Anti-discriminatory student movement’s Jahangirnagar University unit coordinator Arif Sohel has been allegedly picked up by plainclothes law enforcers in Dhaka.
The family members of Asif claimed that a group of people identifying themselves as law enforcers picked him up from his own house at Mansurnagar Housing in Savar's Ambagan area around 3:50am on Sunday.
Asif’s father Abul Khayer, said: “Around 3:50am, a group of 8-10 people entered our house, confiscating everyone’s phones. Based on both their ID cards and their behaviour, we were certain that they were either from the Detective Branch (DB) or the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“Later, they took Arif Sohel and my elder son Mohammad Ali Jewel in a black microbus. When I asked where my sons were being taken, they told me to contact the Ashulia police station,” he added.
On Sunday morning, when Asif’s father went to the Ashulia police station, where they informed him that no such operation was conducted from there. Later, he went to the Savar police station, where they told him to come during office hours. Afterwards, he went to the DB office behind Savar City Center and found their office locked.
“While I was inquiring at the police station, my elder son Mohammad Ali Jewel was dropped off in the Genda area of Savar by the people who took him, after giving him Tk100 for a rickshaw fare, Jewel returned home. I assume that Arif Sohel has been taken to a DB or CID office in Dhaka,” Asif’s father further added.
Mentioning himself as a freedom fighter and he was recognized by the Muktijoddha Command Council under Sector 2 Commander Khaled Mosharraf. He said: “I demand the whereabouts and unconditional release of my son."
Ashulia police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AFM Sayed said: "We are not aware of any incident involving picking up the university student. However, no one has been brought to Ashulia police station regarding this matter."
A total of five coordinators have been picked so far.
On Friday afternoon, DB officials took three coordinators, Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumder, into their custody from the capital's Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital.
On Saturday evening, DB officials took custody of two more coordinators, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah.
Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud had earlier alleged that they were abducted and tortured.