Children of those who ‘disappeared’ share heart-rending stories, moving Tarique to tears

Families of those still missing spoke of their continued search for loved ones

Children’s cries for missing fathers have echoed through the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, leaving BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visibly shaken.

At a gathering under the "Amra BNP Poribar" (we are the BNP family) and "Mayer Daak" (mother's call) on Saturday, children recounted years of longing and uncertainty for fathers who vanished during the Awami League government, their grief and unanswered questions moving Tarique to tears.

Families shared their relentless search for loved ones and demanded justice for those lost to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Among those present was Adiba Islam Hridi, daughter of Parvez Hossain, a leader of Banshal Thana Chhatra Dal who went missing on Dec 2, 2013.

She tearfully described her unfulfilled dream of holding her father’s hand on the way to school, saying: “Years pass, new years come, but our father has not returned. Will I ever see him again? How many more years must we wait?”

The atmosphere in the hall grew charged with grief and solidarity as attendees shared in the children’s pain.

Another child, Safa, known by a single name, spoke of her father Md Sohel, also a Banshal Chhatra Dal leader who disappeared when she was only two months old.

“I have been searching for my father for a decade. I have been everywhere, but I have found no trace,” she said, breaking down in tears.

The gathering highlighted the plight of families who lost fathers, sons, husbands, and brothers to what they allege were targeted killings and enforced disappearances.

Organisers and attendees alike were visibly moved, sharing in the grief and calling for justice for the missing.