BOGURA – Four leaders of the Awami League have died in custody at the Bogura District Jail in the last 28 days, raising concerns about medical facilities and conditions in the prison.
The most recent death occurred yesterday when Abdul Matin Mithu, 65, a former chairman of Durgahata Union Parishad and the organising secretary of the proposed Gabtoli upazila Awami League committee, passed away around 9:00am.
Mithu, who had been arrested on November 3 in connection with a murder case and an explosives case, fell ill early in the morning and was rushed to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, according to Jailer Syed Shah Sharif. He reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Earlier, Shahidul Islam Ratan, general secretary of the Awami League’s Bogura town ward-14 unit, and Abdul Latif, treasurer of the Shibganj upazila Awami League, died in custody on November 11 and November 25, respectively.
On November 26, Shahadat Alam Jhunu, organising secretary of the Bogura district Awami League and former principal of Bogura Police Lines School and College, also passed away while in custody.
Concerns Over Health and Jail Facilities
The jailer noted that some of the deceased leaders had pre-existing health conditions and struggled to adjust to the jail environment. He added that the stress of incarceration might have contributed to their deteriorating health.
The deaths have highlighted a significant issue in the prison’s healthcare system: the jail lacks a permanent medical officer. In urgent cases, doctors from the civil surgeon’s office are called to provide treatment.
The series of deaths has sparked questions about the adequacy of medical facilities and the overall conditions within the jail, particularly for detainees with prior health concerns.