Chuadanga BNP leader dies during interrogation in custody

Shamsuzzaman Dablu, general secretary of the Jibannagar municipal unit of the BNP in Chuadanga, has died in custody, triggering protests by party supporters and local residents.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jibannagar Police Station Solaiman Sheikh said Dablu’s body was being kept at the upazila health complex and preparations were underway for an autopsy.

No case has been filed so far, he added.

Jibannagar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Mokbul Hossain told The Daily Star that Dablu was brought to the health complex at 12:16am.

“He was brought in dead,” he said.

Inside the health complex, Dablu’s wife, Jesmin Nahar, waited beside her husband’s body, alleged that the killing was planned.

“Army personnel picked him up from his pharmacy and killed him,” she claimed.

Local Sramik Dal leader Shafiqul Islam Khoka said Dablu owned Hafiza Pharmacy, located opposite the health complex.

He alleged that around 10:15pm, army personnel picked Dablu up from the shop and took him about 50 metres away to the BNP party office.

Khoka showed journalists a room inside the office and claimed Dablu was assaulted there for nearly two hours. He also alleged that a piece of cloth found in the room had been forced into Dablu’s mouth during the assault.

While talking to The Daily Star, Chuadanga Superintendent of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam said that army officials told police that they conducted a raid and recovered a weapon from him.
“They told me that Shamsuzzaman fell physically ill during interrogation,” he said.
“Basically, he died in their custody. He was found dead after he was taken to hospital,” he added. 

Chuadanga Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Kamal Hossain told Prothom Alo the army had informed the administration that BNP leader Dablu died of a "heart attack".

“However, local people are claiming that it was a killing. If a killing is proven, we will inform the highest level of the government to take legal action,” the DC said.

Chuadanga district BNP president Mahmud Hasan Khan told The Daily Star that he was at the scene and would speak later.

Following the incident, protesters set fire to the road in front of the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex and blocked the hospital’s main gate, chanting slogans demanding justice and alleging the involvement of army personnel.

Addressing the agitated crowd outside the health complex, Chuadanga Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mohammad Kamal Hossain said the autopsy would determine whether it was a killing.

“If anyone is found guilty, they will be punished,” he said.