There has been increasing incidents of abduction in the country sometimes by persons introducing themselves as members of law enforcing agencies. During the last two months January and February about 40 people were victims of forced disappearance, media reports said.
The number was 53 last year, reports of rights bodies said. Those who have been subjected to forced disappearance include political activists,, businessmen, teachers and students. Families of the victims have been passing their days in agonies waiting for return of their near and dear ones.
Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), source said among this year’s abducted four were from Bangladesh Chhatra League , two from JCD, three from Jamaat-e-Islami and 11 from the BNP. Of those abducted nine have no political identity ASK source told the media.
Of the 40 people abducted this year, bodies of seven were found while two were later released .
In early April last year, Mofizul Islam Rashed, 32, a Chhatra Dal leader was picked up from in front of Diamond Garment on Mirpur Mazar Road’s second colony allegedly by members of Detective Branch (DB) of Police, his family alleged.
Rashed’s uncle Mohammad Titu said their efforts to trace him produced no result as DB and RAB offices denied having any information about him. On April 11, Nazrul Islam, a teacher of Joypurhat Talimul Islam School and College, was picked up allegedly by some members of law enforcing agencies. He is yet to be traced.
In January this year five AL activists were allegedly picked up for their alleged involvement in the killing of another party man, Singra Upazila Chairman Fazlur Rahman. Family members of the victim alleged that he was taken away by a group of DB men , media reports said.
These “missing” people also include Singra BNP’s Organising Secretary Ibrahim Khalil and local AL activist Shamsul Islam.
In March 2012, Sylhet district Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Dinar and another leader Junaid were picked up in identical manner. They remain traceless till now.
Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker said if anybody could prove the involvement of members of law enforcing agencies in such abduction, the authorities would take action appropriate punitive action against him/ her.
Pointing out that from 2009 to 2013 more than 156 persons were reportedly victims of disappearance, ASK source told the media.
