Shamikul Islam, 60, president of the Palashbari upazila unit of the Bangladesh Awami League, has died while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. The Gaibandha-based political figure, who had been in custody in connection with vandalism and assault cases, passed away in the early hours of Sunday.
The death was confirmed by Anwar Hossain, Superintendent of Gaibandha District Jail. According to prison authorities, Islam had been admitted to jail on 18 October in a case involving alleged vandalism and physical altercation. Officials further stated that he had a pre-existing history of heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes prior to his incarceration.
Prison sources said that on Saturday night Islam complained of severe discomfort. He was first transferred to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital for primary treatment. As his condition reportedly deteriorated, attending physicians recommended urgent referral to Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH), a major tertiary care facility in northern Bangladesh. He was transported by ambulance and admitted at 2:50 am.
Dr Haripada Sarkar, head of the cardiology department at RMCH, said Islam was admitted with acute shortness of breath and chest pain—symptoms consistent with a serious cardiac event. Despite immediate medical intervention and monitoring, he died at 3:50 am, approximately one hour after admission. Hospital officials indicated that a severe cardiac complication was the likely cause of death, though a definitive conclusion will depend on the post-mortem findings.
Later on Sunday, at around 11:00 am, an inquest report was prepared in the presence of Executive Magistrate Tamal Azad, representing the district administration. Hospital authorities confirmed that a post-mortem examination would be conducted before the body is handed over to the family.
Below is a summary of the key details surrounding the incident:
| বিষয় | তথ্য |
|---|---|
| Name | Shamikul Islam |
| Age | 60 |
| Political Role | President, Palashbari Upazila Unit, Bangladesh Awami League |
| Residence | Bairi Harinmari, Palashbari, Gaibandha |
| Date Entered Jail | 18 October |
| Medical History | Heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes |
| Hospital Admission | 2:50 am (Sunday) |
| Time of Death | 3:50 am (Sunday) |
| Place of Death | Rangpur Medical College Hospital |
Islam was the son of the late Abdur Jabbar Sarkar and hailed from Bairi Harinmari area of Palashbari municipality in Gaibandha district. Beyond politics, he was an academic by profession and had served as Vice-Principal of Palashbari Women’s College, earning recognition in local educational circles.
Following the political upheaval of 5 August 2024, when the Awami League government was ousted from power, multiple cases were filed against him. On 8 December that year, he was arrested in Dhaka in one such case and remained in custody for an extended period before securing bail. However, he was subsequently re-arrested in another case and returned to jail.
His death has prompted discussion within local political and civic circles. While prison officials maintain that due medical procedures were followed and that he was promptly transferred upon complaint of illness, the final determination regarding the cause of death will rest on the post-mortem report.