The family has accused the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of apprehending Electrician Rahmatullah (20), the younger son of the late Abdur Rob from Bara Nalgram, Gangutia Union, Dhamrai Upazila, Dhaka District. They allege that on August 29, 2023, around midnight, individuals dressed in RAB attire and white garments forcibly took Rahmatullah.
As per the family's account, Momtaz Begum, Rahmatullah's mother, held a press conference at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unit at 10:30 am on Monday, February 12. She expressed her distress over the inability to locate Rahmatullah despite searching various RAB offices, DB offices, police stations, and hospitals over the past five months. Tearfully, she pleaded, "Return my son, Rahmatullah, to me. With whom shall I live? Rahmatullah is my precious blessing. He had been suffering from a high fever for eight days before his disappearance. He couldn't eat anything. He was sleeping beside me, and he was taken away from my side, yet he had not returned. Honourable Prime Minister, please tell me where I can turn and whom I can implore to bring my child back."
Overwhelmed with emotion, she fell silent while weeping inconsolably.
The coordinator of Mayer Dak, Sanjida Islam Tuli, chaired the event, while Razia Akhtar, the elder sister of Md. Rahmatullah delivered the prepared speech anchored by Manjur Hossain Isa.
She said, "My father passed away on April 18, 2013. I am the eldest daughter in the family, and my younger brother, Obaidur, is currently in Saudi Arabia. His wife, Sathi Akhtar, my mother, Mumtaz Begum, and our youngest brother, Rahmatullah, reside in the same house. On the night of August 29, law enforcement officers knocked on our main gate. When my mother opened the door and gate, they entered the house and forcefully took my brother, Rahmatullah, away. When questioned about the reason for taking him, they stated it was for questioning purposes. When my mother went to Manikganj and Dhamrai the next day, the police provided no information. Subsequently, on October 7, 2023, the Dhamrai police station filed a general diary. Despite six months passing since his disappearance, my brother has not been found. My mother's health has deteriorated significantly. My brother is not affiliated with any political party, nor does he have any cases against him. If he had committed any wrongdoing, he could have been arrested and prosecuted according to the country's laws. We would have been informed of his alleged crime. However, at present, we are left completely unaware."
She stated, "Many individuals, much like my brother, have disappeared throughout the country. Mayer Dak has stood beside them, just as it has stood beside my brother. I urge for everyone's return."
Alongside Rahmatullah's family was his aunt, Saira Khatun, and other members of families affected by similar incidents, including Jhumur Akhtar, Baby Akhtar, Minu Akhtar, Eamon Omar, Happy Akhtar Sumni, and Lamiya Akhtar Mim were present.
During the chair's address, Sanjida Islam Tuli emphasized, "We refuse to accept the disappearance of anyone. For the past 11 years, I have heard the cries of my mother, Hajera Khatun. Today, I heard the anguish of another mother, Mumtaz Begum. Another face joins the procession of sorrow. We do not wish for any more faces to be added. We demand the immediate return of all missing individuals, including Rahmatullah, to their mothers' embrace."