Police from Tejgoan Police Station recently attempted to arrest Sajedul Islam Sumon, a BNP leader who has been missing for nearly 12 years following an alleged enforced disappearance. The incident, which took place at Sumon’s family house at Tejgaon, led to the withdrawal of police officer who led the operation.
Sumon, former general secretary of BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan Ward No. 38 (now Ward No. 25), was reportedly picked up in December 2013 by men identifying themselves as law enforcement officers. His whereabouts have remained unknown since.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Akram Hossain, who led the police team, was withdrawn from duty.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), the team members involved were unaware that house belonged to a BNP leader who has been missing for over a decade. The confusion reportedly arose because the team members had only recently joined DMP and were not informed about Sumon's disappearance.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, provided these details on Friday.
He stated that a team from Tejgaon Police Station, led by SI Md Akram Hossain, went to Shahinbagh area under Tejgaon jurisdiction on Thursday to execute a pending arrest warrant. In the process, they visited the home of missing BNP leader.
"All members of the team had recently joined DMP and were unaware that this was Sumon’s residence. The incident occurred due to a lack of prior knowledge," said DC Talebur Rahman.
He added that SI Akram Hossain has been withdrawn from duty, and DMP sincerely regrets the incident. "DMP expresses its sympathy to all victims of repressive actions and enforced disappearances under the fascist regime and assures their families of full security and support," he said.
Meanwhile, Sumon's sister, Sanjida Islam Tuli, who has long been campaigning for her brother’s return through a platform named Mayer Dak (A Mother’s Call), expressed disbelief.
She questioned how, even after all these years, police could return with an arrest warrant for someone allegedly abducted under Sheikh Hasina government’s targeted disappearances.
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