Former Rajshahi councillor dies while ‘trying to escape from police’

A former councillor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has died while attempting to flee after seeing police, who say the man suffered a “heart attack” due to fear of arrest.

The incident took place in Daspukur on Wednesday night, said Rajpara police chief Ashraful Islam.

The deceased, Kamal Hossain, 55, was a former councillor of RCC’s Ward No. 3. Police said he is accused in four cases.

Kamal was once involved with the BNP. After becoming a councillor in 2018, he joined the Awami League. However, he did not hold any positions in the party.

He was accused in the cases after the Awami League government fell on Aug 5. Since then, he has been in hiding.

Kamal’s son Sohan Shakil Shimul said, "Police came to our area at night. Seeing them, my father entered a neighbour's house and went up the stairs to the roof. He then fell ill on the stairs and died on the spot."

Relatives also believe that the fear of police caused a cardiac arrest leading to his death.

Officer Ashraful said, “The police went to Daspukur at night. However, they did not go there to catch Kamal Hossain, rather for some other task.

“Kamal Hossain bolted away when he saw the police. He died of a heart attack. The body is with the family. They are making preparations for the burial.”