BNP ex-lawmaker Nasiruddin Pintu

Former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu died today of cardiac arrest at the age of 48.

The BNP leader was “brought dead” to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at 12:15pm, Brig Gen AKM Nasiruddin, director of the hospital, told The Daily Star. 

Pintu, who was serving life-term for carnage at Pilkhana headquarters of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles force, was taken to the hospital after he complained of chest pain at noon at Rajshahi Central Jail, said Shafiqul Islam, superintendent of Rajshahi Jail.

The former president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal had been staying at the jail since April 20, he added.

Pintu got life imprisonment for his involvement in the killing of 57 army officers during the bloody mutiny at Pilkhana in February 25-26, 2009.

He was also convicted of instigating the massacre that left a total of 74 people dead including 57 army officials at the headquarters of the paramilitary force which has been later renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh.

After visiting the hospital around 1:30pm, BNP central committee member Motiur Rahman Mantu brought allegation against the prison authorities, saying that Pintu was not rushed to the hospital on time. 

The BNP leader left behind his wife and two sons – one studying at University of Toronto and another at Scholastica School in Dhaka – to mourn his death.

His namaz-e-janaza will be held in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office at 11:30am, the party said in a press release this afternoon.  Black flags will be hoisted at every local unit office to mourn him.  

Pintu, also an assistant organising secretary of BNP, filed nomination to contest the April 28 Dhaka South City Corporation for mayoral post but his nomination was later cancelled.

The BNP leader was shifted to Rajshahi jail from Narayanganj after he was diagnosed with cardiac disease.

Soon after hearing the death news, some senior leaders and relatives of the BNP leader left Dhaka for Rajshahi to bring back his body, Syrul Kabir Khan, an official of the BNP chairperson's press wing, told The Daily Star around 1:45pm.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has expressed grave shock at the death of Pintu and conveyed her sympathy to the bereaved family members.

In a condolence message, she alleged that Pintu was deprived of proper treatment ignoring a High Court order.

“Sheer negligence of the jail authorities in providing him with treatment prescribed by doctors caused his early demise. “

The BNP leaders are rushing to Pintu’s Hazaribagh residence in old Dhaka to meet his family members.

Born on September 1, 1967, Pintu was elected MP in the eighth general election in 2001.