SIRAJGANJ — A young man from Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj has been missing since a trawler accident at sea during an attempt to reach Italy by an illegal route, his family said.
To send his son to Italy, the father mortgaged land and borrowed from various non-governmental organizations to raise a total of 25 lakh taka, about $20,500.
The missing man, Rakibul Islam Swadhin, 22, is the son of Firoz Ahmed of Bhutgacha village in Ullapara upazila. He left home late in March of this year carrying the dream of reaching Italy by an illegal route. The family does not know whether he is dead or alive.
Ullapara Model police have detained one man for questioning on a human-trafficking allegation in connection with the case, authorities said.
The man, identified as Abul Kalam, was taken into police custody Saturday afternoon, Dec. 20. Police said he had arranged for Rakibul Islam to travel abroad.
Mohammad Nure Alam, the officer in charge of Ullapara Model police station, said: “A man named Abul Kalam has been brought to the station for questioning. He is initially known to be involved in sending people abroad. He sent Rakibul Islam Swadhin, who is currently missing. His father came and informed us of the matter.”
Family members and local residents said Swadhin set out for Italy this year along with more than 100 other people in a trawler, in hopes of changing his fortunes. An accident on the way left many in the sea. Swadhin has been missing ever since, and there has been no word of him.
Firoz Ahmed, the missing man’s father, said Abul Kalam’s son Saddam lives in Italy and that contact with Abul Kalam was established through him. To send his son abroad, the family raised 25 lakh taka by mortgaging land and borrowing from various non-governmental organizations.
He said Abul Kalam first took Swadhin to Chennai in India in late March, then on to Dubai, Egypt, Sri Lanka and finally Libya. Fazlul Haque, another man who traveled with Swadhin, recently returned home. He told the family that their trawler sank shortly after they set out and that Swadhin never returned.
Nargis Khatun, the missing man’s mother, has appealed to the administration for help finding her son and demanded strict punishment for the accused trafficker.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report