A BNP-Jamaat alliance leader, who went into hiding in Sweden, is behind the recent abductions and enforced disappearances, alleged Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday.
“His name is Nahid. He leads several killing groups from Sweden. He is carrying out and plotting such abductions,” he said. The road transport and bridges minister was inaugurating a photo exhibition organised by AL Publicity and Publications Sub-Committee at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.
The alliance carried out the abductions to tarnish the image of the government at home and abroad, he said.
Different media reported that the leader [Nahid] is behind serial killings and the abductions, he said.
The minister also said many people, including several AL leaders, became victims of abduction that also spread panic among people.
The two-day exhibition is featuring the arson attacks by the BNP-led 20-party alliance centring on the 10th general election held on January 5, 2014.
Speaking as the chief guest, Quader said Nahid also carried out several arson attacks at different parts of the country as per the direction of the BNP chairperson.
Quader said innocent people fell victim to such attacks launched by the BNP-Jamaat alliance before and after the national polls across the country.
The attackers will be defeated in the upcoming national election, he said.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 60 people -- including former Bangladesh ambassador to Vietnam Maroof Zaman, North South University teacher Mubashar Hasan and journalist Utpal Das -- fell victim to abduction or enforced disappearance last year.Bodies of two such victims were recovered later, eight were claimed to have been arrested by law enforcers, seven returned home and the rest are still missing, it added.
