Awami League leader dies after allegedly falling into drain during police raid; police deny involvement

Rashed Khan Menon, a 48-year-old Awami League leader in Barishal, died Saturday after reportedly falling into a drain while evading a police operation. His family insists police actions led to his death, alleging that ordinary party workers are being targeted. They claim police raided his home two days prior and that officers arrived Saturday to conduct a routine operation.

According to his cousin, Rashed attempted to flee the police at his home in the Kawnia area, fell into a nearby drain, and became critically ill. Locals transported him to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The family also noted Rashed had pre-existing health issues, including a previous heart stent procedure.

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As far as I have learned, police went to his house because he was a suspect in a previously filed case. However, they did not find him there and left the area. He may have later learned that police were looking for him and, while trying to flee, became ill. He was subsequently taken to hospital, where he died.

However, police officials deny any responsibility. Sub-Inspector Al Mamun, who led the operation, stated his team visited the house as part of a regular drive but did not find Rashed and left shortly after. Kawnia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam echoed this, saying the operation concluded without arrests. Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Ashik Sayeed confirmed 39 arrests in a recent special drive and stated police visited Rashed's house as he was a suspect in a filed case, but left after not finding him. He suggested Rashed may have fallen ill while trying to flee after learning police were looking for him.

Local witnesses corroborated that police frequently conduct operations in the neighborhood and claimed Rashed fell while fleeing the police presence. The family criticized the operation, but police dismissed the allegations, asserting they only pursue individuals involved in criminal activities.

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We stayed for a short time and left. We did not find anyone named Rashed during the operation. What happened afterwards is unknown to us.