Journalist Debashish Dutta, his wife Afsana Sharmeen and their young son Swarnashish Dutta had been expected to return home to Kushtia after completing medical treatment in India. Instead, they returned in coffins after being killed in a devastating hotel fire in Kolkata.

The bodies of six Bangladeshis killed in a fire at Hotel Shikha Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata, West Bengal, arrived in Bangladesh through the Benapole land port at around 5:00pm on Saturday.

Among the deceased were journalist Debashish and three members of his family, including his father-in-law Akram Hossain.

After completion of the necessary legal and administrative procedures, the bodies were taken to Kushtia.

At around 10:30pm, three of the bodies were taken to Debashish’s rented home in Aruapara, while the bodies of his wife Afsana Sharmeen and her father Akram Hossain were taken to their family home in Thana Para.

Earlier in the afternoon, relatives, friends and fellow journalists had gathered at the Benapole border to receive Debashish and his family.

They had expected to welcome their colleague home, exchange greetings and hear about his treatment. Instead, they received him in a coffin.

The family had been scheduled to return home on Wednesday after completing their medical treatment. Four days later, they returned to Kushtia, but not alive.

Grief engulfs Kushtia home

When the bodies arrived at the Aruapara residence, the atmosphere was filled with grief. Relatives, colleagues and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects, while mourners could be heard crying inside the house.

Debashish’s father, Dilip Dutta, broke down after seeing the bodies of his son, daughter-in-law and grandson.

“There are no words to express the pain of losing my son, daughter-in-law and grandson,” he said.

The family had depended largely on Debashish’s income. His father said the loss of three family members at once had left the family facing an uncertain future.

“Debashish was the one who supported our family. Now we are completely helpless,” he said, urging the government to stand by the bereaved family.

Debashish’s mother, Swapna Dutta, was also inconsolable. Relatives repeatedly tried to comfort her, but the loss of her son, daughter-in-law and grandson left the family overwhelmed with grief.

Seven-year-old daughter faces unimaginable loss

The most heartbreaking scene was that of the couple’s surviving seven-year-old daughter, Mahima Dutta.

Too young to fully comprehend the tragedy, Mahima repeatedly asked to see her father, mother and younger brother.

Only days earlier, she had been surrounded by her parents and sibling. Now, she faces growing up without all three.

Her grief added to the anguish of relatives gathered at the family home, highlighting the devastating impact of the tragedy on those left behind.

Family members laid to rest according to separate religious rites

Following a family decision, the four deceased members were given their final rites according to their respective religious traditions late on Saturday night.

At around 2:00am, journalist Debashish Dutta and his son Swarnashish were cremated according to Hindu rites at the Kushtia Maha Shmashan. The father and son were later laid to rest side by side.

About an hour later, at around 3:00am, Debashish’s wife Afsana Sharmeen and her father Akram Hossain were buried according to Muslim rites at the Kushtia Municipal Cemetery.

Although the four family members were given their final farewells according to different religious traditions, their deaths brought together relatives, colleagues and well-wishers in shared grief.

Journalists pay final respects

After the bodies arrived in Kushtia, local journalists, colleagues, relatives and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects to Debashish and his family.

Dr Amanur Aman, editor and publisher of The Dainik Kushtia, described Debashish’s death as extremely difficult to accept.

“With the death of a journalist, we have not only lost a colleague; his entire family has fallen victim to a terrible tragedy,” he said.

He expressed particular concern for Mahima, who has lost her father, mother and brother, and urged all concerned to stand by the bereaved family.

Almamun Sagar, former president of the Kushtia Press Club, said the bodies of Debashish and his family members had been given their final rites according to the family’s decision and their respective religious traditions.

He called for prompt government assistance and compensation for the bereaved families.

Kushtia Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Harun-or-Rashid said the district administration had provided Tk25,000 to each of the four deceased family members’ households, totalling Tk100,000.