Most of the 700 victims remain missing, claim participants of a human chain

Staff Correspondent:

Sajedul Islam Sumon, a BNP leader in the capital, was picked up by some “men in black” in December 2013, and though nearly 11 years have passed since then, nobody still knows about his whereabouts.

Though, a few have returned to their families since the fall of autocratic Awami League regime on 5 August, most of the 700 including, Sumon, remain missing, thanks to the highly secretive nature of enforced disappearances carried out allegedly on the orders of the ousted regime.

On Friday, families of many who still remain missing formed a human chain in front of the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

It was the first demonstration by the families, and the credit almost entirely goes to the student-led revolution that drove out autocratic premier Sheikh Hasina from the country on 5 August.

The student leaders of the movement are now demanding drastic reforms in the law enforcement agencies to prevent any future state-backed acts of enforced disappearance, saying the fall of the Hasina-led Awami League government is not enough.

Family members participating in Friday’s human chain even demanded exemplary punishment for all the law enforcement officers involved in the abductions during the 15-year Awami League rule, suggesting the excuse of “working on orders from the top” would not be accepted from these officers.

Among the family members of abducted victims, Sumon’s mother Hajera Khatun was potentially the first to publicly appeal for providing information about her son’s condition.

Hajera’s repeated appearance at press conferences to known about her son’s location inspired many others to come forward and speak up about their missing loved ones – ultimately encouraging them to unite under the banner of “Mayer Daak.”

After Sumon was picked up, his wife, two sisters and mother Hajera went to the police and RAB pleading for information about the BNP leader from capital’s Shaheenbagh area, but none helped. Police even declined to lodge a case.

Seeing no other alternative, Hajera ultimately decided to gather the courage and disclose the matter publicly at a press conference.

The ordeal is the same for almost all others who lost their near and dear ones to unidentified armed men claiming to work for the “administration.” Following, Hajera’s footsteps they too decided to publicise their harrowing stories.

On Friday, along with Hajera, Rehana also took part in the human and demanded the return of her brother Selim Reza Pintu.

Like Sumon, Chhatra Dal leader Pintu was also picked up 11 years ago.

Rehana demanded death by hanging of Sheikh Hasina for allegedly orchestrating her brother’s abduction.

She and others said they are now looking up to the interim government, advisors of which had previously joined them in their pleas for information, to help them find their missing loved ones.