Panic grips fugitives as 4 AL men die in Bogura jail within a month

Four Awami League leaders have died while in custody in Bogura jail within the span of a month. These incidents have raised concerns and caused significant distress among Awami League leaders, with many fearing for their lives if send to jail. According to jail authorities, the deceased leaders succumbed to illnesses caused by mental stress and anxiety. They were all detained in connection with cases related to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

On Monday (December 9) morning, Abdul Matin Mithu, an Awami League leader in custody, passed away while undergoing treatment at Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (SZMC) Hospital.

Mithu, 65, was the organizational secretary of the proposed committee of the Gabtali upazila Awami League and a former chairman of the Durgahata Union Parishad. He had been arrested on November 3 in a murder and explosives case and sent to Bogura district jail.

Syed Shah Sharif, the jail superintendent of Bogura, stated that Mithu fell ill late Sunday night. He was admitted to SZMC Hospital, where he later passed away. The cause of death was reported as a heart attack.

Earlier, on November 26, Shahadat Alam Jhunu, the organizational secretary of Bogura district Awami League and a former principal of Bogura Police Lines School and College, died in custody. He had been arrested on August 24 and subsequently jailed. On November 26, Jhunu fell ill around 11:45 AM in jail. He was taken to SZMC Hospital and later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, but he died en route in Sirajganj.

On November 25, Abdul Latif, the treasurer of the Shibganj Upazila Awami League, died while in custody. He fell ill on November 23 and was taken to SZMC Hospital, where he passed away during treatment.

On November 11, Shahidul Islam, the general secretary of the 15th Ward Awami League in Bogura town, also died in custody after falling ill.

Several fugitive Awami League leaders from Bogura, speaking anonymously, expressed their growing fear of imprisonment following the deaths of their peers. They are apprehensive about what might happen to them if arrested and detained.

Youth League and Volunteer League members currently in custody have also shared concerns about their treatment in jail. Some revealed that even after securing bail in their cases, they face new charges before they can leave the jail premises. These persistent legal and mental pressures are causing many detainees to fall ill.

When contacted, Bogura Jail Superintendent Faruk Ahmed told Views Bangladesh that Awami League leaders are overly stressed. “We advise them not to overthink, but they still succumb to stress, which leads to health issues. We provide them with the best possible medical care without negligence,” he stated.

“Even then, if someone dies, it is the will of the Creator. There is no negligence on our part in their treatment,” he added.