Freedom fighter dies at Sandwip jetty after speedboat service suspension leaves him waiting for transport

A 70-year-old freedom fighter died at Guptachhara jetty in Sandwip yesterday (19 August) after he could not travel to Chattogram city for emergency medical treatment as speedboat services on the Chattogram-Sandwip route remained suspended without prior notice.

Siraj Uddin died at around 11:30am at the jetty. He had been suffering from liver problems for a long time. He was a resident of Rahmater of Sandwip upazila.

Family members said Siraj Uddin was admitted to a local health centre after falling ill on Tuesday night. His condition deteriorated yesterday morning, prompting doctors to advise his family to take him to Chattogram city for better treatment.

His relatives brought him to Guptachhara jetty around 9am. However, they could not take him to Chattogram as no speedboat was available. Due to low tide, there was also no immediate option to cross by ferry or another vessel.

The family alleged that they waited at the jetty for a long time and repeatedly requested arrangements for an urgent crossing, informing authorities of his need for immediate medical treatment. However, no speedboat was available, and Siraj Uddin eventually died at the jetty around 11:30am.

Meanwhile, different accounts have emerged over the suspension of speedboat services on the Guptachhara-Kumira route connecting Sandwip and Sitakunda.

Jaglul Hossain Nayan, proprietor of speedboat operator Adil Enterprise, said several people had been collecting extortion money from speedboat operators and snatching money at the jetty for the past two days.

"Speedboats cannot be operated until security is ensured," he said.

However, some locals claimed that speedboat services were suspended due to a business dispute between two parties involved in managing the jetty. As a result, hundreds of people, including patients, women, children and general passengers, have been suffering.

Sandwip Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sujon Haldar told The Business Standard, "No one informed me of any complaint that speedboat services had been suspended due to extortion. The family of deceased freedom fighter Siraj Uddin also did not inform the police station about the matter."

He added, "Speedboat services on the Sitakunda-Sandwip route were suspended for some time yesterday. Since services were suspended from the Sitakunda side, I do not know the details of the matter."

The OC said Siraj Uddin would be buried with state honours at around 12pm today (20 August).

Sandwip Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Amzad Hossain said, "No one informed me about the suspension of speedboat services or extortion. Action will be taken if a complaint is received."

Nayan Shil, deputy director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said, "The matter happened due to a business dispute. The concerned parties have been told that their licences will be cancelled if they do not resume speedboat services."