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Published : 17 Apr 2014, 05:50 PM
Committee to aid Siddique search
Minister hopeful of rescuing Siddique
“As far as I know my husband of 20 years has no personal, social or professional enemies,” a distraught Hasan told reporters at Mohakhali’s BRAC Centre at noon on Thursday.
“He was innocent. He did nothing but support me,” said Hasan, a winner of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2012, who is vocal against environmental damages.
She has been fighting several legal battles to preserve the environment in Bangladesh.
Her husband was taken away by armed assailants from Narayanganj’s Bhuigarh in broad daylight on Wednesday.
Executive director of ‘Hamid Fashions Ltd’, he was returning from the factory in Fatulla. State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu is the owner of the unit.
Hasan said no one had called her asking for ransom 24 hours on.
About the efforts to find him, she said the police had no ‘significant leads’ but they did not tell her anything for which she should give up all hope.
“They are dedicated in their efforts,” she said.
State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal claimed the blue van used to abduct Siddique was identified in the CCTV footage from the toll plaza at Jatrabahri Flyover.
“I have not received any threats through phone calls. But many people I don’t know have called to provide information. I will not tell you that for the sake of the investigation but I have told the authorities.”
Civil society leaders Syed Abul Maksud, Sultana Kamal, Iftekharuzzaman, Hamida Hossain, Sadeka Halim were next to Rizwana Hasan at the press brief held under the banner of ‘Concerned Citizens’.
Tears flowed as Hasan thanked reporters for not leaving her side during the ordeal.
“I have contacted people at various levels of the government and law-enforcing agencies,” said Hasan.
She said the assurance she got from the highest level of power had given her the hope of getting her husband back.
In answer to a question about alleged rivalries between Siddique and his employer Hamid, she said, “My husband is like a younger brother to him. What was said about a rivalry between them is completely baseless.”
She said the state minister put her husband in full charge of his garment factory.
“The private companies and projects that suffered financially because of me were the real threats. I urge that they be investigated too.”
Hasan named a few in her immediate reaction to her husband’s abduction on Wednesday.
“There is nothing hopeful about this situation. But I still want to keep hope. I have the apparent support of our law enforcers,” said Hasan.
Ain-O-Salish Kendra Executive Director Sultana Kamal said Siddique’s abduction sheds doubt on the government’s claim that it was democratic and represented the people.
“We are very concerned. An act like this, in broad daylight, is not acceptable. We want Rizwana’s husband back. Otherwise, the government will be held liable.”
