Miraj missing for four and a half months; rights groups allege first post-uprising enforced disappearance

Four and a half months after fisherman and motorcycle-for-hire driver Miraj Sheikh went missing in Bagerhat's Mongla, his family and rights groups allege that Coast Guard personnel forcibly took him away, alleging the incident was the first enforced disappearance since the July Uprising.

Why he was taken remains unknown to both his family and the rights groups.

The allegations were made today (24 August) at a National Press Club press conference by Miraj's family, Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST).

HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam said Miraj's last known location was in Coast Guard custody.

According to the family, two plainclothes Coast Guard members picked up Miraj from a local tea stall around 7pm on 10 April and took him to the Harbaria Coast Guard station, 100–150 yards away. Shortly afterwards, seven or eight uniformed members arrived by speedboat and took him away in front of his wife and villagers.

The family said the Coast Guard left Miraj's motorcycle with tea-stall owner Al-Amin and collected it 11 days later. Two members, including Mizan Majhi and another identified as Robin, who wore a mask, allegedly came for it. The family filed a general diary with Mongla police on 23 April.

Miraj's sister Liza Islam said a Coast Guard member acknowledged during several conversations between 10 and 12 April that Miraj was in custody and assured them he would be released after two or three days of questioning or face a case.

On 11 April, Miraj's wife Mukta Khatun went to the Digraj Coast Guard base, where a member told her Miraj would be taken on an operation and she could meet him at 4pm. Another member inside was allegedly heard saying Miraj had not eaten since the previous day and should be given food before being taken on the operation.

But when Mukta returned at 4pm, another Coast Guard member, Shahin, denied that Miraj was being detained.

The family later protested outside Harbaria Coast Guard station, where Miraj was allegedly first taken. The Coast Guard subsequently sued 44 named and 250-300 unnamed people, accusing them of obstructing government duty and rioting. Mukta, Liza and Miraj's mother Taslima Begum were among those accused, while police arrested six people.

Mukta said the family was baton-charged and spent 27 days in jail before securing bail.

Miraj's mother alleged Coast Guard members assaulted her and her daughter-in-law, while villagers were beaten, sued and had their homes damaged. "Everyone saw the Coast Guard take my son away, and there is video evidence. But now no one is speaking because they are afraid," she said.

HRSS chief adviser Nur Khan Liton called for an independent investigation, saying it was difficult for police to investigate allegations against another force.

BLAST Legal Director Advocate Md Borkot Ali said Miraj's case was the first alleged enforced disappearance formally reported since 2024. He urged the state to return Miraj safely, saying any allegations against him should be dealt with under existing law.