Picked up by ‘DB men’, CUET student missing for 13 days

A fourth year student of Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has been missing for 13 days.

Members of law enforcement agencies have failed to inform the whereabouts of Shahidul Islam Azad, a student of mechanical engineering department.

But the family members alleged that Shahidul Islam was picked up by people who identified them as members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police.

Shahidul’s father Shah Alam filed a general diary (GD) with the Pahartali police station.

The GD statement said Shahidul was staying with his family at Mousumi residential area in Pahartali Saraipara. Around 9:30 on 3 December night, some people, identifying themselves as detectives, picked up Shahidul. Following the incident, the victim’s father Shah Alam contacted local police station and DB office but none could say him anything.

Shah Alam said his son was not involved with any political party. He would just offer his prayers regularly and was not involved with any anti-state activities either.

Distraught Shah Alam requested to whoever has picked up his son to produce him before the court. “Let him face trial if he has committed any crime. At least I want to know where he is now.”

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Pahartali police station inspector (investigation) Rashedul Haque on Sunday said he can’t say anything right now as the matter is under investigation.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-7 Chattogram’s assistant director (media Mahmudul Hasan said they do not know who has picked up the young man.

Speaking about Shahidul, his classmates said they did not know whether he was involved with any organisation.

CUET students’ welfare director Md Mashiul Haque told Prothom Alo that they came to know the matter when Shahidul’s parents contacted the university authorities.

“Police could not tell us anything about him. We hope they will find out Shahidul,” he added.