Dhaka, July 20 -- Amid debate raging over why no autopsies were conducted on four men killed during violent clashes in Gopalganj last week, the district's main public hospital has issued a formal explanation rejecting claims of negligence.

Signed by Dr Jibitesh Biswas, superintendent of the 250-bed Gopalganj General Hospital, the statement was released through the chief advisor's press wing on Sunday.

"The claim that the hospital authorities deliberately handed over the bodies without autopsy is completely baseless and false," the statement said.

Four people were shot dead and at least nine others injured by gunfire after alleged members of the Awami League clashed with police and Army personnel during a rally of the Nationalist Citize...