‘All men fled village, all mothers silenced ’, missing fisherman Miraj’s mother says, family pleads for justice

Four-and-a-half months after Miraj Sheikh, a fisherman, went missing after he was allegedly picked up by people identifying themselves as Coast Guard members from the Joymonir area of Mongla upazila in Bagerhat. 

News of the matter soon spread throughout the country, sparking fears of a return of “enforced disappearances”.

But Miraj did not return. 

On Monday, the family made yet another plea: return our son home. 

“I make only one demand to the government: return my son. I want him back in whatever condition he is in,” Miraj’s mother Taslima Begum said, breaking down into tears at a press conference organised by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST).

Taslima also recounted the harrowing days following the disappearance, alleging harassment and torture by the Coast Guard.   

“They are torturing people so much that villagers cannot stay. Coast Guard members come to the village and beat people. They have still kept a 15-year-old boy named Musa arrested. People cannot even eat at peace at night.They made us serve 27 days in jail over false cases.” 

At the conference titled “Return Miraj Sheikh” at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Auditorium of the National Press Club, the organisers said the event was to highlight highlight the disappearance of Miraj Sheikh, share the concerns of the victim’s family, their demand for justice and the related human rights situation.

Sister recounts alleged disappearance

At the conference, Miraj’s sister Liza Islam said her brother was a fisherman and also drove motorcycles for hire. 

At around 7pm on April 10, two plainclothes Coast Guard members and a boatman named Mizan came by boat from Kochghat in the Joymonir area and took Miraj Sheikh from near Alamin’s tea stall. 

Later, as four people could not travel in the small boat, Mizan was sent to bring a larger boat. 

As Mizan was late, Miraj and the two Coast Guard members were taken to Harbaria Station in another boat, which was passing by.

According to the family, 30–40 minutes after Miraj was taken to Harbaria Station, a Coast Guard speedboat arrived there from the Mongla side. 

There were 8–10 uniformed Coast Guard members on it. The words “Bangladesh Coast Guard” were written on the speedboat, which was then used to whisk Miraj away. 

The family claimed the incident took place in front of local villagers and Miraj’s wife.

Miraj’s wife Mukta Khatun said that after receiving the news, she went to the Coast Guard pontoon and saw her husband detained there. 

There were 8 to 10 people in Coast Guard uniforms and another 6 to 7 people in plainclothes. 

Miraj was taken into a room with black glass. 

Around 30 minutes later, a speedboat bearing the words Coast Guard arrived and took him towards the Harbaria camp.

The family further said Miraj’s motorcycle was left at Al-Amin’s shop when he was taken away. Miraj had the motorcycle key with him. 

Around 10–11 days later, two Coast Guard members, along with boatman Mizan, came late at night and took the motorcycle away. 

The family claimed that one of them, named Robin, identified himself as a Coast Guard member and showed an identity card.

A general diary (GD) was filed on April 23 after Miraj was taken away. 

According to the family, when they contacted the Coast Guard on April 10, 11 and 12, and finally a member admitted that Miraj was in their custody and said he would be released within two or three days if no crime was found after interrogation, or a case would be filed against him.

According to the family, on April 11, when Miraj’s wife went to the Digragaj Coast Guard base, a member named “Ukasing” told her that they would go on an operation with Miraj and that if she came around 4pm, she would be given an opportunity to meet him. 

The family claimed that at the time another Coast Guard officer said Miraj had not eaten since the previous night. 

However, when she went in the afternoon, an officer named “Shahin” denied that anyone named Miraj had been detained.

On May 8, a press conference was held at Mongla Press Club, and on May 26 another was held at Bagerhat Press Club, demanding that Miraj be traced and returned to his family. 

Later, a human chain was also held.

A family jailed, an entire locality cowered 

The family further alleged that when Miraj’s family members and locals went to the Harbaria Coast Guard Station on June 11, Coast Guard members charged them with batons. 

During this time, Miraj’s wife, mother and sister were beaten and detained, and later two cases were filed against them and other family members. They remained in jail for around 27 days.

The family also alleged that on August 2 and 3, villagers were called to a local depot and shop, intimidated, given money, and statements and videos were taken from them regarding Miraj’s disappearance. 

They claimed that attempts were being made in this way to change or influence the statements of local people.

The family further alleged that on August 11, Miraj’s family members were called to the police station, where their statements were recorded and they were made to sign them. 

They claimed that on August 15 as well, several local residents were called to Mongla, intimidated and given money, and videos were recorded containing misleading statements about the Miraj incident.

Miraj Sheikh’s sister Liza Islam said, “My brother is a poor man. My sister-in-law [Miraj’s wife] works at the EPZ. Once, when she was called from the police station and was coming after taking leave from the EPZ, someone followed her on the road and told her to get on his motorcycle. When my sister-in-law asked why she should get on, he told her, ‘We are not disappearing your husband! But this time, we will make you disappear you too.’”

A whole village devoid of men

Describing their experiences of harassment at different times, she said, “It also happened that they came and knocked on our door at two or three in the morning. They came and said, ‘You are searching for Miraj, but we will make you disappear, too. Stop searching right now.’”

She said after getting out of jail, the family remained in hiding for almost a month.  

“So much torture was inflicted in our village that the entire area became devoid of men. Many could not stay at home. Some hid inside broken graves, some in ponds and some spent the whole night hiding in rotten ditches.”

Liza Islam said many people, starting from small children, were beaten. 

People have become so frightened that no one wants to speak now. 

She said threats were made after homes were vandalised. 

In such a situation, no mother would want to testify out of concern for her child’s safety.

Not only incident of enforced disappearance, conference told

At the press conference, former member of the National Human Rights Commission Md Nur Khan Liton said the interim government had given the National Human Rights Commission jurisdiction to investigate such incidents through an ordinance. However, the ordinance was not subsequently recognised as law. 

He said the government is now talking about enacting a stronger law and a related proposal has also been approved by the Cabinet. But the proposed law does not give the Human Rights Commission jurisdiction to investigate incidents such as enforced disappearances.

“While investigating the Miraj Sheikh incident, we learned about another incident in which a journalist was also allegedly picked up. As a result, the need for an independent and impartial investigation into such incidents has become even clearer,” he said.

Nur Khan Liton said that when allegations arise that members of one law enforcement agency have committed crimes against another agency, it is extremely difficult under the current circumstances for the police to conduct an impartial investigation.

He said, “We would want there to be an opportunity for such incidents to be investigated by the Human Rights Commission or another independent body. For the police to investigate such crimes committed by law enforcement agencies simply does not fit with the present time or the current reality in any way.”

HRSS said that following the July mass uprising of 2024, this was the first enforced disappearance in Bangladesh.

They demanded that, in accordance with the High Court’s directive, Miraj Sheikh be immediately found alive and in good health and produced before the court, and that disciplinary action be taken against those responsible for failing to comply with the legal process.

They demanded that an independent and impartial investigation be conducted into all the Coast Guard members involved in the incident and that accountability be ensured.

They also demanded that the National Human Rights Commission be strengthened further to prevent enforced disappearances and be given the power to conduct investigations independently.

Former Assistant Attorney General Advocate Mujahidul Islam Shahin, HRSS General Secretary Mohammad Moniruzzaman, BLAST Director Md Borkot Ali, Executive Director of HRSS Ijajul Islam and Miraj Sheikh’s seven-year-old son Mahir were present at the press conference.