'Bring our sons home alive': Faridpur families seek govt action over 24 missing youths in Libya
The families say the youths went to Libya through a local broker after being promised good jobs but have had no contact with them for nearly three years.
For nearly three years, 24 families in Faridpur have waited for word from their sons who went to Libya in search of work and a better life. Fearing that the young men may be held in Libyan prisons, the families are now urging the government to take swift diplomatic steps to bring them home alive.
The missing youths are from Faridpur's Saltha, Nagarkanda and Boalmari upazilas. Their families say they sold land, borrowed money and took loans to send the young men abroad in the hope that they would help overcome their families' financial hardships.
According to the families, their sons went to Libya through a broker, Parvez Molla of Saltha, who allegedly promised them good jobs. They say all contact with the youths was lost after they arrived in Libya.
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Among those reported missing are Riaz Molla, Tuhin Sardar, Firoz Molla, Tanvir Molla, Md Hasibul Hasan, Robiul Islam and Salman Molla.
'Bring my son home alive'
The mother of missing youth Hasibul Hasan broke down while describing the family's ordeal.
"For three years, I have had no news of my son. I wait every day, hoping he will call even once. I beg the government to bring my child back to the country alive," she said.
Nannu Khan, father of missing Robiul Islam, said the family had sold land and taken loans to send his son abroad.
"We sold land and borrowed money to send our son abroad. Now we have neither the money nor any news of him. We just want our son back," he said.
The families said they had approached the administration for help in bringing their relatives back, but their efforts had so far produced no result.
Syed Khairul Islam, chairman of the Pacharer Shikar Manob Uddhar O Shishu Surokkha Songstha, said the 24 families were now destitute and helpless.
He said the missing youths could be brought back only through swift diplomatic efforts by the state.
Broker unavailable for comment
Attempts were made several times to contact Parvez Molla, the alleged broker from Barkhaidia village in Saltha, but his mobile phone was switched off.
He was also not found at his home. Locals told this correspondent that he was believed to be in hiding.
His response to the allegations could not be obtained.
Authorities promise assistance
The Nagarkanda upazila administration said that, after receiving applications from the families, it would verify the identities and citizenship of the missing youths and forward the cases to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the district administration.
Nagarkanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rezwana Afrin said the matter was humanitarian and that the administration would provide all possible assistance in coordination with the relevant ministries.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Muhammad Al Fahad, in charge of Nagarkanda Circle, said several government offices were involved in efforts to bring the missing youths back.
"Our circle office and police stations are carrying out the necessary work in accordance with the law. Information is being collected about these broker networks and legal action is under way," he said.
The 24 families across the three upazilas are now waiting for news of their loved ones. Their plea remains the same: they want the government to take swift action and bring their relatives home alive.
