Grief hangs heavy in the air at the remote village of College Para in Rangamati's Rajasthali upazila, where Kangholapru Marma and Krapruma Marma are mourning the loss of their grandson.
They weep holding a photo of their 14-year-old grandson Ukya Ching Marma, who died of burn injuries while undergoing treatment at the city's National Burn Institute around 2:30am on early Tuesday.
The seventh-grade student was in his classroom at Milestone School and College when the FT-7 BGI training fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed into the building.
Ukya Ching Marma's parents and grandparents spent a lot of money sending him to Dhaka, hoping that with a good education, the child would have a better life.
"I never imagined I would lose him like this. He was such a polite, and handsome boy. He was very smart. That's why we sent him to Dhaka. But now he returns in a coffin. So many memories are tied to him. I have nothing to console myself," said a grieving Kangholapru Marma, 75.
Ukya Ching Marma sustained severe burns when the BAF fighter jet crashed into the school building and went up in flames. He was immediately admitted to the city's National Burn Institute for treatment but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Ukya Ching Marma's parents rushed to Dhaka as soon as they received the news. His father told Stream over the mobile phone that they left for their home with their son's body in the early hours of Tuesday. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at their family cremation ground in Kyungdong Para, Bangalhalia.
Ukya Ching Marma's grandmother Krapruma Marma, 65, said, "I raised my grandson on my lap. Even though they lived in Bandarban, he would always come to visit us during holidays. He was so playful and full of mischief. We simply can't accept his death. At first, we thought he might have only suffered minor injuries. But, when we heard that his condition was critical, it was not possible for me to hold myself together."
On Monday (July 21), a BAF fighter aircraft crashed into the building of Milestone School & College in Dhaka, causing numerous casualties. Ukaching Marma was among those who were present at the school premises at the time of the accident. He suffered severe burns over most of his body due to the incident.
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