The families of the victims of enforced disappearance on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding return of them who disappeared during the tenure of the Awami League government.
They also demanded demolishing the secret detention centres called 鈥楢ynaghar鈥� across the country.
They made the demands at a press conference organised by Bangladesh Gum Paribar, a platform for families of enforced disappearance victims, at the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh auditorium in the capital.
Sharing experiences of his disappearance, the platform鈥檚 chief coordinator Mohammad Bellal Hossain questioned the usefulness of judiciary, courts, or law enforcement agencies as these secret detention cells exist in Bangladesh.
Alleging that he was picked up by the Rapid Action Battalion, he said that he was tortured for one month and 10 days in 2016.
鈥業 only heard cries of the victims there. No sound from outside could enter those small rooms. I was released in exchange for crores of taka under many conditions,鈥� he said.
Demanding unveiling the locations of the secret detention cells within 48 hours, he threatened to cordon off all the suspected cells in the country.
Bellal in his written statement said that the interim government formed a five-member investigation committee in this regard on August 27.
鈥楻oadmap of the investigation had not been yet established even after 15 days. Despite repeated contacts, there was no response from them. We want to know when the investigation will be launched,鈥� he said.
Speakers at the event alleged that 70-80 per cent of disappearances, murders and abductions from 2010 to 2024 were carried out by the Rapid Action Battalion.
They demanded trial of all top level officials of RAB, Detective Branch, and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence of that time.
They also demanded disbanding law enforcement agencies involved in such crimes, including the RAB.
Their demands also included providing certificates as evidence to the families of those killed and compensating every victim families.
