75% of disappeared persons who have returned alive are Jamaat-Shibir leaders, 22% BNP

Of the people who have been disappeared at various times in the country, 75 percent are Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists. Apart from this, 22 percent of those who have returned alive are associated with BNP and its affiliates.

This information has emerged in the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances.

On Sunday (January 4), the Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances submitted its final report to the interim government's chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The report was handed over at the state guest house Jamuna in the afternoon.

The 'Inquiry Commission' in this regard has said that it has found evidence of disappearances on the orders of the highest level of the government during the one and a half decade rule of the ousted Awami League.

According to the information provided by the commission, 68 percent of those who are still missing are BNP and its affiliates' leaders and 22 percent are Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists.

The commission's report said that a total of 1,913 complaints of disappearances were filed. After verification, 1,569 complaints were identified as disappearances according to the definition. Out of these, 287 complaints were included in the missing and dead category.

According to the commission, the highest number of murders and disappearances of bodies occurred in the Baleshwar River in Barisal. Evidence has been found that dozens of disappearance victims were killed and thrown into the river. In addition, information about disappearances of bodies has also come to light in the Buriganga River and Munshiganj.

Commission member Nabila Idris said that the actual number of disappearances could be between four and six thousand. Many victims or their families have not yet contacted the commission. Some do not know about the commission, some have left the country. Again, many were contacted, but they did not agree to give off-the-record statements.

Commission members said that the enforced disappearances were mainly motivated by political interests. Analysis of the information collected proved that it was a politically motivated crime.

The report mentioned that evidence has been found of the direct involvement of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Defense Adviser Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddique and the then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the high-profile disappearances. Notable victims in these incidents include BNP leaders Ilias Ali, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Chowdhury Alam, Jamaat leader former Brigadier General Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem and former Ambassador Maruf Zaman.

The commission members said that the former Prime Minister had directly ordered several disappearances. In addition, information has also been found about the rendition of the disappeared victims to India, which is not possible without the highest level of the government's orders.