Patients flee Brahmanbaria drug rehabilitation center following inmate death and allegations of abuse
Photo Collected
BRAHMANBARIA — The Prayash drug rehabilitation and treatment center in Brahmanbaria remains under the supervision of the Department of Narcotics Control following the mass escape of its patients and the flight of its management staff. The center was abandoned by its directors after a patient died in custody, sparking a violent protest by local residents.
Authorities currently have no information regarding the whereabouts of the approximately 40 patients who fled the facility last Wednesday. The unrest began after 29-year-old patient Md. Forkan died, with his family alleging he was beaten to death by the facility’s staff. While center director Pramod Barman claimed the patient died due to natural causes while being transported to a hospital, family members and former patients contest this account.
Four patients who escaped the facility alleged they fled due to systemic abuse and fear for their lives. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they claimed that the center lacked qualified psychiatrists, doctors, or nurses, and that Forkan died as a result of physical torture followed by a lack of medical care. They further alleged that management threatened them prior to the escape.
The facility’s primary owner, Ikramul Haque, also known as Rubel, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts to contact him. His business partner, Pramod Barman, claimed that a general diary (GD) had been filed regarding the vandalism and the escape of patients, though he admitted he and the other directors have fled the premises.
Contradicting these claims, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Md. Shahidul Islam stated that the police have not received any complaint or GD from the rehabilitation center authorities. He confirmed that only an unnatural death case has been filed in connection with Forkan’s death. No formal criminal complaint has been lodged by the victim’s family with the police thus far.
The victim’s brother-in-law, Emon Hossain, stated that the family intends to pursue legal action through the court, alleging that the center’s directors are influential figures who have manipulated the local administration and police. Hossain further claimed that the deputy director of the District Department of Narcotics Control pressured other patients to state that Forkan died of natural causes.
Sajedul Hasan, Deputy Director of the Brahmanbaria Department of Narcotics Control, denied the allegations of interference. He stated that his department is overseeing the facility’s security and maintenance until structural damages caused by the vandalism are repaired. Hasan added that if any irregularities are proven during the investigation into Forkan’s death, the center’s license will be revoked.
The facility has faced previous allegations of misconduct. In August 2014, the center was implicated in the death of 30-year-old Atikul Islam, alias Shakil, whose body was allegedly left on the veranda of the Brahmanbaria General Hospital following his death in the facility’s custody. A legal case remains associated with that incident.
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