellets, making the impact unpredictable and indiscriminate. Although authorities claim the guns are a non-lethal alternative to live bullets, the overwhelming result is severe injury, particularly blindness. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the use of such weapons, calling them inhumane and inappropriate for law enforcement.
Both organizations have previously demanded a ban on pellet guns in Indian-administered Kashmir, where in 2016 over 1,100 individuals were partially or fully blinded during protests. Amnesty International highlighted the lasting trauma inflicted by the weapons, with victims suffering not only physical impairment but also psychological distress and social consequences. Many injured protesters were left unable to work or continue their studies due to vision loss.
As Bangladesh’s interim government explores reforms in policing, the use of pellet guns for crowd control warrants serious attention. Banning such harmful ammunition could prevent further tragedies like those seen in recent months.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
