A 48-year-old man arrested in connection with the April 5 violence in Saltha upazila of Faridpur, died in police custody on Saturday morning.
The deceased was identified as Abul Hossain Molla, 48.
While the district police claimed that Adul died of a stroke, his family members attributed his death to torture by cops.
Faridpur Sadar Hospital’s in-charge Dr Tofazzal Hossain said, "Police brought the body of Abul Hossain to the medical facility around 6:00 am. The cause of his death can be confirmed only after an autopsy."
Faridpur police superintendent Md Alimujjaman said, “Abul Hossain was found lying on the bathroom floor around 5.30 am. We suspect he died of a stroke."
A four-member probe panel has been formed to investigate the death, he said. "The committee has been asked to submit a report within 24 hours."
Abul's daughter Taniya Aktar, however, claimed that his father was innocent. "He wasn’t involved in any village politics. We demand a free and fair investigation and justice for my father's death."
Abul Hossain was arrested on April 16 for his alleged involvement in the violent clashes with police on April 5.
On April 28, the court of Faridpur judicial magistrate Faruk Hossain allowed a police plea to take Abul in their custody for five days for interrogation.
On April 5, rumours of killing and arrests triggered the clashes between police and locals in Saltha on the first day of lockdown. The violence saw thousands of people vandalising and torching government establishments.
Few offices and houses of government officials were set on fire by locals during the mayhem that continued from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm that night.
The violence left a young man dead and 20 people, including eight policemen, injured.
