Faridpur BNP leader demands investigation into custodial death of student activist

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A local Bangladesh Chhatra League activist died in police custody in Faridpur on Sunday, sparking public outcry and demands for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Mirza Ishtiaq Ahmed, a resident of Madhukhali upazila, was taken into custody by Detective Branch (DB) officers on Saturday afternoon on allegations of drug possession. His family has alleged that officers assaulted him in front of his mother during the arrest. Ahmed later died while undergoing treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital on Sunday morning.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from local political figures, including Faridpur district BNP member secretary AKM Kibria. In a social media post, Kibria questioned the official police narrative, suggesting that the current law enforcement response closely mirrors the patterns seen under the previous administration. He emphasized that deaths in custody undermine the credibility of a democratic government and urged authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation to ensure accountability.

Responding to the allegations, Faridpur Superintendent of Police Nazrul Islam maintained that initial reports indicated Ahmed died from a brain hemorrhage. The police official categorically denied claims of physical abuse, stating that there were no visible injury marks on the deceased’s body and that he was not subjected to violence while in custody.

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The death has triggered significant unrest in the community. On Monday, residents staged a protest over the incident, blocking the Dhaka-Khulna highway for approximately 40 minutes. Prior to the victim’s funeral prayer, local BNP leaders addressed the crowd, characterizing the death as a homicide and demanding that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

Speaking further on the matter, Kibria stressed that mere administrative actions, such as the withdrawal or dismissal of officers, are insufficient. He maintained that a comprehensive investigation is required to uncover the truth and prevent such incidents from recurring, noting that the public expects a higher standard of accountability from the current administration than that of the past.