Tahir Zaman Priyo: Early demise of a promising youth

It was undoubtedly joyful news for a father that he would be starting a new job next month and could buy new toys and books for his four-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She would be thrilled to have her father around once every six months. However, this time, the father said goodbye to his little princess, that turns out to be a ‍‍`bid adieu‍‍` of life time.

Tahir Zaman Priyo, 30, was set to start his new job at "Gootipa" -- a lather goods producing start-up. A few days earlier, he had visited his village home in Rangpur to spend precious time with his princess, savoring every moment before he left for Dhaka. But who could have known that he would soon return in a coffin?

Tahir, a former Video Journalist for multimedia online news portal TheReport.live, was killed in a clash at Central Road area of the capital on July 19 during the students‍‍` protest demanding quota reforms in government jobs. 

His mother, Samsi Ara Zaman Koli, confirmed that she had received his only son‍‍`s body. 

Additionally, two other journalists were reported killed during six days of clashes centering the quota movement.

Tahir, who had chosen journalism as his profession, observed various recent movements on a freelance basis including quota movement.

He was also injured during violence on October 28 centering BNP rally while carrying out his professional duties. 

On January 10 of this year, Tahir shared an old photo as profile picture in Facebook with his daughter, Padmapriyo Parmita, accompanied by an emotional Bangla caption.

He wrote (translated into English), “My daughter Padmapriyo Parmita. She has turned 4 years old today, and a new chapter in her life begins tomorrow with her first day at school. As her father and mother, I carry the responsibilities of both roles being a single father. My past has been challenging, but I hope for a joyful future for us, Inshallah. Please pray for my daughter.”

Mentionable, Tahir‍‍`s last name, ‍‍`Priyo,‍‍` is subtly embedded within his daughter‍‍`s first name, Padmapriyo.

Tahir had a passion for creative pursuits such as painting and photography and had a keen interest in reviewing movies and series. He pursued a Diploma in Professional Photography from Pathshala-South Asian Media Institute.

He left TheReport.live just five months ago, having worked with the organization in two separate phases. He initially joined as a photojournalist in January 2021. Later, he resigned from his position as a video journalist in February 2024.

Mahabub Alam Shrabon, a former colleague and current Staff Reporter at TheReport.live, described Priyo as an exceptionally talented and intelligent individual, reflecting on their extensive experience working together.

The boy could handle a camera with great skill and had a passion for drawing. He was a chatty, endearing man and, above all, a dreamer who aspired to make a film about his country, Mahabub said.

"The movie will be beautiful. Just wait and see, Shrabon. You’ll definitely have a part in it," Tahir told Mahabub, as quoted by the latter. 

He went on saying, "Tahir was meticulous in his planning and had a fondness for flowers. He was playful, often sleepy, and conscientious, always picking up litter from the road and discarding it properly. I‍‍`ve never heard of him having a conflict with anyone. He was always smiling, living up to his name, and was cherished by everyone."

Tahir‍‍`s ability to draw people close with just a bit of love was truly remarkable, as Mahabub described.

As per close friends of Tahir, he was born to Abu Hena Mustafa Zaman and Samsi Ara Zaman Koly. The family resided in Rangpur city.

In addition to Tahir, two other journalists were reported killed during the violence centering quota movement. 

Hasan Mehedi, 28, a reporter for Dhaka Times, was identified from the morgue at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on July 19. 

Moreover, ATM Torab Hossain, a photojournalist for Sylhet‍‍`s local daily Jalalabad, was shot on July 20 and declared dead upon arrival at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Several samples of Tahir Zaman Priyo‍‍`s work published on TheReport.live‍‍`s YouTube handle: