Two Young Men, Including a Former Chhatra Dal Leader, Die After Drinking Liquor in Cumilla's Debidwar; Three Sent to Dhaka
Two young men have died after falling ill from drinking liquor in Debidwar, Cumilla. Four others fell seriously ill in the same incident, and three of them were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, according to local sources.
The incident took place on the night of October 22 in the Dhannarpara area of Gunaighar Uttar Para, Ward No. 8 of Debidwar municipality. It created a stir in the area after coming to light on Thursday (October 29).
The two who died are Md Salauddin (32), son of Bachchu Mia of the Dhannarpara area, and Basar Khan (31), son of Alam Mia of Hapurkharha village in the upazila. Salauddin was a former member of Cumilla North District Chhatra Dal.
Local sources said that on the night of October 22, Salauddin, Basar Khan and several others drank liquor together at Naim's uncle's house in the Dhannarpara area. They fell ill shortly afterwards and were taken to different hospitals.
The next day, neighbours found Salauddin lying ill in his own room. He was rescued after the door of the room was broken open. He was first taken to Debidwar Upazila Health Complex and later to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment on October 24.
Basar Khan was also first taken to Debidwar Upazila Health Complex and later to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. After being transferred from there to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he died while undergoing treatment on October 25.
The other four who fell ill are Atik (33), Shahin Shah (28) and Mohammad Naim (28) of the Dhannarpara area, and Kawsar of Elahabad village.
Local residents said the two deaths did not come to light at first. On social media, heart disease was initially publicised as the cause of Salauddin's death. The fact that they fell ill and died from excessive drinking emerged later.
Mahmudul Hasan Tamim, member secretary of Cumilla North District Chhatra Dal, said Salauddin was a former member of the district Chhatra Dal. The family had initially said he died of a heart attack; they learned about the excessive drinking later.
Debidwar police station Officer-in-Charge Md Moniruzzaman said the family may have wanted to keep the matter secret for fear of social disgrace, as it was a drug-related incident. Police learned of it through journalists after the bodies had been buried. Necessary legal action will be taken if a written complaint is received, he said.
