Fourteen days after the death of municipal driver Shahidul Islam in Kumarkhali municipality, Kushtia, police have yet to arrest the main accused, and there has been no visible progress in the investigation. Protesting the inaction and demanding immediate arrests and exemplary punishment, local residents formed a human chain on Wednesday.
The hour-long protest began at 12pm in front of the Kumarkhali municipality office, with more than a hundred men and women of different ages taking part. Afterwards, participants submitted a memorandum to Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and municipal administrator Farzana Akhter, signed by at least 484 people.
According to locals, 57 officials and employees are currently employed at Kumarkhali municipality, but wages totalling Tk10 crore have been unpaid for 42 months. On the morning of 19 November, Shahidul had reportedly begun locking the doors of various municipal departments in protest over unpaid salaries. When he attempted to lock the office of surveyor Firojul Islam, an argument ensued, leading to punching, kicking and scuffling, according to the complaint.
Staff members later confined Firojul in room 115 and Shahidul in room 116. A short while later, colleagues found Shahidul lying unconscious on the floor. He was taken to the local health complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Outraged residents and relatives vandalised the accused Firojul’s house later that day. At night, Shahidul’s daughter, Subarna Khatun, filed a murder case naming Firojul and accusing two to three unidentified individuals.
Subarna alleged that her father was confined, punched, kicked and assaulted by surveyor Firojul over his demand for outstanding wages, leading to his death. “I filed a murder case, yet police have not arrested the accused even after 14 days,” she said.
Shahidul’s son, Maruf Hossain, said the investigation has made no progress. “The investigating officer is on a 15-day leave. We have submitted a memorandum to the UNO demanding immediate arrest and the death penalty for the accused,” he said.
UNO Farzana Akhter confirmed receiving the memorandum from the victim’s family and residents. “The matter will be forwarded to the higher authorities as per procedure,” she said.
Kumarkhali Police Station’s investigation officer, Amirul Islam, denied negligence. “The accused has been absconding from the day of the incident. His mobile phone is switched off. Even though the investigating officer is on leave, operations to arrest the accused are ongoing,” he said.
