Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) is expressing grave concern over the death of a University Grants Commission official in RAB custody in the capital and a nine years old child sustaining injuries from bullets fired by the lawmaker for Sundarganj upazila in Gaibandha.

Media reports said University Grants Commission official Omar Siraj, who was arrested on September 18 this year for his suspected involvement in leaking medical test question papers, died in RAB custody on last Thursday (October 1, 2015). It was reported that doctors did not immediately comment on how he had died. We are very concerned about the incident.

In another incident, nine-year-old child Sourav was injured by bullets fired by Manjurul Islam Liton, Member of Parliament for Sundarganj upazila in Gaibandha district and president of upazila unit of the Awami League, which hit him in the legs. Sourav’s family members alleged that Liton’s acolytes obstructed the ambulance when they were taking the injured boy to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. However, according to the latest report, the bullet-hit child was sent to the hospital. ASK strongly condemns such irresponsible conduct of a public representative.

We strongly demand that those responsible for both the incidents be subjected to stern actions after a fair and neutral probe. We also demand that appropriate and effective measures be taken by the government to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Besides, we urge the authorities concerned to arrange necessary medical services for the treatment of the bullet-hit child.