BNP Leader Dies Preparing Mother’s Memorial

In Brahmanbaria’s Nabinagar, a local BNP leader, Abul Hossain, aged 46, tragically lost his life after being electrocuted while overseeing preparations for a memorial prayer gathering (kulkhani) in honour of his late mother. In a haunting parallel, approximately 20 years ago, his elder brother died in a similar accident involving electrocution.

The incident occurred on Monday night (5 January) at around 11:30 pm in Aliabad village, located in Ward No. 5 of Nabinagar Municipality. Abul Hossain, the son of the late Bajlu Mia, served as the Labour Affairs Secretary of the Nabinagar Upazila BNP.

According to family members and eyewitnesses, the following day (Tuesday, 6 January) marked the anniversary of Abul Hossain’s mother’s passing. A kulkhani and communal feast had been planned to honour her memory. While cleaning the carcass of a recently slaughtered cow in the courtyard near the pond, he accidentally came into contact with an overhead electrical wire suspended from a coconut tree. The shock caused him to fall into the pond, where he was immediately discovered by relatives.

He was rushed to the Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex, but doctors in the emergency department pronounced him dead upon arrival. Abul Hossain is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and numerous admirers within the community.

Family members and local residents expressed profound grief over the incident, describing it as an “unspeakable tragedy.” As noted by his cousin, Mohammad Helal Uddin, and neighbour, Robi, the similarity to the death of his elder brother, Mohammad Mosharraf, who died two decades ago in an electrocution accident involving a generator, has cast a shadow of sorrow over the village.

The village atmosphere turned somber as relatives and neighbours now had to mourn the son while remembering the mother. Hundreds of residents gathered at the family home from the early hours of Tuesday to offer condolences. The local BNP leaders also visited, expressing deep sorrow and paying respects to their fallen colleague.

Residents and family members are struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of a second son of the family in such tragic circumstances. The dual tragedies have left the village grappling with grief, underscoring the fragile nature of life even during moments meant for remembrance and celebration.