The story of Asma Bibi, a Rohingya refugee who fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in 2017, is one of desperation and horror. A Dhaka Tribune report earlier covered how she was trafficked to India before being assaulted and taken advantage of by Shona Mia, a well-known figure among the Rohingya community in Bangalore, who often posed as a missionary. With the support of the wider community, she had begun seeking justice.
In the weeks following the publication of Asma Bibi’s harrowing story, further troubling developments have come to light. They highlight the continued threat that Shona Mia poses. Far from being just a tale of past suffering, Asma’s ordeal seems to be an ongoing campaign of terror orchestrated by this dangerous figure.
September 7: The kidnapping
On that fateful day, Asma Bibi and her uncle were once again confronted by forces far beyond their control. Their stay period at their location had expired in Tripura, India, and they were in the process of searching for a new place to stay while awaiting further instruction from the court and police. It was at this vulnerable moment that they were approached - not by uniformed officers, nor by members of the community—but by four individuals dressed as ordinary civilians.
“As soon as we came out, four people came to us,” Asma recalls. The way they blended in, appearing as regular people in simple attire, was part of their disguise and deception. It was the beginning of a carefully orchestrated abduction.”
From courtrooms to captivity
This abduction was not an isolated event; it was a direct retaliation engineered by Shona Mia, who had been at the centre of Asma's trauma and rape. His intimidation tactics and vile coercion seem to know no bounds. What initially began as a story of trafficking and sexual assault in India has since escalated into a calculated effort to silence Asma Bibi and remove her as a witness against him.
The events that transpired on September 7 revealed just how deeply Shona Mia is willing to dig to maintain control over the situation. Asma and her uncle were kidnapped and held in captivity in a location far from any safety or support, where they were mistreated and abused. These acts not only silenced Asma but strategically took her out of the legal and social contexts where she could advocate for justice. Her continued entrapment reveals the broad and deep reach of Shona Mia's network and his ability to manipulate, threaten, and even abduct key witnesses who stand against him.
Return to Bangladesh and the consequences
Ultimately, Asma was trafficked back to Bangladesh from India, effectively removing her from the jurisdiction of the very legal processes that were meant to protect her. This relocation also removed her from potential support systems in India, and placed her back into a precarious situation, vulnerable to the traffickers who have shown no qualms about continuing to harm her. It was a calculated move on Shona Mia’s part, designed to disempower and intimidate Asma.
She found herself at a police station in Kutupalong Camp 18, where she remained in a state of uncertainty. Her pregnancy, a result of the assault she suffered earlier in the year, remained a pressing issue as she had not been able to proceed with any termination procedures in India. The threats, kidnapping, and trafficking have paralyzed her ability to make choices about her own body and future, and to fight for justice.
A cry for justice amidst continued threats
Asma’s recent experiences are a grave indictment of the impunity with which Shona Mia operates. Despite being named in police complaints and identified as a sexual predator and trafficker, he remains at large, able to continue his campaign of intimidation and violence.
The fact that his actions continue unabated, even after legal complaints, reveals a systemic failure to protect victims and bring traffickers to justice. It also points to the helplessness of the Rohingya community in India, who are aware and deeply frightened of Shona Mia’s ability to harm them.
The role of communities, both Rohingya and international, in speaking out against these actions is more urgent than ever. Asma's experience is not just a personal tragedy; it is a wake-up call to the failure of the systems meant to protect the vulnerable and a call to action for all who wish to see an end to Shona Mia’s destructive influence.
What needs to happen next
The immediate priority is to ensure Asma’s safety. Shona Mia continues to evade justice, and this adds to her trauma and makes her more susceptible to further threats. An urgent appeal should be made to both local and international authorities to guarantee her security and to allow her to make her own decisions without coercion.
Furthermore, bringing attention to her case, particularly through advocacy efforts, is crucial in applying pressure on the authorities to apprehend Shona Mia. The support of the Christian Rohingya communities in Bangladesh, India, and the US, as well as broader human rights organizations, is essential to highlight the ongoing dangers faced by Asma and others like her.
The continued persecution of Asma Bibi is a testament to the cunning and cruelty of Shona Mia. Her kidnapping, trafficking, and the ongoing threats she faces reveal how easily Shona Mia and his accomplices can manipulate systems and evade justice. Asma’s bravery in sharing her story, even with such daunting circumstances, calls upon all of us to act—to stand against injustice, to protect the vulnerable, and to ensure that perpetrators like Shona Mia are held accountable.
Shafiur Rahman is a journalist and documentary maker.