Fatema Akter, a 45-year-old assistant teacher from Chandpur, died on Sunday morning in a Dhaka hospital, ten days after being injured by a sound grenade during a teachers’ rally. The protest was held to demand the implementation of the tenth grade for primary teachers alongside two other key reforms.
Fatema had served at Jhinaiya Government Primary School in Motlob Uttar. She was the daughter of Suruj Molla and the wife of fellow schoolteacher D M Soleman. She was a mother of two children and a respected member of her community.
Her funeral took place in Thakurchar, Motlob Uttar, on Sunday night, followed by burial in the family graveyard. Teachers, students, parents, and local residents attended to pay their final respects.
Saiful Islam, a colleague from Amiyapur Government Primary School, Motlob Uttar, recalled the incident, stating, “She was traumatised by the sound grenade on 8 November at Shahbagh. Her condition deteriorated in hospital, and she was eventually admitted to ICU. She passed away at 10 am yesterday.”
Her husband, D M Soleman, said, “We are heartbroken. I never expected that my wife’s involvement in the movement would end in this way. We are now left to cope with this loss alone.”
The deaths have prompted renewed concern regarding the security of teachers participating in protests, the adequacy of medical support for injured demonstrators, and broader issues surrounding the protection of citizens during civil demonstrations. Local educational union leaders and police officials have confirmed her death.
Analysts suggest that this tragedy underscores the urgent need for safety protocols at public rallies and greater awareness among organisers and authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.