Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said he will write to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman requesting the introduction of a special government allowance for families of people who were forcibly disappeared during the previous regime.
He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the film Mayer Daak at the Bangladesh Film Archive auditorium.
During his speech, the minister became emotional while recalling the suffering of families whose loved ones were allegedly subjected to enforced disappearance during the past government. He said the state must take responsibility to support the children of the victims and ensure their future.
“Many of us have become ministers, MPs or senior officials today. But the children of those who disappeared while fighting for democracy are still facing an uncertain future,” Fakhrul said.
“Although various government allowances exist in different sectors, we have not yet been able to introduce a specific initiative for these families. I will write to the prime minister as soon as I return, requesting that a monthly state allowance be provided to them. This is not charity; it is their rightful due,” he added.
The minister emphasized that financial support for these families is urgently needed, noting that many have endured years of hardship without adequate state recognition.
Fakhrul also criticized former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, alleging that she is attempting to destabilize Bangladesh from abroad.
“What hurts the most is that the fascist leader Sheikh Hasina is sitting abroad without any remorse and continues trying to destabilize Bangladesh. I consider this a criminal offense an offense against humanity,” he said.
While recalling past efforts to support families of the disappeared, Fakhrul mentioned an iftar event organized years ago during Ramadan in the presence of Khaleda Zia, where children of victims were invited.
“Seeing Tuli’s mother beside me and Munna’s mother sitting behind reminded me of those days,” he said emotionally, adding that Munna’s father had searched for his missing son as far as India before eventually dying without justice.
The minister praised Sanjida Islam Tuli, coordinator of the organization Mayer Daak, which represents families of victims of enforced disappearances, describing her as a “true hero.”
“When many were afraid to speak, this young woman went alone to Geneva and fought before the Human Rights Commission,” he said. “However, it is our national failure that we could not ensure her victory in the election.”
Expressing hope about the upcoming film, Fakhrul said Mayer Daak could become an important cultural work documenting Bangladesh’s struggle.
“Since the Language Movement of 1952, we have seen very few high-quality literary or artistic works reflecting our national struggles. I hope this film will achieve that standard and present the true history of our struggle to future generations,” he said.
The film Mayer Daak, directed and produced by Labib Nazmus Sakib, focuses on the struggles and hardships faced by women from families affected by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
The project received a grant of Tk75 lakh from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the fiscal year 2024–25. According to the filmmaker, the 80-minute documentary may cost around Tk1.15 crore to produce.
Speaking at the event, Chittagong-7 MP Hummam Quader Chowdhury said: “We do not want to return to a Bangladesh where people disappear. The torture we experienced must never happen to anyone again.”
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana expressed hope that the film would highlight humanitarian values and convey a powerful message grounded in truth.
Hazera Khatun, whose life story is featured in the film, also spoke at the event, saying the documentary would bring the suffering and struggles of families of the disappeared before the nation.
Speakers at the event expressed hope that the film would raise public awareness about enforced disappearances and deliver a strong message in favor of justice and humanity.
The event, chaired by Sanjida Islam Tuli, was also attended by Madaripur-3 MP Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder and heads of various departments and agencies under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
