College student dies while fleeing after seeing police in Netrakona

A college student died after falling into a canal while attempting to flee upon seeing a police team in Netrakona on Tuesday afternoon (August 4).

The deceased was identified as Sabbir Sheikh, 19, a second-year student of Abu Abbas Degree College and son of local shopkeeper Nadim Sheikh of Mechuabazar in Netrakona town.

According to police, a nine-member Detective Branch (DB) team, led by Sub-Inspector Rajan Mia, was travelling by motorcycle to conduct an anti-narcotics operation when they noticed a group of young men gathered near the Harikhali Canal on the Netrakona-Amtala road.

Police said the group attempted to flee after spotting the officers. During the rush, several of them fell into the canal. While the others managed to swim ashore, Sabbir, who reportedly could not swim, drowned.

Local residents pulled him from the water before police rushed him to the 250-bed Netrakona District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr. Mazharul Amin said Sabbir was brought to the hospital at around 4:30 pm. An ECG examination confirmed he had died before arrival. He added that the exact cause of death would be determined after a post-mortem examination.

Sabbir's sister, Purnima Akter, said her brother had left his father's shop with a friend shortly before the incident. She claimed he had no criminal record or involvement in illegal activities and questioned the circumstances of his death.

"He was not an accused in any case and was not involved in any wrongdoing. We want a fair and impartial investigation," she said.

DB Inspector Debangshu Kumar Deb, who was outside the district on official duty, said that based on the information he had received so far, he did not believe police had acted improperly.

Additional Superintendent of Police Hafizul Islam, who oversees media affairs for the district police, said investigators were examining why the youths attempted to flee, whether there was any connection to narcotics, and the circumstances that led to Sabbir's death.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.