Dateline May 5 Custody is looking for missing evidence

The Dhaka Times Desk Hefazat Islam claimed that 3,000 of its leaders and activists went missing in the Shapla Chatwar raid on the night of May 5. But they have not been able to provide proof of that yet. However, efforts are being made to trace the missing persons.

At first BNP said 2500 people were killed. Later, Hefazat Islam said that 3,000 of its leaders and activists died that night. It was also announced that the madrasas would be searched and a list of these missing would be made. But as they could not publish that list despite their best efforts, questions have arisen about the validity of their claim.

It has been learned that on the instructions of the Central Committee of Custody, the leaders of the district and upazila level committees of the country came down to the field on May 11 to list the missing persons. Inquiries are being made by going to madrasa to madrasa. Three figures are being verified: killed, injured and missing. They tried to find out how many names they have been able to name in the missing list for seven days till the afternoon of yesterday, Friday, May 17. Contact was made with several leaders of Hefazat Central and Trinamool Committees. They told the media that they have not found a single missing person in the last 7 days. Once found, they will inform the media.

According to sources, while preparing the list, the Hefazat leaders came to know that many students of the madrasa dispersed and fled in the face of the raid in Shapla Chattar. After that they started to find safe place on their own initiative. Some take refuge in their homes or relatives. Initially, the students were not found in the madrasa and were assumed to be missing. Later they all returned to their respective Madrasahs. Custodial leaders are now very uncomfortable after getting such information while listing in various places. Ashraf Ali Nizampuri, Acting Secretary General of the Central Committee of Hefazat, told the media on Friday that the names of two or three missing persons are coming from different places. However, he does not know the exact number yet. The media will be informed as soon as the missing information is received. He also commented that the activities of the party have slowed down a bit now.

Source: Daily Kal Kantha.