11 years on, three JnU students still remain missing
In the aftermath of the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, numerous individuals who were victims of enforced disappearance eventually returned to their families. However, three students from Jagannath University(JnU) — Mazharul Islam Russell, Asaduzzaman Rana, and Al Amin — remain missing, even after 11 years.
They were last seen by loved ones on December 4, 2013.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. According to their families, the three were among six individuals allegedly picked up on that day by a group of individuals in civilian clothes from the Bashundhara Residential Area, an event reportedly witnessed by local residents. Law enforcement agencies have consistently denied any involvement in their disappearance.
At the time of their abduction, all three were serving as joint general secretaries of the Jagannath University unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). Despite years of searching, their families are yet to receive any information about their whereabouts.
The missing students were all enrolled in the 2005-06 academic year. Russel and Al Amin were studying Political Science, while Rana was studying Philosophy. Family members claim that the students had no criminal records and were targeted solely for their political affiliations. Despite filing multiple complaints and approaching high-ranking officials in both Rab and the police, the families say they have received little cooperation and were even pressured to withdraw their cases.
Moshiur Rahman, the elder brother of Mazharul Islam Russel, told The Daily Star about his family spends their days in paralysing uncertainty.
"Russel was involved in student politics, and the oppressive Hasina regime abducted him. We don't even know if he is alive," Moshiur said.
Ruhul Amin, the younger brother of Al Amin, shared a similar ordeal. He said that his brother was a bright student who had cleared the written exam for the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) but couldn't appear for the viva due to his disappearance.
"We filed a case with Bhatara police station, but there was no progress. We even received threats from unknown numbers, that's why we withdrew our case," he added.
Mst Minara Begum, the elder sister of Asaduzzaman Rana, expressed her anguish over her brother's disappearance.
"Rana was a good student and was not involved in any wrongdoing. We searched everywhere for him but couldn't find him. We contacted the government commission formed to investigate enforced disappearances, and also contacted the interim government through the 'Mayer Daak' organisation, but so far, they haven't been able to provide any updates. We are still holding on to hope that we will get my brother back," she said.
In Jagannath University today, the university' JCD unit organised a human chain to observe International Human Rights Day.
Speaking at the event, JnU Chhatra Dal President Asaduzzaman Aslam said, "The fascist Awami League violated human rights by jailing the nation's leader Khaleda Zia on false charges and implicating Tarique Rahman in fabricated cases. The killer Hasina turned the entire country into a giant prison, using their goons to turn every educational institution into a haven of terror. Even now, Chhatra Dal activists like Russel, Rana, and Al Amin remain disappeared due to enforced disappearances orchestrated by the Awami regime. Every grieving mother is crying for the return of her child. Every Chhatra Dal activist is yearning to have their missing comrades back."
The human chain was attended by central JCD leadership, along with numerous leaders and activists of the JnU JCD unit.
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