Death after arrest sparks protest in Nilphamari

Enamul Haq

The people withdrew the siege following local lawmaker Amjad Hossen Sarkar's assurance of proper investigation. Amjad is a lawmaker from Kishoregang-Saidpur constituency. The victim, Enamul Haq, son of late Jan Mamud of Katgari village, is reportedly a BNP activist.

Rangpur Additional Police Superintendent Harun-ur-Rashid also rushed to Taraganj thana and suspended Sub-inspector (SI) Bazlur Rahman and Constable Alimuddin. Additional police were also sent there.

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According to Taraganj police, Enamul was arrested by SI Bazlur Rahman of Taraganj thana on the Eid night from Taraganj Chowpatti. He was drunk, they claimed.

He was released at about 9 am next day after he gave an "undertaking" and was escorted home at Katgari village by Constable Alimuddin.

The victim's family alleged that reaching home, Enamul told his wife that he was feeling severe stomach pain. He was taken to nearby Taraganj Upazila Health Complex and then shifted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where he died at about 11:00 pm on Tuesday.

As the news spread, angry people from Katgari village laid a siege to Taraganj thana, alleging that Enamul died from police torture.

Enamul's mother Jokion Bewa said her son told her that a rubber pipe was inserted into his stomach through the mouth. But SI Bazlur Rahman denied this and said he died from excessive drinking.

Rangpur Police Superintendent Manjur Kader told newsmen yesterday that the reason for the death would be ascertained after the postmortem report is available.

The body of Enamul was handed over to his relatives on Wednesday after postmortem at RMCH but police said yesterday that they were yet to get the postmortem report.

Meanwhile some sources claimed that Emanul used to collect toll for police. He was tortured as he misappropriated the whole money he collected on the eve of the Eid from different sources.