Two inmates held at the Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj have passed away under circumstances that have sparked significant unrest. According to prison authorities, the inmates fell ill while in custody and were rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, both individuals were declared dead upon arrival at the emergency department.
Following the announcement of their deaths, family members and relatives gathered at the hospital premises, leading to a volatile situation. The grieving families alleged that the deaths were a result of negligence and a lack of adequate medical care within the prison facility. The protest escalated into a commotion, with relatives demanding a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the inmates' health decline and subsequent passing.
In response to the allegations, prison officials maintained that standard protocols were followed and that the inmates were transferred to the hospital as soon as their conditions deteriorated. They denied any claims of medical negligence, asserting that the facility provides necessary care to all detainees. However, the families insisted that the inmates had been suffering from health issues for some time without receiving timely or appropriate medical intervention.
Police stationed at the hospital outpost confirmed that the bodies have been moved to the morgue for post-mortem examinations. Authorities stated that the official cause of death will be determined only after the autopsy reports are finalized. To prevent further escalation of the protest and maintain order, additional police personnel were deployed around the hospital area.
This incident has reignited public discourse regarding the quality of healthcare services provided to inmates within the country's correctional facilities. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the health of a large prison population. Authorities have assured that the matter is being treated with high priority and that appropriate legal and administrative actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
