Family members of victims of “enforced disappearances” yesterday organised a human chain in Dhaka, demanding to know whereabouts of their near and dear ones before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Family members and relatives of 12 victims of enforced disappearances, political leaders and rights activists, among others, were present at the programme organised under the banner of “Ma-er Daak” (Call of Mother) in front of Jatiya Press Club to voice their demands for bringing back their loved ones, dead or alive.

The victims went missing in between late 2013 and early 2014.

Family members of the victims claimed that members of law enforcement agencies picked them up and since then they are missing -- the allegation is, however, rejected by law enforcement agencies. 

At yesterday's programme, Rina Alam, wife of Nur Alam, said it has become a regular task for her to check corpses at morgues, in search of her husband.

Saleha Begum, mother of SM Moazzem Hossain Topu, another victim, said the prime minister will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with her near and dear ones. “I urge the honourable prime minister to bring back my son before Eid.”  

Ayesha Ali, mother of Abdul Kader, said five years have passed since she has been waiting for her son to return. “Every night I keep the door of my room open, hoping my son will return and will call me.”  

Seven-year-old Lamia Akhtar Mim, daughter of Kaosar, requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take necessary steps to find her father.

“I keep my father's photograph in my hand, but I want to hold his hand. Please return my father to me,” she said.

Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the families of the victims of enforced disappearance are kept in dark. Blaming law enforcement for incidents of enforced disappearance, he said such crimes should be stopped otherwise anyone can become a victim.

Rights Activist Nur Khan urged the government to form an independent probe commission to investigate the cases of abductions and enforced disappearances.