Dhaka, Feb 12 (V7N)Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, announced that both the Commission on Disappearances and the International Crimes Tribunal are actively investigating whether evidence from the notorious mirror houses—secret detention and torture cells—has been destroyed. His statement followed a series of inspections at these detention centers by the Chief Advisor earlier today.

During a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon, Shafiqul Alam disclosed that new plaster was observed in several sections of the mirror houses visited, suggesting possible attempts to cover up or erase evidence.

Earlier in the day, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus toured multiple alleged secret detention centers operated by joint forces in Agargaon, Kachukhet, and Uttara areas of the capital. The visit was conducted alongside local and international journalists, victims of enforced disappearances, and several government advisors.

It has been widely alleged that after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, efforts were made to destroy evidence linked to human rights abuses in these secret facilities, known as Aynaghor (mirror houses). The Press Secretary's revelations appear to corroborate these claims.

Shafiqul Alam stated that there could be more than 700 to 800 mirror cells scattered across Bangladesh and assured that the interim government is committed to uncovering all of them. He described the progress made in addressing cases of disappearances and extrajudicial killings over the past six months as a significant achievement of the current administration.

Regarding accountability, Shafiqul Alam confirmed that action will be taken against special forces personnel facing arrest warrants based on the Disappearance Commission's report but who have yet to be detained.

At the same press briefing, Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder announced that the Chief Advisor will be departing for the United Arab Emirates later today for a two-day official visit. Dr. Yunus is expected to return to Bangladesh by Friday.

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