A Father's Pain: Reflections from a Young Boy's Memories now a University student - Sarja Cham

A Father's Pain: Reflections from a Young Boy's Memories now a University student - Sarja Cham

It all began in May 2006 when a grave incident unfolded. After finishing his work for the day, my father was apprehended without warning. We were unaware of his whereabouts, clueless about the destination he was being taken to. Little did we know that this arrest would forever change our lives.

Prior to his arrest, my father was in good health, but upon his return, he was tragically paralyzed. As he recounted the harrowing experience to me, he described being shackled and forcefully pushed down a flight of stairs, causing him to lose consciousness. When he regained awareness, he found himself confined within the confines of a prison cell. The exact duration of his detention remains uncertain, but he estimated it to be around a week.

Following this week of torment, my father was eventually released, and my mother went to retrieve him. However, she found him in a state of paralysis, rendered unable to regain his mobility. The cruel turn of events meant that he would never be able to work again, forever stripped of his ability to provide for our family. Sadly, his health continued to deteriorate, and he passed away in 2011.

This is the heart-wrenching tale of an arbitrary arrest and detention, a story marred by injustice and tragedy that altered the course of our lives forever.