The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Monday claimed that at least 55 missing youths from 18 districts of Bangladesh may have linked up with militant organizations.
So far, 38 people have been identified, reports Bangla Tribune.
“We have detailed information about 38 youths, including their names and addresses. Efforts are being made to collect information on the rest,” RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin said at a press briefing in Dhaka yesterday.
He added that these individuals could attempt sabotage in the country.
How many are missing from each district?
RAB said that there were 15 youths missing from Comilla, seven from Sylhet, six from Patuakhali, four each from Narayanganj and Dhaka, three from Barisal, two each from Faridpur, Jhalokati, and Madaripur, and one each from Netrakona, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Mymensingh, Sunamganj, Khulna, Chandpur, Jhenaidah and Tangail.
RAB recently arrested another five people, including three youths, who had left their homes to allegedly join militant organizations.
One of the arrestees is allegedly the financier involved in the recent disappearances of young men who joined the newly formed militant organization Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, Commander Khandaker Al Moin said on Sunday.
Previously, seven members of Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, including three trainers, were arrested.
Three types of pamphlets of the new militant organization, documents on making explosives, operating procedures of the organization, four copies of the extremist book "Nedaye Tawhid", and some extremist videos were seized from their possession, the RAB official added.
The issue of youths joining militancy came into the limelight after Shartaz Islam Niloy recently reconsidered joining militancy and came back home.
After his return, he was interrogated by RAB. He provided information that led to the arrest of seven others who had been looking to join militant groups.
Niloy and four others went missing on August 23 as they were attempting to join a militant organization. He returned home in the capital’s Kalyanpur on September 1.
