Brutally tortured youth dies

A youth succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, following brutal torture inside Taiyaba Majumdar Blood Bank, a voluntary blood collection and preservation centre of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in Dinajpur Satellite Town.

On October 25 night, the victim, Monjurul Islam, 27, son of Abdul Kader of Mothullahpur village under Dinajpur Sadar upazila, was picked up allegedly by Sirajul Salekin Rana, vice president of Dinajpur Town unit of Jubo League, and his aides and taken inside the blood bank.

Sirajul is also a member of the 10-member advisory committee of the blood bank.

Informed, a team of Dinajpur CPC-1 of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-13) rescued him from a room of the blood bank on October 26 noon and took him to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital in a critical state, said Major Abdullah Al Mahmud Razu, commander of Dinajpur Rab CPC.

The Rab also picked up six people including Rana but they were released later.

"Monjurul told us that Sirajul Salekin Rana along with four to five men picked him up, took him inside the blood bank and tortured him overnight," said Aleya Begum, elder sister of the slain.

"Nails of his hands were pulled out with pliers, the palms of hands were cut with blades and salt and chilli powder were put there. They also gave him electric shock," said Abdul Kader, father of the victim.

"On Monday we brought him back home where he died on Tuesday," he said.

Family members alleged negligence and non-cooperation of police while Redwanur Rahim, officer in charge of Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station, said nobody informed police about the incident and no case has been filed.

Police sent the body to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Hamidul Alam, superintendent of police of Dinajpur, said the people involved with the brutality would not be spared.  

Locals alleged that the blood bank turned as a torture cell for extortion and tender manipulation after the 10-member advisory committee got charge in November last year.

Even several staffs of the blood bank were tortured there, they said.

Ataur Azad, convener of the 10-member advisory committee, said, "Nobody complained to me against Sirajul Salekin Rana about his doing any misdeed at the blood bank."

"We demand punishment for the brutality," he said.

During a visit to the blood bank on Tuesday, this correspondent noticed that the officials and employees dared not make any comment against the 10-member advisory committee comprising leaders of ruling party Awami League.

Bazlul Haque, vice president of Dinajpur Red Crescent Society, said, "The perpetrator must face trial for the brutality."

Contacted, Sirajul Salekin Rana declined to make any comment.