Dhaka, Feb 1 (NationPress) Two tragic events involving the demise of leaders associated with the Awami League in Chittagong and Narsingdi have ignited new accusations of political suppression and targeted violence under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus, as reported by party insiders and family members.

In Chittagong, Abdur Rahman Mia, a 70-year-old Awami League leader and vice-president of Ward 24 (North Agrabad) of the Chittagong City Awami League, passed away while in prison custody after being held for nearly three months. Family members claim he was denied bail and proper medical care despite suffering from advanced lung cancer and several other serious health issues, as reported by The Daily Republic.

Family members stated that Abdur Rahman Mia was taken into custody on November 17, 2025, while he was leaving his home to attend namaz, despite being gravely ill and hardly able to walk.

He was apprehended in relation to a case filed at Kotwali police station, reportedly concerning explosives. His family alleged that at the time of his arrest, he was gasping for breath and needed immediate hospitalization, but their pleas were disregarded.

Mia spent three months in custody, during which his health severely declined. He ultimately died in custody, leading Awami League leaders to claim that the refusal of bail and medical treatment constituted custodial negligence. Authorities have yet to release a comprehensive public statement regarding the circumstances of his death.

In a separate case in Narsingdi, the disfigured body of Azimul Kader Bhuiyan, a 45-year-old poultry businessman and former Chhatra League leader, was found in a ditch three days after he was reported missing. Azimul was from Bir Baghber village in Bajnab union under Belabo upazila and was the son of the late Mannan Bhuiyan.

The Chhatra League serves as the student wing of the Awami League.

Local reports indicate that Azimul previously held the position of general secretary of the union Chhatra League and joint general secretary of the upazila unit, being viewed more as a grassroots organizer rather than a high-ranking political figure. His disappearance and subsequent murder have incited outrage among Awami League supporters, who believe the killing was politically driven.

Party officials have accused activists from Jamaat-e-Islami of involvement in the murder, claiming that the interim government has created a climate of impunity. Nevertheless, law enforcement has not confirmed any political motives and stated that investigations are still ongoing.

These two fatalities have heightened concerns voiced by opposition figures regarding alleged arbitrary arrests, custodial fatalities, and targeted attacks against Awami League supporters since the governmental shift. Rights activists are also demanding independent investigations into both incidents to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.