Hartal today in Gaibandha

Sajedur Rahman Sajid, 26, of Katpatti area in the town was arrested on May 18 along with a revolver. He died in police custody on May 21 while on remand.

Police said he committed suicide but the autopsy report said he was strangled.

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In support of today's hartal, the Nagorik committee held a rally at bus terminal yesterday where the speakers claimed that Sajid was killed in custody and the persons responsible should be punished.

They called upon the townspeople to observe hartal today to lodge their protest against such incidents.

The rally was addressed by, among others, Nagorik Committee Convener Aminul Islam Golap and its leader Farhad Abdullah Harun Bablu, Communist Party leader Mihir Ghosh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leader Shah Shariful Islam Bablu, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal leader Ahsanul Habib sayeed, Nirmalendu Barman Bhaiya and Sirajul Islam Babu.

Besides, a section of lawyers also brought out a procession and held a rally in the court area yesterday in support of the hartal.

Parents of Sajid at a press conference on Saturday demanded a judicial prove into the incident and capital punishment to the "killers" of their son.

Meanwhile, Sub Inspector Abu Yousuf of Gaibandha Sadar thana, who was the investigation officer of Sajid arrest case, was sent to jail after expiry of his three-day remand.

Police said during remand SI Yousuf denied involvement in the murder. Investigation is on, they said.

The Officer-in-Charge of Gaibandha sadar police station Noor Alam and Sub Inspectors Masud Rana, Sajjad Hossain, Farhad Hossain have been withdrawn in connection with the death in custody.