Various political parties and people from all walks of life have strongly condemned and protested the tragic death of a civilian in security custody. The family members of the deceased have claimed that the Jubo Dal leader, Md. Touhidul Islam (40), died as a result of inhuman torture. He was taken to the hospital on Friday afternoon in an unwell condition and was declared dead by the doctors. A high-ranking investigation committee has been formed to immediately recall the commander of the local army camp and find out the cause of death in this incident. Appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty in the investigation as per the army law, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Meanwhile, the interim government has ordered an urgent investigation into the death. A statement sent by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing yesterday said that Professor Muhammad Yunus strongly condemned any kind of torture and killing in custody and ordered an urgent investigation. Human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) in a statement expressed concern over the death of the Jubo Dal leader after he was identified as a joint force and demanded an impartial investigation.
Touhidul Islam, who was killed in security custody, was the convener of Panchthubi Union Jubo Dal in Adarsh Sadar Upazila of Comilla. He was a resident of Italla village. He worked for a shipping agent company in Chittagong Port. He returned home on Sunday after receiving the news of the death of his father Mokhlesur Rahman. His father was supposed to be buried on Friday. He is the father of four daughters.
Comilla Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mohammad Saiful Malik said that the army informed the police to take Touhidul Islam around 11 am on Friday. He was unconscious when the police handed him over. After taking him to the hospital, the doctor declared him dead. However, it is not possible to say for sure why he was detained or how he died. Police said that there is no case or complaint against Touhidul.
Describing the incident, Touhidul Islam's brother Sadequr Rahman said that they were preparing for their father's funeral on Thursday night. At around 2:30 am, army members came to the house. No one wearing police uniform was seen with them, but there were five young men in plain clothes. They detained Touhidul, then took away everyone's mobile phones and searched the house, but found nothing. When Touhidul was asked the reason for his detention, he did not answer and took him away in a car. In the morning, the army members came to the house again and searched extensively, Sadequr Rahman said that Touhidul was in their car in the morning as well. But he was not taken out of the car. He seemed lethargic from a distance. Touhidul Islam's wife Yasmin Nahar said, "My four daughters are still young. I don't know how to live with them. My husband did not commit any crime. Why was he tortured and killed? I want a proper investigation and trial of the entire incident." Comilla South District Jubo Dal member secretary Farid Uddin said, "There was never any complaint against Touhidul Islam. There are also allegations of giving electric shocks to various parts of his body. We want an investigation into the entire incident." Tanvir Ahmed, a doctor at the emergency department of Comilla Medical College Hospital, said, "Police brought Touhidul Islam to the emergency department around noon on Friday. After tests, it was found that he had died before being brought to the hospital. There were injury marks on various parts of his body."
Commander withdrawn, trial to be conducted under army law: Yesterday, the ISPR said in a statement, 'On January 31, Md. Touhidul Islam (40), who was arrested from Adarsh Sadar Upazila of Comilla in a joint force operation based on three specific allegations, died at Comilla Medical College Hospital at 12:30 on the same day. Appropriate steps have been taken to investigate this unexpected and sad incident. The camp commander of that army camp has already been withdrawn immediately. In addition, a high-ranking investigation committee has been formed to uncover the exact cause of death. Action will be taken against those found guilty in the investigation as per army law.'
Chief Advisor condemns, orders investigation: The interim government has ordered an urgent investigation into the death of a Jubo Dal leader after he was detained in a joint forces operation in Comilla. A statement sent from the press wing of the chief advisor yesterday said that the interim government has ordered an urgent investigation into the death of young Towhidul Islam in Comilla. The statement mentioned that chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus strongly condemned any form of torture and killing in custody.
Jubo Dal leader tortured to death: Mirza Fakhrul: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that Jubo Dal leader Touhidul Islam was 'tortured to death' by people in plain clothes in Comilla. At the same time, he also demanded that an investigation be conducted to find out whether the Awami League cronies who are hiding in the government and administration committed this incident. In a statement yesterday, the BNP Secretary General said that such extrajudicial killings during the interim government are unfortunate. He also said, 'No government force can take the law into its own hands. No matter how powerful the perpetrator of the crime is, bringing him under the law and giving him exemplary punishment is one of the conditions of the rule of law. I strongly condemn, protest and condemn the killing of Touhidul Islam.'
Jubo Dal condemns and protests: Nationalist Jubo Dal central president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan strongly condemned and protested the brutal killing of Jubo Dal leader Touhidul Islam by the joint forces. The two leaders demanded that those involved in this extrajudicial killing be brought to justice.
Chhatra Dal protest: Chhatra Dal central president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir have strongly condemned and protested the killing of Jubo Dal leader Touhidul Islam. In a statement yesterday, the leaders said that the interim government has failed to protect human rights. The government must immediately ensure the security of leaders and workers of all political parties.
Student Union Protest: Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly condemned and protested the murder of the Jubo Dal leader. Shibir's central president Zahidul Islam and secretary general Nurul Islam Saddam said in a joint statement, "In a civilized country, the main responsibility of the state forces is to ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property. The murder of the Jubo Dal leader is a repetition of the brutal massacre of fascism."
Concerns of Ain O Salish Kendra: Human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed concern over the death of Jubo Dal leader Touhidul Islam after he was identified as a joint force member and demanded an impartial investigation. In a press release yesterday, it said that Touhidul Islam was not accused of having any weapons and was abducted from his home late at night for unknown reasons. Family members contacted the police station but could not find him. Since the deceased had injury marks on his body, family members have claimed that the death was planned and suspicious. ASK believes that such incidents are against human rights and the rule of law. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure the safety of the detained person. Such deaths are unacceptable in any way. ASK is demanding an independent, impartial and speedy judicial investigation into the incident and that those responsible be brought to justice.
MSF: Meanwhile, the Human Rights and Culture Foundation (MSF) has demanded an investigation into the death of the Jubo Dal leader. In a press release yesterday, it was said, 'The relatives claim that he died due to inhuman torture after detention. Torture marks were found on the body of the deceased. We demand that the security forces ensure an impartial and fair investigation into the incident and take action against the death due to torture.'
The entire country is in turmoil over the death of a youth leader detained by joint forces late at night in Comilla.
