CHUADANGA, Jan 13: The death of a local BNP leader in army custody has sent shockwaves through Jibannagar, Chuadanga, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his sudden demise and prompting protests across the town.
Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 50, general secretary of Chuadanga pouro BNP and a resident of Hospitalpara, died around midnight on Monday after being taken into custody during an army operation near Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex.
According to reports, Dablu was at a medicine shop when army personnel approached him at around 10:30 pm. Within two hours of being taken, he had died.
Family members and BNP leaders allege that Dablu's death was the result of torture, a claim that has intensified anger in the area.
"My brother has been murdered," said Shariful Islam Kajol, Dablu's brother.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of Chuadanga district BNP and candidate for Chuadanga-2, said, "BNP leaders and activists are being tortured under the pretext of operations. The intensity of the torture was so severe that Shamsuzzaman could not survive."
The army, however, maintains that Dablu fell ill suddenly during questioning and died of a stroke.
A foreign pistol and four rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered from him during the operation, which the army described as part of a routine effort to recover arms.
Chuadanga district Superintendent of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam said that Dablu was taken to the hospital after falling ill, where doctors declared him dead. "Lieutenant Colonel Imran of the army informed us of the details of the incident," he said.
The postmortem was conducted on Tuesday morning at the site by Jibannagar Upazila Executive Officer Md Al Amin, in the presence of police.
Meanwhile, protests by BNP leaders and activists continued in front of the Upazila Health Complex, prompting the deployment of additional police to maintain order. �"UNB
