Hundreds of villagers, along with Jubo Dal leader Touhidul Islam's family members carrying his body, formed a human chain today in front of the Cumilla Press Club against his alleged death in custody.

They marched from Italla village to the press club, covering approximately four and a half kilometres in protest. Upon arrival, family members and villagers addressed the media, demanding justice.

The body of Touhidul, 42, bore marks of trauma and injuries, according to an inquest report by Kotwali Police Station in Cumilla.

Family members alleged he was tortured to death.

Touhidul's wife, Yesmin Nahar, addressing the rally, said, "We were preparing for the qulkhani late on Thursday night when four men arrived, claiming to be from the joint forces. As soon as they entered, they detained Touhidul and took away our phones. They searched the house but found nothing. They left with my husband in a pickup truck without explaining why he was being taken. They also took Tk 1.5 lakh in cash, which we had earned from selling cows."

"When we asked why they were taking him, the joint forces claimed he was accused of possessing illegal arms. They assured us he would not be tortured, but they tortured him inhumanly," she said.

"In the morning around 7:00am, they brought Touhidul to search the house of our neighbour Kawser. By then, he was visibly weak. They then instructed us to contact the joint forces camp."

"In the afternoon (around 1:00pm) , the police called us and told us to go to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. We arrived to find his lifeless body. He was tortured to death," she added.

"The perpetrators were masked while torturing him," she added.

"He was not involved in any criminal activities. Our family has a reputation. We want justice and punishment for those responsible for his killing."

Yesmin said the army authorities had contacted them and assured that action would be taken against those responsible.

"We have not yet filed a complaint, but it is under process. Our family will make a decision soon."

Mahbuba Uddin, a teacher at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) and a niece of Touhidul, said, "We spoke with army officials. An army officer from Cumilla Cantonment, Lieutenant Colonel Mahmudul Hasan, assured us that the army would take action against those responsible."

Lutfur Rahman, who was detained alongside Touhidul, said, "The army first broke my door and took me from my house. At the camp, they tied Touhidul to a tree and tortured him through the night. The individuals involved were wearing masks."

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement signed by Assistant Director Rashedul Alam Khan, stating that the joint forces had arrested Touhidul Islam on January 31 on specific allegations. He was declared dead at 12:30pm at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.

The ISPR expressed its regrets over his death and announced that the camp commander had been withdrawn from duty.

A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident, and if found responsible, those involved will be prosecuted under the service act.

Arafatul Islam, additional superintendent of police (Cumilla Sadar circle) said, "I am not aware of any investigation committee being formed by law enforcement agencies. If one is formed, we will inform the press."

Meanwhile, rights group Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) expressed concern over the recent death of Jubo Dal leader. In a media release, ASK demanded trial of the culprits involved after a neutral probe.