Tahsina Rushdir Luna, the wife of missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali, believes that the mystery surrounding her husband's disappearance will only be uncovered when a truly representative, people’s government comes to power.
Thursday marks 13 years since the former BNP organizing secretary and ex-Sylhet-2 MP went missing along with his driver, Ansar Ali.
His whereabouts remain unknown to this day, and the mystery surrounding his disappearance is still unresolved.
His elderly mother, Surjabaan Bibi, his wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna, and their children continue to wait for his return.
Sylhet BNP President Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury said: “We believe he (Ilias) is still alive and the concerned authorities are aware of his whereabouts.”
On the night of April 17, 2012, M Ilias Ali went missing along with Ansar Ali on his way home from the capital’s Mohakhali area.
That night, Ilias Ali’s car was recovered from Mohakhali, but there has been no trace of him or his driver since then.
To mark the day, Sylhet BNP formed a human chain in Sylhet city and submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner demanding the whereabouts of Ilias Ali.
“It is a matter of national shame that there is still no trace of Ilias Ali,” said Qayyum Chowdhury.
“We are continuing our movement in hopes of justice. We strongly demand the formation of an international-standard investigation commission for impartial and proper inquiry into enforced disappearances and human rights violations,” he added.
Referring to the recent return of some individuals detained in the Aynaghor, he said: “These incidents have brought the issue of Ilias Ali’s disappearance back into the spotlight. Similarly, we demand the whereabouts and release of the missing.”
13 long years
Not just days or months—13 years have gone by. Yet the wait continues.
Law enforcement agencies have not provided any clear statement about Ilias Ali’s whereabouts. Still, his family remains hopeful for his return.
His mother, Surjabaan Bibi, continues to wait for her son. Her tears have nearly dried up from crying over the years.
Following his disappearance, a fierce nationwide movement emerged demanding Ilias Ali’s safe return.
In his constituency, Bishwanath, three people lost their lives during protests. The central BNP also carried out a series of continuous programs.
Ilias’s wife, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, even appealed to then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina for help in finding her husband.
Two days after his disappearance, Luna filed a writ petition in the High Court, accusing law enforcement personnel of illegally detaining her husband.
Party leaders echoed the same allegations at the time.
Luna sought a High Court directive to produce Ilias Ali in court. Responding to her writ, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities to explain within 10 days why Ilias Ali should not be produced in court to prove he was not illegally detained.
However, no visible steps have since been taken by either the petitioner or the government regarding the hearing of that petition.
Speaking to the media, Luna said: “It has been 13 long years since Ilias Ali disappeared. As long as there are tears in our eyes, we will continue to shed them while waiting for our loved one. We sought help from the government but found no results. The government has failed to provide any trace of Ilias Ali. We now leave it to the court of Allah."
