Sukarna Akhter Ipsita, a Chhatra Dal activist and second-year Zoology student at Bhola Government College, was found dead in the Meghna River on June 22—four days after reportedly jumping off the MV Karnaphuli-4 launch en route to Dhaka from Bhola. Her body was recovered near Lakshmipur and initially buried as unidentified due to delayed identification. Ipsita’s father later confirmed her identity based on photographs shared by the police.
Eyewitness accounts suggest she jumped into the river on June 17 near Kaliganj Ghat. Despite efforts to rescue her, strong currents led to her drowning. A separate 999 call from another passenger alleged rape prior to the incident, prompting police to briefly detain two launch staff and the complainant. They were later released. Ipsita’s family has not filed any complaint but has demanded a full investigation to determine if the incident was suicide or murder.
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