Another Awami League Leader Dies in Prison, Raising Questions

News Desk

The deaths of Awami League leaders in prison continue to mount. The latest incident involves a Jubo League leader from Nilphamari district, who died early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Mominur Islam, 50, was a remand prisoner (3535/24) at Nilphamari District Jail. He was the son of Matiar Rahman from Dewantarai village in the Purba Shimulbari area of Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila. Islam was the former president of Ward 4 Jubo League in Mirganj Union.

He had been in custody since December 12 in connection with two cases alleging sabotage during anti-government protests in July and August.

Prison authorities stated that Islam suffered from asthma. His condition deteriorated on January 7, prompting his transfer to Nilphamari Sadar Hospital. On January 8, he was shifted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, where he died around 4 a.m. on Tuesday.

Family members disputed the claim that Islam had asthma. They alleged that he was forced to sleep on a cold floor without blankets, despite repeated requests to prison officials. They accused authorities of deliberately subjecting him to inhumane conditions and demanded justice for what they described as a “premeditated killing.”

The body was handed over to the family after an autopsy at Rangpur Medical College morgue. Family members expressed anger and called for accountability.

The recurring deaths of Awami League leaders in custody have raised public concern. Reports by human rights organizations have flagged the issue, noting alarming trends.

A recent report by the Law and Arbitration Center (ASK) documented 65 deaths of prisoners in various jails nationwide, including 23 convicts and 42 remand prisoners. The report specifically highlighted incidents in Bogura Jail, where four Awami League leaders reportedly died of cardiac arrest between November 11 and December 9:
– Shahadat Alam, 57, organizational secretary of the Bogura District Awami League (November 26).
– Abdul Latif, 67, treasurer of Shibganj Upazila Awami League (November 25).
– Shahidul Islam, 58, general secretary of Ward 15 of Bogura Municipality Awami League (November 11).
– Abdul Matin alias Mithu, 65, member of Gabtali Upazila Awami League (December 9).

The ASK report questioned the official explanation of “cardiac arrest” in these cases and called for an impartial investigation.

On January 10, Sheikh Zahirul Islam, 46, general secretary of the Shramik League in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila, died in custody at Gazipur District Jail. Prison authorities also cited “cardiac arrest” as the cause.