Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses grave concern over the retrieval of seven dead-bodies from the Shitalakhya River at Narayanganj.

According to different media reports, seven people including the City Corporation Councillor and a Lawyer were abducted at Narayanganj on 27 April 2014. Later their dead bodies were retrieved on 30 April 2014 and 1 May 2014 from the Shitalakhya River. It is quite apparent from the state of the dead-bodies that they were being killed by a class of trained people.

We have been observing that these kinds of abduction and killings have taken an increasing toll in recent time. According to ASK documentation, based on different sources and media reports, 54 people have allegedly abducted by the law-enforcing agencies all over the country in the last four months of 2014. Among them only 8 people have returned, 15 dead-bodies were found and the rest are still missing. The recurrence of abduction incidents strongly proves the deteriorating law and order situation of the country which has pushed citizens into extreme fear and unprecedented insecurity.

Although few measures, like the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Police Super (SP) as well as RAB and Police officials of Narayanganj district, the decision to remove black or tinted glasses from all vehicles have taken, we think that the government should do lot more to hold the perpetrators accountable to stop recurrence of such crimes.

We would like to recall Article-32 of the Constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh which ensures that ‘no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty.’ Hence, we want to emphasize that, whoever is involved in this brutal crime, the State cannot deny its responsibility to protect its citizens.

 Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) urges the Government to take immediate action to find out the perpetrators through proper and independent investigation and take legal action against them. We also strongly urge the Government to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Bangladesh. 

Press Statement_ ASK_ 2 May 2014_PDF