Another Death in Prison: Jubo League Leader Allegedly Killed Through Medical Negligence

❐ Staff Reporter

The death toll of leaders of the Awami League and its affiliates in prison is increasing. Reports from various human rights organizations have revealed that at least 60-70 leaders, activists and people associated with the Awami League government have died since August 5 last year due to brutal torture, lack of medical treatment, and inhumane conditions in prisons.

In continuation of this, Mizanur Rahman Mizan (48), senior joint convener of Basail Upazila Jubo League in Tangail, has died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. He died at Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital.

He breathed his last today, Saturday, October 4th, at noon.

Mizanur Rahman Mizan was a resident of Kashil Purbapara village in Basail upazila of Tangail and had been serving as the senior joint convener of the upazila Jubo League for a long time.

According to several sources, Basail Police Station arrested him from Nakasim area of ​​the upazila about four months ago. Later, he was sent to jail through the court on the pretext of being arrested in a case filed by Tangail Sadar Police Station.

Mizan suddenly fell ill on September 17 while in prison. He was first admitted to Tangail Medical College Hospital. When his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital the next day.

His bail hearing was held at the Tangail Judge’s Court on September 29. At that time, the court rejected Mizan’s bail application despite submitting the necessary medical documents citing his serious illness. His next bail hearing was scheduled for October 7.

Jubo League leader Mizanur Rahman

His family and political colleagues allege that Mizan was deliberately killed by negligence in medical treatment. Tensions are rising in the area over the incident.

Prison sources say that when Jubo League leader Mizanur Rahman Mizan, who was imprisoned in a case, suddenly fell ill and was transferred from Kashimpur Prison to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment, he died there while undergoing treatment.

However, his family and activists are reluctant to accept his death as normal. They allege that Mizanur Rahman was completely healthy in prison. He was subjected to inhuman torture and oppression in prison. Along with this, medical care was neglected, which resulted in his death.

Relatives said that he had marks of beating all over his body. His hands and feet were bruised. The wounds from the torture were still fresh. This means that he had been tortured repeatedly on the same wounds.

Family members questioned how someone could be tortured while being kept safe inside the prison.

A statement from the Basail Upazila Jubo League said, “Our popular leader Mizanur Rahman Mizan was killed in prison. This is a cold-blooded murder. We strongly condemn and protest this incident.”

Family members complained that when Mizan was admitted to the hospital, they were not allowed to communicate with him and were not given clear information about his physical condition.

Tangail District Jail Superintendent Md. Shahidul Islam said, “When he fell ill in prison, he was first taken to Tangail Medical College. When his condition was serious, he was sent to Dhaka Medical College. The cause of death is still unknown. He was under the jurisdiction of Keraniganj Central Jail since he went to the medical college.”

Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities said that inmate Mizanur was brought to the hospital in a sick condition and doctors tried to treat him as per protocol. The exact cause of death can be ascertained after the autopsy.

Meanwhile, news of Mizanur Rahman’s death has spread grief and anger among his supporters in Basail Upazila. They have demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the incident and urged the government to bring those responsible to exemplary punishment. They have also demanded the formation of a high-level investigation committee to identify those involved in the incident.

Mizanur Rahman’s body has been kept at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police said further legal action will be taken after receiving the autopsy report.