Awami League leader dies in prison, body handed over

A banned Awami League leader named Tariq Rifat (50) has died after falling ill in Gaibandha prison. The incident took place in the prison on Sunday evening (November 23). Gaibandha prison guard Md. Atiqur Rahman confirmed this information around 8 pm yesterday. Meanwhile, the body was handed over to the family on Monday afternoon (November 24).
The name of the deceased Awami League leader is Tariq Rifat. He is the son of Abu Taher, former chairman of Prabhurampur village of Rajahar union in Gobindaganj upazila. He was the finance secretary of that union Awami League and the convener of Gobindaganj upazila Awami Muktijoddha Projonmo League. District Atiqur Rahman said that Tariq Rifat was brought to the prison around 5 pm yesterday. Shortly after that, he fell ill. Later, when he was taken to the hospital, the doctor declared him dead.
He also said that Tariq Rifat’s heart valve was recently replaced. He was physically unwell. An autopsy was conducted on the body at the district hospital morgue. The body was handed over to the family this afternoon. Medical Officer Dr. Shishir Ghosh, a doctor at the emergency department of Gaibandha District Hospital, said, “The man died before being brought to the hospital.”
Bulbul Islam, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Gobindaganj Police Station, told us that after being released on bail from jail on November 17, Rifat was arrested again that night. He was admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital due to illness. After treatment, he was brought to the police station on Saturday (November 22) evening. Later, when he was sent to court yesterday afternoon, the judge ordered him to be sent to jail.
It is worth noting that Tariq Rifat has multiple cases against him before August 5 last year for attacks in the Phulpukuria area, vandalism and arson of the BNP office, attempt to kill a Jamaat leader and the Explosives Act. He was a named accused in both these cases. He was arrested on October 19 and sent to jail through the court.