Law enforcement agencies are yet to unearth the whereabouts of abducted Abu Bakar Siddique amid strong demand from various quarters for his immediate and safe rescue.
Mr Siddique, husband of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) chief executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan, was kidnapped by unknown assailants Wednesday afternoon from a filling station at Fatulla in Narayanganj.
Police headquarters have formed a five-member committee to trace out the victim. DMP additional commissioner Sheikh Maruf Hasan is leading it.
When contacted, Narayanganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Syed Nurul Islam said they have found some signs which indicate that the abductors drove towards the capital.
Citing video footage of a close circuit camera (CCTV) at the toll plaza of Gulistan-Jatrabari Flyover of the city, he said the blue microbus carrying Mr Siddique crossed the flyover at about 2:53pm. The vehicle was carrying the registration no - Chittagong Metro - Ga-17-8327.
"We communicated with Chittagong office of BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transportation Authority), which informed us that the registration number is fake," the police official added.
Seeking anonymity, a senior official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said they have launched a combined drive with the members of all the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to trace Mr Siddique out.
"We're giving utmost priority to the issue. We need more time to unveil the mystery behind the abduction, and everybody should show their patience," he added.
Rizwana Hasan went to the headquarters of Detective Branch (DB) of police in the afternoon to know about the developments of the drive.
After meeting with the plainclothes police officials, she expressed her firm optimism about getting her husband back from the captivity, as the law enforcers took the matter with due importance.
"I'm still an optimistic person, and I did not get any sign for which I should give up all hopes. The law enforcement agencies sought more time regarding the issue. "
When asked, the environment lawyer said she received some phone calls, which need to be investigated.
Without naming anyone or any firm, she alleged that the businessmen who suffered financially because of her and her association's activities might have abducted her husband.
"Their (the businessmen) activities should be brought under investigation, and as far as I know my husband has no enemy," she further said.
Meanwhile, the kidnapping sparked deep concern and tension among the civil society members and the country's eminent personalities, who sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister in the rescue process.
A total of 45 eminent citizens at a press conference in the capital demanded immediate and safe rescue of Abu Bakar Siddique.
"We hope the law enforcing agencies will regain the trust of people and the government by rescuing him immediately. We seek the honorable Prime Minister's intervention in this regard," said TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
Voicing deep concern over the security of Mr Siddique, he said there has been no visible progress in tracing him despite assurance from the top level of the government.
TIB chairperson Sultana Kamal said some people abducted a person in broad daylight, and the state cannot avoid the responsibility.
"It's the moral responsibility of the government to rescue him immediately for the sake of public security. Otherwise, the democratic ruling system, pledged by the government, will become questionable," she also said.
Information Commissioner Prof Sadeka Halim and columnist Syed Abul Maksud, among others, spoke at the press conference.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) also expressed its grave concern over the abduction of Abu Bakar Siddique, also the executive director of Hamid Fashions Limited.
The incident has caused insecurity among the manufacturers, said the apex apparel body in a statement Thursday.
Demanding immediate rescue of Mr Siddique BGMEA requested the government to ensure exemplary punishment to the people involved with the kidnapping.