RAB released a list of 260 missing people

MNA Editorial Desk: The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has released a list of 260 people missing from numerous parts of Bangladesh in present times. The government had been collecting information on youths reported missing for some time.

However, the five gunmen who attacked an upscale cafe in Dhaka on July 1 and killed 20 hostages had been missing for several months, according to their families. One of the Sholakia attackers had also been missing for the past four months.

Law enforcement agencies had exposed the names of 10 other missing youths. Apart from that list, fresh information is still reaching the agencies about other missing youths.

The new list of 260 people was posted on RAB’s Online Media Cell’s Facebook page around Tuesday midnight.

“Please contact your nearest RAB battalion or camp if you can identify any of them,” the Facebook post read, while providing a phone number – 01777720050 – for direct contact.

RAB Director Genral Benazir Ahmed on Monday also announced Tk. 1 million rewards for former militants who are willing to cooperate by providing information to law enforcers after returning to normal life.

“Their families will be provided security. A regular individual who provides information on militant activities will be rewarded Tk. 500,000 and their identities will be kept confidential.” he added.

“If there are any missing family members, please tell us; don’t be afraid that law-enforcement agencies will take your sons away. Their lives and other lives can be saved if they are found.” He further said.

Local media outlets have reported that dozens of people including doctors, engineers and students from elite universities have travelled to the Middle East to join the IS group.

On the other hand, a family of a doctor has disappeared amid growing fears about missing individuals turning up as terrorists. Relatives in Dhaka say they fear the family of five has made their way to Islamic State-held territory in Syria.

Pediatrician Khandaker Rokonuddin, 50, his wife Naima Akhter, 45, daughters Rezwana Rokon, 23, and Ramita Rokon, 15, and son-in-law Saad Qayes, 30, left Dhaka on Oct 10 last.

The doctor from Dhaka Shishu Hospital used to live in Chowdhury Parha at Khilgaon. His wife Naima taught botany at a college outside the capital city.