Hijra community leader’s body recovered in Chattogram
Mousumi was found unresponsive at her Ambagan residence
Police recovered the body of a transgender community leader from Ambagan Railway Colony in Chattogram this morning (5 September).
The deceased, Mousumi, known as the 'Guruma' or leader of the community, was found lying face down on her bed at her residence around 10am, according to police and local residents.
Her associates said they last spoke to her around 2am on Saturday before she went to sleep. When she did not respond for an extended period in the morning, they entered her room and found her unresponsive.
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One of her associates, Pakhi, said she found Mousumi lying face down with blood coming from her mouth and her tongue protruding.
Police from Khulshi Police Station went to the scene after being informed and recovered the body. Following an inquest, the body was sent to the Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdur Rahim told The Business Standard that the cause of death would be determined after the autopsy and expert opinion.
"During the initial inquest, blood was found coming from the left side of the deceased's mouth. However, it is not possible to determine the cause of death based on these signs alone," he said.
Asked whether the death could be a murder, the officer said, "We cannot say anything at this point. It will be known after receiving the expert opinion."
Police also observed what appeared to be a mark around her neck, as if something thin had been wrapped around it. However, they could not determine whether the mark was related to her death before the autopsy.
Following news of Mousumi's death, members of the transgender community gathered at Ambagan Railway Colony from different parts of Chattogram.
Local residents said Mousumi was a well-known figure in the city's transgender community and maintained good relations with local residents.
Some of her associates alleged that her death was unnatural and could be a murder. Police, however, said the cause of death could not be established until the autopsy and expert opinion are available.
Police said the body will be handed over to the family after completion of the autopsy formalities.
