The families of eight BNP activists, who were allegedly picked up by RAB in December last year, have said they still did not have any clue about the whereabouts of their dear ones.
The families yesterday talked to journalists in a media conference at the capital’s National Press Club.
Ferdousi Begum, sister of “absconded” Sajedul Islam Sumon, alleged that RAB 1 members picked up her brother and five others in broad daylight on December 4 last year in the capital’s Basundhara Residential Area.
Later, upon getting information them, two other BNP activists were picked up from their residences on the same day, she said.
Asked how they got sure that it was RAB 1, Ferdousi said: “Labourers working in the area informed us that my brother and the others were picked up on to a car that had a RB 1 sticker.”
Sumon, Torikul Islam Jhontu, Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Masum, Mazharul Islam Rasel, Asaduzzaman, Jahidul Karim Tanvir were allegedly “absconded” from Bashundhara. They were all activists of Chhatra Dal, BNP’s student front.
Later that night, Kawsar Ahmed, a leader of BNP’s volunteer’s wing Swechchhasebak Dal, and another Chhatra Dal activist AM Adnan Chowdhury were taken from their own residences.
“RAB members went to Kawsar and Adnan’s house in the Shahinbagh area in Tejgaon late in the night. They said there were from RAB and were taking the two only for interrogation. They assured that they would returned home safely” Ferdousi said.
Rasel’s sister Nusrat later told the Dhaka Tribune that her brother and their friends were all brilliant students of the Jagannath University. “Everyone in the area knew them as good kids. They were never involved in any crime.”
However, seeking anonymity, another member of one of the families told the Dhaka Tribune that Kawsar and Sumon were wanted in political cases filed with the Tejgaon police station.
Members of the other families alleged that the Bhatara police station did not accept even a general diary. The families of Masum, Tanvir, Rana and Rasel managed to file general diaries with the capital’s Tejgaon and Mugda police station – far from the area of concern.
Adnan’s mother Kanis Begum told the press conference: “How much time do they [RAB] need interrogate my child? The RAB members took my son telling us they needed to interrogate him.”
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of citizen movement Nagorik Oikya, said at the conference: “The Prime Minister is in charge of the Home Ministry. So, the prime minister must know about the forced disappearances carried out by the law enforcement agencies. She has to take the responsibilities for these incidents.”
Terming RAB a “killer force,” Manna said: “Forced disappearances staged by law enforcement agencies should be investigated. But this never happens because the higher levels do not want it. Nobody can file cases against them [RAB].”
Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of rights organisation Odhikar, said: “Like 1971-74, abduction has again started in the country. We have to raise our voice against these crimes. This is also extreme violation of human rights.”
Constitution specialist Shadhin Malik, who also attended the media briefing, told the Dhaka Tribune: “I have heard that UN representatives have arrived in the country to take more soldiers for peacekeeping missions. I request them to not take anyone from RAB.”
The Dhaka Tribune failed to reach the chief of RAB 1 despite repeated attempts to communicate over phone.
Mufti Mahmud, new director of RAB’s Media and Legal Wing, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We attach highest priority to any reported case of abduction irrespective of the location.
“But everyone these days points finger at RAB. There might be evil intentions behind this... The allegation you [the reporter] are talking about is still out of my knowledge. I will know more about this tomorrow and hold a media briefing tomorrow if needed,” he said.