Jubodal leader found dead after being reportedly picked up by security forces

A leader of Jatiotabadi Jubodal was found dead at a hospital with grave injury marks on his body hours after he was reportedly picked up by men claiming to be members of security forces in Cumilla on Friday (31 January), according to the victim's family members and the police.

The deceased, identified as Touhidul Islam, a resident of Italla village at Panchthubi union of Cumilla Sadar, said police and relatives. He was the convener of the Panchthubi unit of the BNP youth wing, his brother Abul Kamal confirmed to The Business Standard.

However, it could not be confirmed immediately exactly when Touhidur passed away.

Confirming the incident, Cumilla Police's Additional Superintendent (Sadar Circle) Mohammad Saiful Malik said, "His body is in the morgue of Cumilla Medical College Hospital. It has been sent for autopsy."

He couldn't immediately say how and when Touhidul died. "We will give details after the investigation is completed," he added.

Talking to TBS, Cumilla Medical College Hospital's Emergency Department In-Charge Farhad Ahmed Chowdhury said, "Police members arrived at the hospital with Touhidul Islam at around 12:30pm. He was quickly taken to the ICU. After an ECG, he was found to be dead."

Meanwhile, Touhid's brother Kalam alleged that at around 2:30am on Friday, three cars of a security force, along with a red-coloured car, came to their house.

They took Touhidul claiming that he had weapons in his possession, he said, adding, "My brother never had any weapon. Everyone in the community knows him well. Despite our repeated requests, they [security forces] took him away."

Kalam said later the Kotowali Police Station informed them at around 12:30pm that Touhid was "rescued from a place near Gomti Bilash on the bank of Gomti River and that he is now in the hospital".

Kalam further alleged, "We found him dead at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. His whole body bore marks of merciless beatings."

Touhidul, who also worked as a shipping agent employee at the Chittagong Port, had gone home to attend his father's Qulkhani, an Islamic ritual usually observed on the fourth day after the burial of a Muslim to pray for the salvation of the departed soul.

"My father passed away four days ago. We were mourning him," said Kalam.

According to a Prothom Alo report, Touhidul left behind a wife and four daughters. Citing Additional Superintendent Malik, the report also stated that Touhid was not accused in any case.