Youth drowns while fleeing police chase in Gaibandha

The deceased was identified as Shishu Mia, son of Dulal Mia at Gidari area under Gaibandha Sadar upazila.

Family members alleged that although police had the opportunity to rescue and arrest him, they instead surrounded the area and allowed him to drown.

According to police, the incident took place when the youth suddenly entered Saghata Police Station and attempted to snatch a firearm from on-duty sentry Sirajul Islam. As Sub-Inspector Mohsin Ali intervened, the youth reportedly stabbed him and tried to flee.

Locals and police chased the suspect, identified by police as Shishu Mia, as he ran towards the nearby Saghata Pilot School and jumped into an adjacent pond to escape. Police and residents cordoned off the pond area throughout the night, but the youth could not be found.

Around Friday morning, police, with assistance from the Fire Service, recovered his body from the pond. Police said a document found in his pocket identified him as Sujon Mia and mentioned that he was enrolled in a freelancing training course.

Family members, upon arriving at the police station in the afternoon, broke down in tears and denied that Sujon was a criminal. “He was an educated boy, not a miscreant. Why was he left to drown? We demand justice,” said one of his relatives while speaking to journalists.

Gaibandha Superintendent of Police Nishat Angela and other senior police officials visited the site later in the day.

Saghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Badsha Alam said the body has been sent to Gaibandha General Hospital morgue for autopsy. He added that police are still trying to confirm Sujon's permanent address, reports UNB.