Dhaka, Dec 19, (V7N) - The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the suspension of passports and imposed a travel ban on 20 army and police officers allegedly involved in cases of enforced disappearances. The decision was made following a request from the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

A notification signed by Md. Kamruzzaman, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was issued on Sunday. The directive calls on the Director General of the Immigration and Passports Department and the Additional Inspector General of the Special Branch (SB) of the Police to take necessary actions to enforce the ban.

The notification states that, based on investigations into incidents of enforced disappearances, 20 more government officials have been identified as being involved in such cases. The individuals, named by the commission for further investigation, are now prohibited from leaving the country to ensure the integrity of the ongoing inquiry.

The officers affected by this directive include:

Former Director General of RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) Mokhlesur Rahman

Choudhury Abdullah Al Mamun and Benjir Ahmed, former high-ranking RAB officials

Former ADG of RAB, currently arrested, Ziaul Ahsan, and Colonel Tofail Mostafa Sarwar

Lt. Colonel Mefta Uddin Ahmed, former CO of RAB-7

Additional DIG Khondkar Lutful Kabir (former RAB CO-4) and Shahabuddin Khan (former RAB CO-10)

Lt. Colonel Mahabub Alam, former RAB Director

Lt. Colonel Kamrul Hasan, former CO of RAB-11

Lt. Colonel Sarwar Bin Kashem, former CO of RAB-1

Monirul Islam, former Chief of CTTC (Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit) – currently absconding

DIG Md. Asaduzzaman, former head of the DB (Detective Branch)

Harun Ar Rashid, former DB chief

Sheikh Mohammad Maruf Hasan, former Additional Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)

Mashiur Rahman, former DC of DB

Touhidul Islam, former ADC of CTTC

Brigadier General (Retd.) Abu Taher Mohammad Ibrahim, former Director of DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence)

Major General (Retd.) Mohammad Touhidul Islam

Brigadier General Mahabubur Rahman Siddique, former high-ranking officer.

These officers have been accused of engaging in actions related to enforced disappearances, and the suspension of their passports aims to restrict their ability to flee the country during the investigation process. The Ministry of Home Affairs has called for swift action to ensure these individuals remain within the country and face legal consequences for their alleged involvement in the crimes.

The move highlights the government’s intention to address human rights violations and enforce accountability for those responsible for state-sponsored disappearances. The commission's investigation continues as it seeks to bring justice to the victims and their families.

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