International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances observed

FENI, Aug 30: The International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances was observed in the district on Sunday through a human chain and a discussion meeting organised by the human rights organisation Odhikar’s Feni unit.

Relatives of people who have allegedly been subjected to enforced disappearance and human rights activists joined the human chain in front of the Feni Press Club in the afternoon.

Earlier, a discussion meeting was held at the Feni Press Club auditorium. Rowshan Ara Begum, mother of missing Juba Dal leader Mahbubur Rahman Ripon, spoke as the chief guest.

Former Feni Press Club president AKM Abdur Rahim chaired the meeting. Other speakers included former Feni Press Club presidents Muhammad Abu Taher Bhuiyan and Robiul Haque Robi, Saptahik Ananda Taraka Editor M Mamunur Rashid, Bangladesh Primary School Teachers’ Association Central Secretary General Mahiuddin Khandaker and Lions Club of Feni President Zafar Ullah.

Odhikar Feni unit member Zafar Ahmed Bhuiyan presented the keynote paper and journalist Nazmul Haque Shamim, focal person of the unit, moderated the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Rowshan Ara Begum demanded that her son be returned to the family. She said, “Some people, identifying themselves as members of the law enforcement agency RAB, took away my son Mahbubur Rahman Ripon, a Juba Dal leader, in 2014. A powerful Awami League leader in Feni was involved behind the incident. Police did not accept a case after Ripon disappeared. We have not found any trace of him to this day.”

Ripon’s mother, brother, uncle and other relatives, along with human rights activists and invited journalists, attended the rally and discussion meeting.