A prominent leader of the local Awami League in Gaibandha’s Palashbari upazila passed away at Rangpur Medical College Hospital while under jail custody in the early hours of yesterday. The deceased, Shamikul Islam, aged 60 and from the Bairiharinmari area of Palashbari municipal town, held the position of president of Palashbari upazila Awami League and also served as vice principal at Palashbari Mohila College, according to police sources.
Jail superintendent Anwar Hossain of Gaibandha District Jail confirmed that Shamikul had been incarcerated since October 18, 2025, in connection with a case involving vandalism and assault. He had been battling heart disease and diabetes for an extended period.
When Shamikul fell seriously ill last night, he was rushed to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital. Due to his deteriorating condition, he was swiftly transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Dr. Haripada Sarkar, the head of the Cardiology Department at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, disclosed that Shamikul was admitted to the hospital at approximately 2:50 am yesterday. Upon admission, he was experiencing breathing difficulties and chest pain, succumbing to his condition around 3:50 am during treatment.
Hospital authorities mentioned that following the postmortem examination, Shamikul’s remains would be released to his family. Sources from Gaibandha jail indicated that after the change in government on August 5, 2024, several charges were brought against Shamikul. He was apprehended in Dhaka on December 8 of that year in one of the cases and detained for an extensive period. Although he was subsequently granted bail, he was re-apprehended in a separate case and incarcerated last year.