Expat killed after filming assault on BCL leader

A Bangladeshi expatriate died three days after being beaten for allegedly recording a video of an attack on a Chandpur union Chhatra League leader in Kapasia, Gazipur. The deceased, Enamul Haque, 35, from Tilshunia village in Kapasia, had been living in Malaysia for 17 years and returned to Bangladesh just three months before the incident. He passed away around midnight on January 15 while being transferred to Dhaka.

Kapasia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain confirmed to The Daily Star that Enamul’s sister, Parveen Akter, filed a case on Thursday night, naming three suspects and several unidentified individuals. The accused are Robin Mia, Bakul Mia, and Ripon Mia.

Enamul’s sister, Nasima Sultana, described the events of January 13 when a national identity (smart card) distribution event was taking place at Bhakoadi High School in Tinshunia village. Farid Hossain, president of the now-banned Chandpur union Chhatra League, arrived to collect his card. During the event, a confrontation broke out between 20-25 people, leading to a scuffle. Enamul, who had been nearby, heard the disturbance and began recording the incident on his phone.

When several individuals saw Enamul filming, they attacked him. He was severely injured and taken to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Nasima has called for justice for her brother’s death.

Solaiman Morol, General Secretary of the Chandpur Union BNP, explained that a service center had been set up near the smart card distribution point to assist people in collecting their cards. The center was managed by local party members, including himself.

According to Solaiman, Farid, whose house is near the center, questioned their activities, leading to a confrontation with locals. He alleged that Farid’s associates were the ones who beat him up, and when they saw Enamul recording the incident, they attacked him as well.

Solaiman also denied knowing Enamul personally or being involved in the assault. He added that, to his knowledge, Enamul had been living in Malaysia for a long time and had no political affiliations.

Kapasia Upazila Election Officer Tamanna Rashid described the incident as a political clash, noting that it falls outside the jurisdiction of the Election Commission.

OC Kamal Hossain stated that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.