Magura bullet-hit girl’s 2nd birthday today

Today is the 2nd birthday of Suraiya, who received bullet injuries while in her mother’s womb during a Jubo League factional clash in Magura on July 23, 2015. The parents of the girl are worried thinking about her future as her physical growth seems to be unlikely compared to other children in the society. While this correspondent visited Suraiya on Saturday, she was noticed in the lap of her mother, Nazma Begum, in the house yard. Nazma said: “Though we are happy and arranged everything to celebrate the day according to our ability, at the same time we are worried thinking about her future as she cannot speak, walk and move like a normal child.” “She lost an eye after being hit by a bullet in my womb, is now losing vision in the other eye too,” she also said. “She has been recommended regular treatment and checkups, but we are unable to afford the treatment cost,” the mother added. “Doctors at Bangladesh Eye Hospital in Dhaka prescribed regular medication for Suraiya. But I do not have the ability to continue her treatment due to financial crisis,” Suraiya’s father Bachchu Bhuiyan said. She was also having other physical complications, Bachchu said, adding that Suraiya was unable to walk and speak though she should have been doing these at this age. He said that after the incident, the government, different organisations and individuals visited the house and extended financial support for the family. “But no one comes to see us or asks about the wellbeing of Suraiya now,” the father said. Earlier on July 23, 2015,eight-month pregnant Nazma was shot in her abdomen during an attack by a faction of Magura Jubo League on their rival faction in Doarpar area of Magura town. The attack also left one killed. A bullet pierced through the unborn baby’s right shoulder and also injured her right eye. Miraculously, the baby survived after being delivered following a two-hour caesarean on her mother at Magura General Hospital. Nazma Khatun also survived the accident. The baby was sent to the DMCH on July 26 without her mother as her condition was critical. Responding to doctors’ advice Nazma was brought to the DMCH on July 30 from Magura General Hospital to breastfeed her baby as the newborn needed it the most to survive.