Miraj’s family awaits his return and justice

• Country’s First Enforced Disappearance Case After August 5
• Family Suffers Extreme Mental and Social Insecurity After Losing Its Only Earning Member
• His Family and Eyewitnesses Allege Coast Guard Personnel in Uniform and Plain Clothes Forcibly Took Him Away

Abu Hena Mukti 

Speculation continues over the disappearance of a young man named Mr. Miraj Sheikh, 30, from Mongla in Bagerhat. The case has seen drama, searches, counter searches, and conflicting statements. His family and eyewitnesses say several people in Coast Guard uniforms and plain clothes forcibly took him away from the Joymonir Ghol area of Mongla on April 10 this year. Human rights groups call this the first enforced disappearance in the country since August 5.

The Coast Guard denies any link to the case. This widely discussed disappearance has now prompted the government to act. Meanwhile, Mr. Miraj’s family spends its days in deep anxiety, still without word of him and still demanding justice. The family remains deeply shaken and fearful, and continues a difficult legal and social struggle.

His wife, Ms. Mukta Khatun, his father, Mr. Mostofa Sheikh, and his sister, Ms. Liza Islam, have lost the family’s only earning member. They now face severe mental distress and social insecurity. The family says Mr. Miraj went fishing on April 10, came home around 11 AM, and slept. Before evening, he received several calls from an unknown number and left the house.

Around 7 PM, two men in plain clothes seized him in front of a tea stall in the Joymonir Thota area. His wife, Ms. Mukta, rushed to the scene after hearing the news. She saw Mr. Miraj being taken toward Mongla on a Coast Guard speedboat. Ms. Mukta Khatun said she saw the Coast Guard take her husband away with her own eyes.

She said the Coast Guard now denies this. She has accused the Coast Guard of forcibly disappearing her husband. Human rights workers have expressed deep concern, calling this the first enforced disappearance case in the country since August 5. They say the case deserves serious attention.

Mr. Md. Asaduzzaman, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, recently visited Bagerhat. He said Mr. Miraj Sheikh’s case is an important one for the whole of Bangladesh. He said the disappearance complaint is being investigated carefully and seriously, and the government will ensure his family receives justice.

According to sources, Mr. Miraj’s father filed a writ petition on June 12. On July 12, the High Court ordered law enforcement agencies to find Mr. Miraj and produce him before the court. After his disappearance, family members were arrested during protests on charges of vandalizing government property. They were later granted bail with help from the Legal Aid unit of the Ministry of Law.

Human rights groups have taken a strong stand on the case. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) have demanded a fair and independent investigation. Human rights worker Mr. Nur Khan Liton alleges that eyewitnesses and local residents face pressure to stay silent about the case.

During discussion of the anti enforced disappearance bill in parliament, the opposition Chief Whip expressed deep concern. He demanded that Mr. Miraj Sheikh and all other disappearance victims be found and returned to their families. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has completely denied the allegations against it.

The Coast Guard says it never detained or held Mr. Miraj Sheikh in custody. It claims he faces local allegations of helping Sundarbans pirates with logistics and of involvement in drug trafficking. Home Minister Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed said local anger over the removal of a pontoon may have led to the case being framed as an enforced disappearance.

He also suggested the incident could stem from internal conflict among pirate groups. Mongla police are currently investigating the case based on a general diary entry. Mr. Miraj’s wife, Ms. Mukta Khatun, his sister, Ms. Liza Islam, and rights groups HRSS and BLAST held a press conference at the National Press Club.

They demanded Mr. Miraj be rescued alive. When family members and locals sought information about Mr. Miraj, clashes broke out with the Coast Guard. Several people, including Mr. Miraj’s mother, sister, and wife, were detained and later faced charges. There are also allegations that witnesses have faced intimidation.

Mr. Muhammad Mujahidul Islam, the lawyer for the writ petitioner, said the petition asks why authorities should not be ordered to produce Mr. Miraj and disclose his location. He said this would let the court confirm he has not been illegally detained. Nine respondents must answer the rule, including the Home Secretary, the Director General of the Coast Guard, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of RAB, the Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat, and the Superintendent of Police.