Moulvibazar’s Anam in prison without trial for 13 years

Anam Ahmed, a security guard at the building, was arrested in February 2013 as a suspect in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi.

After being arrested, he spent 13 and a half years in prison, but investigators have not yet found any evidence of his involvement in the murders. His family has therefore demanded his immediate release.

Nowsher Alam Roman, the brother of slain journalist Meherun Runi and the plaintiff in the case, also wants Anam to be granted bail and released, with arrangements made for his medical treatment.

Nowsher Roman said those involved in the Sagar-Runi murder case must be identified through a proper investigation and brought to justice based on concrete evidence. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that no innocent person is harassed.

He said, “We want Anam to be granted bail and released. Arrangements should be made for his proper medical treatment.”

Recently, the latest investigation agency in the case, the PBI Dhaka Metro North Division, submitted an investigation report stating that no evidence has so far been found against Anam Ahmed regarding his involvement in the Sagar-Runi murders.

In light of a court order, Anam was interrogated again on April 22 at Kashimpur Central Jail in Dhaka. During the interrogation, he could not give specific answers to the questions asked. His responses were incoherent, and the investigating officer observed that he appeared to be mentally unstable.

Citing prison authorities, the report states that Anam is currently suffering from mental instability due to prolonged confinement. He has been placed in a separate ward away from general prisoners and is receiving primary medical care. The report notes that he requires prompt and proper medical treatment.

Anam was arrested in February 2013 as a suspect in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi.

Prior to this, his family alleged that his father, Kala Mia, had also been abducted by individuals posing as RAB personnel. He was abandoned near Bhairab after about 21 days. According to the family, he had been subjected to inhuman torture during that time.

Kala Mia was never able to return to a normal life thereafter. He passed away about six or seven months ago after enduring physical and mental suffering.

Between the death of her husband and her son’s long imprisonment, Fatema Begum’s family has been reduced to near destitution.

Anam Ahmed is the son of the late Makbul Ali, also known as Kala Mia, from Purba-Dakshinbhag village in Dakshinbhag Dakshin Union, Barlekha Upazila, Moulvibazar. Anam’s mother, Fatema Begum, said her husband used to own a furniture shop at Dakshinbhag Bazar.

He went missing on his way to the shop, approximately on September 27, 2012.

Several individuals abducted him, claiming to be RAB personnel. After forcing him into a vehicle, they blindfolded him. Kala Mia later told his family that he was taken to an unknown location, where he was tortured and subjected to electric shocks.

Unable to find any trace of her husband that day, Fatema was distraught. She searched everywhere, including police stations, and also turned to relatives for help. The family spent whatever they could afford in their search for him, but no information could be found.

Fatema said news of her husband’s abduction was later published in various media outlets. After about 21 days, he was abandoned near Bhairab. The mobile phone and Tk800 in cash that he had with him when he was taken were returned.

As he was critically ill, locals helped him board a bus bound for Sylhet. After he communicated the news by mobile phone, his sons brought him home from the Kadamtali bus stand in Sylhet.

She claimed that her husband was threatened at the time and warned that if he spoke to anyone about his abduction and torture, he would be abducted again.

Kala Mia passed away on February 3 this year. Family members said they had to continue funding his medical treatment until his death.

According to Fatema, the burden of her husband’s medical care, household expenses and prolonged financial hardship made it impossible for them to ensure regular legal assistance for Anam.

Fatema Begum said, “If my son is guilty, he should be punished. If he is innocent, he should be released. We demanded justice back then. Yet, even after years of investigation, no evidence of any crime has been found against him. My son and our entire family have been ruined simply due to suspicion.

We want his release.”
Anam’s elder brother, Shahin Ahmad, has appealed to the relevant authorities for his immediate release if he is indeed innocent.

On the night of February 11, 2012, the bodies of journalists Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi were recovered from a flat at 58/A/2, West Rajabazar, in the capital.

Sagar worked for Maasranga Television, while Runi was a television news editor and senior reporter for ATN Bangla.

The submission of the investigation report in the case has been deferred 112 times so far.