'Baba, I am trapped, save me' - the last request a father could not keep

"Baba (father), I am trapped, save me,"- it was the last request of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Lamisha Islam, who was burnt to death in the Bailey Road fire on Thursday, on the phone to her father, Additional Deputy Inspector General (headquarters) of police Nasirul Islam Shamim.

Unfortunately, the father could do nothing for his eldest daughter, a second-year mechanical engineering department student of Buet.

Lamisha’s paternal uncle Rafiqul lsam Sumon relayed this at their village home Jhiltuli in Faridpur headquarters, where a gloomy atmosphere has been prevailing since the news of her death was heard.

Sumon said Lamisha and friends went to the restaurant to have dinner after visiting Boi Mela on Thursday night.

As the fire broke out, Lamisha called her father and said: "Baba (father), I am trapped, save me," after which there was no more interaction with her. Despite several attempts to contact her by her family, her mobile was found switched off, said the uncle.

Lamisha's body was brought to their village home, Jhiltuli house, around 10:45am. The atmosphere became heavy with the cries of family members and relatives. She was buried at Alipur graveyard after a Namaz-e-Janaza at Chawkbazar Jame Mosque, followed by Jumma prayers. 

Lamisha's mother, Afrina Mahmud Mitu, died in 2018. Nasirul Islam used to live with his two daughters at the Officers Club quarters in Dhaka.

After passing SSC and HSC examinations from Viqarunnisa School and Holy Cross College, she was admitted into the Buet. Her younger sister Raisa has been sitting for the SSC examination from the Viqarunnisa School this year.

Source: UNB