Bogura Awami League leader dies in Naogaon Jail: Family alleges torture

Jakir Hossain Nawab, a leader of the Awami League, whose activities are currently banned, has died in jail custody in Naogaon.

His family and fellow party leaders have alleged that he died of a stroke brought on by medical negligence and psychological torture, describing his death as a planned killing.

He died at Naogaon Sadar Hospital at around 11.45am on Tuesday, 3 November, while receiving treatment.

Nawab, 58, was an organising secretary of the Bogura district Awami League. He had also served as president of the Bogura district unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League and as the founding general secretary of the district unit of Swechchhasebak League.

Police arrested him on 20 June last year from the capital’s Vatara area. Since then, he had been held at Naogaon jail in connection with cases arising from the July uprising.

Repeated attempts to contact Ratna Roy, superintendent of Naogaon jail, by mobile phone were unsuccessful.

Mohammad Shahriar Alam Chowdhury, the jailer, told Views Bangladesh that Nawab fell ill inside the prison at 10.58am on Tuesday and was taken to Naogaon Sadar Hospital, where he died of a heart attack at 11.45am.

“We did not even know him personally. He was from Bogura but was held in Naogaon jail. The allegation that he was tortured is not true. His relatives may make various allegations, but there is no basis for them,” he said.

At least five Awami League leaders in Bogura, who requested anonymity for fear of arrest, said they had heard that Nawab had been subjected to systematic torture with the intention of killing him. They said they had learned this from his family members and fellow party activists.

Nawab’s son, Fahad, told Views Bangladesh by phone that his father had suffered from high blood pressure and other health problems.

“My father was not receiving proper medical treatment in custody. We repeatedly informed the prison authorities, but they did not arrange specialist treatment. He was even prevented from taking his regular medication in jail,” he said.

He further alleged that his father had been subjected to various forms of torture, particularly psychological harassment.

“My father suffered severe mental torture. These were the reasons he suffered a stroke and died,” Fahad said.

Masum Hossain
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