A local BNP leader has died in the custody of the Bangladesh Army in Chuadanga's Jibannagar.
The deceased, Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 50, was the general secretary of the Jibannagar municipality unit BNP.
Family members and party activists alleged that Dablu's death was caused by torture, while the army claimed he fell ill during interrogation and subsequently died of a stroke.
Family members and locals said the army conducted a drive in the area adjacent to Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex around 10:00 pm on Monday, January 12, and detained Dablu at a pharmacy. At midnight past Tuesday, January 13, his death was reported in their custody.
After the death news spread, relatives and BNP activists started demonstrating, raising allegations against the army.
To control the situation, additional police personnel have been deployed in the area.
The victim's brother, Shariful Islam Kajal, alleged, "My brother has been killed."
The army claimed to have recovered a foreign pistol and four rounds of bullets from Dablu during the operation.
Mohammad Monirul Islam, Superintendent of Police, Chuadanga, said Lt Col Imran of the army provided him with details about the death.
"During questioning, Dablu fell sick, and he was, later, taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead," the SP quoted Imran as saying.
Hussain Malique/MSU