Gaibandha independent candidate found unconscious in Rangpur

Police recovered Azizar Rahman, an independent candidate from Gaibandha-3 Palashbari–Sadullapur constituency, in an unconscious state in Rangpur. He was found on Friday night, January 16, on the highway beside a primary school in the Cadet College area adjacent to Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur city.

Police said Azizar Rahman had been lying unconscious by the roadside from early morning until evening on Friday. Despite remaining there for a long time, no one initially came forward to rescue him.

Azizar Rahman is a resident of Ghegarbazar Khoda Baksh village in Sadullapur upazila and the son of Razzab Uddin Mondol.

After being rescued, Azizar Rahman said he had submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Gaibandha-3 constituency. Although his nomination was initially cancelled during scrutiny, he regained his candidacy through an appeal. After completing the appeal process in Dhaka, he left for Gaibandha on a Pinky Paribahan bus bound for Rangpur at around 10:30 pm on Thursday.

He said, “When the bus stopped in the Sirajganj area, I got down along with other passengers. A few passengers sitting nearby gave me a boiled egg to eat. After eating it, I remember nothing.”

He alleged that at around 6:00 am on Friday, the bus driver and supervisor assumed he was dead and left him by the roadside near the Cadet College area in Rangpur city. At that time, Tk 4,000–5,000 in cash and a mobile phone he was carrying were stolen.

He added that he was physically extremely weak and unable to speak clearly.

Residents of the Modern Mor area in Rangpur city said pedestrians and locals did not take any initiative to rescue him throughout the day, assuming he was mentally unstable or seriously ill. At around 6:00 pm, a traffic police member was informed, who then notified Tajhat Police Station. Police later arrived, rescued him, took him to the station, and provided primary medical treatment.

Azizar Rahman’s elder son Ashiqur Rahman said, “We were worried as we could not contact my father. When the phone was finally answered, unknown individuals demanded money and threatened to kill him. At around 2:30 am, Tk 2,500 was sent via bKash.”

He alleged that it was a planned attempt to kill his father and said a written complaint had been filed with Tajhat Police Station.

Officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Ataur Rahman said, “Police are investigating the incident. Initially, it appears that he fell victim to a drugging gang.”