Awami League Leader Who Remained Handcuffed Even in ICU Finds Final Release in Death

❐ Staff Reporter

Patuakhali District Awami League member Mizanur Rahman Monir, also known as Monir Khan, has died after being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the old burn unit of Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital for nearly two months.

He died at 3:25 pm on Wednesday, August 5. After his death, a photo of him in handcuffs while undergoing treatment in the ICU spread on social media and has once again come into the spotlight.

Mizanur Rahman, 48, was a resident of Bahalgachia village in Patuakhali Sadar Upazila.

He was the former vice chairman of the Sadar Upazila Parishad, former general secretary of the Sadar Upazila Jubo League, former organizing secretary of the district Jubo League, former member of the district Chhatra League and member of the district Awami League.

He also served as the Vice President of the Bangladesh Rural Development and Cooperative Federation.

According to family sources, a total of 8 cases were filed against him after his arrest in June last year. He was granted bail in the last case on July 30, 7 days before his death.

According to Mizanur Rahman’s nephew Siraj Munshi, he went into hiding fearing violence after the political upheaval of August 5, 2024. Later, on September 14 last year, he was arrested by the intelligence police from the Mintu Road area of ​​the capital.

He was accused in a total of 8 cases – six in Dhaka and two in Patuakhali Sadar. Although he was granted bail in several cases, he was in jail for about 11 months as he was shown arrested in subsequent cases. There, he was subjected to unspeakable torture. Siraj Munshi said that he fell ill due to physical and mental torture.

According to the family, Mizanur Rahman suffered a stroke caused by cerebral hemorrhage while in prison on June 9 due to his critical physical condition. After that, the prison authorities admitted him to the ICU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Although he was granted bail on July 30 while undergoing treatment, he continued to receive treatment in the hospital as his physical condition deteriorated.

When his condition deteriorated further, he was admitted to the ICU of DMCH’s Critical Care Medicine Department on June 14 and was put on life support two days later. After being treated in the ICU for almost two months, he passed away on Wednesday afternoon.

Even while undergoing treatment, the handcuffs were not removed from his hands. When a photo of him wearing handcuffs on his right hand went viral on social media, it sparked public outrage and widespread criticism. Questions were raised in various quarters about the matter.

Although no statement or response has been heard from the country’s human rights organizations regarding this incident, netizens have questioned the responsibility of domestic and foreign organizations that used to make statements like ‘water is a source of trouble’ during the Awami League government.

Family members said he was handcuffed for about a month after being admitted to the hospital.

Mizanur Rahman’s wife, Salma Jahan, who is the chairman of Kalikapur Union Parishad and organizing secretary of the district Krishak League, said that within a few days of being admitted to the hospital, her husband lost his memory and could not even recognize his family members.

When doctors said the patient’s chances of recovery were very slim, the police officers on duty removed his handcuffs. However, by then, his condition had reached a critical stage, the family said.

Last week, his mother, Matowara Begum, broke down in tears when she visited her son in front of the ICU. At that time, she told media personnel that her son no longer recognized her.

Mizanur Rahman’s uncle Abdul Kalam Azad said his funeral prayers were held at a field in Patuakhali Sadar Upazila at 10 am on Thursday. He was later buried in the family graveyard.