The commission formed to investigate enforced disappearances during the Awami League’s tenure has so far received 1,837 allegations, with 1,772 cases reviewed, according to its preliminary report. Of the victims, 1,427 — about 81% — have reportedly returned, while 345 remain missing.
Investigations suggest many of those still missing are believed to have been killed. Sources claim that a secret detention and torture facility, referred to as ‘Aynaghar’, was used to detain, interrogate and, in some cases, kill individuals critical of the government.
The facility is alleged to have been established in 2009 under the direction of Tarique Siddique, former military adviser to then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to investigative findings, it was operated with the support of certain military and law enforcement officials, and targeted political opponents, social media critics, and individuals involved in personal disputes with influential figures.
Records from the commission indicate that those taken to the facility included members of BNP (37), Islami Chhatra Shibir (31), Jamaat-e-Islami (25), Islami Andolon (2), Hefazat-e-Islam (2), Awami League (2), Khelafat Majlish (2), and Tabligh Jamaat (1). Some individuals were allegedly detained over personal or business disputes, including senior military officers who opposed Siddique’s actions.
The Aynaghar system reportedly operated in multiple stages — starting with surveillance of dissenters, followed by intimidation, interrogation, and, in certain cases, abduction and torture. Victims and families claim that in many instances, individuals were forced to surrender property or pay large sums of money to secure release.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has also referred to Aynaghar in its recent report. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, despite “various obstacles,” visited the site and was briefed on the alleged torture methods.
In addition to enforced disappearances, the report alleges that Siddique expanded the use of “crossfire” killings through regular communication with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), targeting political opponents and, later, individuals connected to his business and personal interests.
High-profile disappearances, such as that of BNP leader M Ilias Ali in Sylhet and Ekramul Haque Chowdhury in Cox’s Bazar, have been linked to these operations. The commission’s findings also suggest the facility was used for land grabbing in Gazipur, where properties were allegedly taken over by detaining owners until they signed over deeds.
The investigation portrays Aynaghar as serving four main purposes: elimination of opposition, consolidation of political power, suppression of corruption whistle-blowers, and extortion.
The commission’s full report is yet to be released.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
