The recent deaths of Awami League (AL) leaders in police custody have sparked outrage across Bangladesh, raising concerns over the interim government’s treatment of opposition political figures. Critics argue that the government’s actions reflect a deliberate strategy to suppress the AL, undermining democratic principles and perpetuating an authoritarian rule.
In a grim development, Bogura district Awami League Organising Secretary Shahadat Alam Jhunu passed away yesterday while in jail custody. Jhunu, a respected figure and former principal of Police Lines School and College in Bogura, was arrested on August 24 on charges of murder, vandalism, and possessing explosives. These charges, like many others against AL leaders, were filed following the July protests, raising suspicions of politically motivated persecution.
Jail authorities reported that Jhunu suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while in the jail hospital. Despite being transferred to Bogura Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) and later referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, he succumbed to his condition en route in Sirajganj.
Jhunu’s death marks the third such incident in November alone. On November 25, Abdul Latif, the Shibganj upazila AL treasurer, also died while in custody. Latif fell ill two days prior and passed away while undergoing treatment at SZMCH. Earlier, on November 11, Shahidul Islam, a ward-level general secretary of the Awami League in Bogura town, met a similar fate.
While jail authorities, including Bogura Jail Superintendent Faruk Ahmed, attribute these deaths to pre-existing health conditions, critics question the credibility of such claims. “They came here with various diseases. We tried to provide them with better treatment,” Faruk said, downplaying the systemic issues surrounding these deaths.
A local AL leader, speaking anonymously, called the deaths “mysterious” and accused jail authorities of negligence. “Three AL leaders have died in jail custody within two weeks. This cannot be a coincidence. It reflects a deeper malaise within the system,” he said.
A Broader Suppression of Democracy?
The deaths of these leaders are symptomatic of what many describe as the interim government’s broader assault on democracy. Thousands of AL leaders and activists are reportedly facing fabricated charges, including murder and terrorism. Critics allege that these cases are tools of political repression, designed to incapacitate the party and erode its influence ahead of future elections.
Under this regime, political dissent appears to be criminalized, with opposition figures facing relentless harassment. The deaths of prominent leaders in custody only underscore the deteriorating state of human rights in the country.
Bangladesh’s democratic institutions have long been under strain, but the current interim government’s actions suggest a deliberate effort to cement authoritarian control. By targeting the Awami League—a party with deep roots in Bangladesh’s liberation history—the government seeks to dominate the political landscape unchallenged.
Call for Accountability
These incidents demand urgent attention from both national and international stakeholders. The deaths of AL leaders in custody highlight not only the immediate failures of prison management but also the broader erosion of democratic norms in Bangladesh.
Human rights organizations, political activists, and the global community must pressure the interim government to ensure accountability and restore democratic processes. Without systemic reforms, the cycle of oppression and injustice threatens to further destabilize the nation, leaving Bangladesh’s democracy hanging by a thread.
The question remains: how many more must perish in the fight for political freedom before justice prevails?