Minister of state for home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal says incidents of someone gone missing after picked up by men in uniform should be described as 'abductions' rather than 'enforced disappearances', reports bdnews24.com.
He claims the number of such incidents was actually not as much as has been reported.
"I am not saying that such incidents of abduction are not happening. But the number is not as high as has been claimed," he told reporters at his office on Sunday.
Many relatives of the victims of such incidents gathered in the city from across the country on Saturday to attend a national convention organised by the Fundamental Rights Preservation Committee on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
They shared their experiences with the audience at the National Press Club premises.
The BNP and other political parties blame the government for these disappearances, although the government has steadfastly denied it.
According to the BNP, more than 65 of its leaders and activists across the country have gone missing during the regime of the Awami League-led government.
Referring to such claims on Sunday, Kamal said: "I am aware of some incidents where the so called victims went to hiding themselves and made up a story of having gone missing. It was clear later when those people were found."
He also brushed aside allegations of RAB personnel being involved in such incidents.
"This is a wrong assumption. Allegation of RAB being involved comes up whenever any such incident occurs."
Disappearances not as much as claimed, says minister
FE Team | Published: September 01, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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