During the Rana Plaza tragedy, Nawshad Hasan Himu alias Himu Himaloy, was actively involved in rescue operation and brought out several people by amputating their limbs. Later, he also worked at the hospital, serving the injured. It’s believed that the grisly memories of Rana Plaza haunted him.
Reportedly, unable to bear the trauma, he took his life on Wednesday (Apr 24). He doused kerosene on his body and then set himself on fire.
Himu used to stay in Shyamoli in 2013 and after hearing of the Rana Plaza tragedy went to visit the spot. Witnessing the misery of trapped people, he began helping as a volunteer.
His elder sister, Afroz Hiya, said, “He always helped people and at one point, became frustrated and a patient of depression.”
He was also active in demanding punishment for war criminals and the preservation of the Sunderbans.
Himu’s relatives and friends say that the Rana Plaza incident traumatized him and compelled him to take his own life.
Zonayed Saki of Gonosanghati Andolon, says: “Himu wanted social change but when he did not see that, became depressed.”
Psychologist and director of National Mental Health Institute, Professor Dr. Mohit Kamal, said, “This is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD; some gruesome detail of the Rana Plaza was possibly etched in his mind which tormented him.”
A person can choose to commit suicide when s/he has a major depressive disorder, he said and added: “If his PTSD had been treated Himu would not have committed suicide.”
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