Protests Erupt in Faridpur Over Custodial Death of Student Activist
Photo Collected
Protests erupted in Faridpur’s Madhukhali upazila on Monday as residents blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway to demand justice for the death of Mirza Ishtiaq Ahmed, a local activist who died while in the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of police. The demonstration, which lasted over 30 minutes, saw hundreds of commuters stranded before the victim’s family requested the crowd to clear the road.
The tension escalated after the body of 27-year-old Ishtiaq was returned from the Faridpur Diabetic Hospital morgue to his home in the West Gondardia neighborhood. Angered by the circumstances surrounding his death, local residents—including a significant number of women—occupied the highway near the Piaj Bazar area. While police initially attempted to disperse the protesters, they were met with strong resistance and eventually withdrew.
বিজ্ঞাপন
During the funeral prayers held later at the Madhukhali Central Eidgah, local political leaders characterized the death as a homicide and demanded immediate accountability. High-ranking officials from the local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including President Sahabuddin Ahmed, General Secretary Abdul Alim, and Municipal President Haidar Ali Molla, urged authorities to ensure a transparent investigation. Sahabuddin Ahmed emphasized that while law enforcement has the authority to pursue suspects, extrajudicial violence is unacceptable, stating that no citizen should lose their life due to alleged police torture.
Following the funeral, Ishtiaq was laid to rest at his family graveyard. The incident, which has drawn significant public scrutiny, stems from his detention on Saturday afternoon. Family members have alleged that Ishtiaq was physically assaulted by DB officers in front of his mother during his arrest. He subsequently died at Faridpur Medical College Hospital on Sunday morning while still in police custody.
বিজ্ঞাপন
In response to the growing public outcry, the Faridpur district police have initiated an internal investigation. District Superintendent of Police Nazrul Islam confirmed the formation of a three-member inquiry committee, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Fatema Islam, alongside two other senior officers. The committee has been tasked with submitting a formal report within seven working days. According to Fatema Islam, the investigation is already underway, and the committee aims to conclude its findings within the specified timeframe.
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