Fourth Awami League leader dies of a 'heart attack' in Bogura prison within 29 days

Awami League (AL) leader Abdul Matin, also known as Mithu, passed away on Monday morning at Bogura district jail, reportedly due to a heart attack. He died around 8:00 a.m. after being admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Matin, hailing from the Boithabhanga Dakshinpara area of Gabtoli upazila, was a member of the upazila AL and president of the party’s unit in ward no. 6 of Durgahata union.

Matin's death marks the fourth instance of an AL leader dying of a reported heart attack within 29 days at the Bogura district jail. Bogura district jail superintendent Faruque Ahmed stated that Matin, incarcerated since August 24, had no prior health complications. On Sunday, he complained of a sore throat and was prescribed medication by the prison physician. However, early Monday, he experienced chest pain and was rushed to the hospital, where he died during treatment. The body will be handed over to the family after an autopsy.

Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital deputy director Abdul Wadud confirmed that Matin was admitted to the emergency unit at 4:20 a.m. and transferred to the CCU at 4:30 a.m., where he succumbed at 8:30 a.m.

Earlier, Bogura district AL organizing secretary Shahadat Alam, 57, Shibganj upazila AL treasurer Abdul Latif, 67, and Shahidul Islam, general secretary of ward no. 15 of Bogura municipality, died under similar circumstances. Alam died on November 26, a day after Latif’s death on November 25. Shahidul passed away on November 11.

Relatives of the deceased have expressed concerns over the circumstances. Shahadat Alam’s wife, Mahbuba Manjur, stated that her husband had no history of heart issues, while Shahidul Islam’s wife claimed the jail authorities initially misdiagnosed her husband’s chest pain as a gastric problem.

Jail superintendent Faruque Ahmed maintained that the authorities followed protocol, acting promptly on medical recommendations. He emphasized that all four individuals were taken to the hospital without delay. Abdul Wadud, the hospital’s deputy director, confirmed heart attacks as the cause of death for Alam and Matin based on diagnostic reports but withheld comments on the others without reviewing their records.

Family members, however, continue to question the recurring deaths, urging a thorough investigation to uncover potential underlying causes.