Injured UNO Wahida improves further: Suspended official held

Dhaka, Sept 12 – The condition of Ghoraghat UNO Wahida Khanam, who was seriously injured in an attack by miscreants that left her right side paralysed, has improved further, said doctors. Dr Mohammad Zahed Hossain, the chief of Neurotrauma Department of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, said this during a briefing on Saturday.
Meanwhile, police arrested a suspended government official on Friday in connection with the attack on Ghoraghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Wahida Khanam and her father on September 3.
The arrestee was identified as Rabiul Islam, 43, son of Khatib Uddin of Bijora village in Birol Upazila.
“She’s now able to move her right hand from fingers to elbow but unable to move her right leg yet. The stitches done during her head surgery have been removed,” said Zahed Hossain.
Her physical condition is improving as she is taking physiotherapy three to four times a day, Dr Hossain added.
“She’s now out of danger and has no health complications. We’ll keep her in observation for a few more days as her physiotherapy is underway,” he said.
Replying to a question, Dr Zahed said they have not decided yet to shift her to a bed or cabin from the High Dependency Unit. “Now she’s not shifted her to any cabin as visitors may crowd there, triggering the infection risk,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Amirul Islam, the officer-in-charge of Ghoraghat Police Station, was withdrawn for negligence of duty over the matter.
About the new arrestee Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG- Rangpur range) Debdash Bhattacharya in a press briefing on Saturday said Rabiul has already confessed to his involvement in the attack during primary interrogation.
“We’ve collected evidence based on his statement and his comments also matched with the CCTV footage that we’ve recovered. We’ll produce Rabiul before the court and seek remand for further interrogation,” he added.
Law enforcers earlier arrested seven people, including the prime suspect in the case.
The arrestees are key suspect Asadul Haque, 35, son of Amzad Hossain of Osmanpur in the Upazila, his accomplices Jahangir Hossain, son of Abul Kalam, Yeasin Ali, 30, driver of Upazila land office and Arsola Hembram, 38, a cleaner of the Upazila Parishad, Nabirul Islam and Santu Kumar.
Ghoraghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Wahida and her father Omar Ali were seriously injured in an attack by miscreants at her home on the Upazila Parishad premises on September 3.
They were initially taken to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital.
Later, the UNO was airlifted to Dhaka. She is currently undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital. – UNB