Md. Shawkat Alam Faisal

Allegations of Indian participation in enforced disappearances in Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister have surfaced as a serious and concerning problem. These allegations have gained traction as a result of an investigation by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance, which was established by Bangladesh's interim government to look into systematic and widespread violations of human rights during Hasina's 15-year tenure. The commission's conclusions shed light on a difficult period in Bangladesh's recent history, accusing foreign powers, mainly India, of orchestrating or supporting these disappearances, raising concerns about sovereignty, ethics, and abuse of state power.

The Commission of Inquiry reported receiving 1,676 complaints about enforced disappearances and investigating 758 incidents. According to these studies, at than 3,500 people may have been forcibly disappeared throughout this period. These figures reflect the gravity of the situation, in which families were left in despair, frequently without closure or answers about the whereabouts of their loved ones. While the role of Bangladeshi authorities in these disappearances has been hotly contested, the commission discovered overwhelming evidence of external participation. The allegations that Indian authorities were involved in some of these disappearances suggest to a larger, more complex network of cross-border activities targeting Bangladeshis.

One of the commission's significant conclusions was a recurring insinuation among law enforcement and intelligence circles that some Bangladeshi citizens who were forcibly vanished may still be held in Indian jails. These findings point to a probable practice of detaining people across the border without following legal procedures, creating a grey area of accountability. The committee also released intelligence data indicating the presence of "captive exchanges" between India and Bangladesh, raising the prospect of coordinated cross-border activity targeting specific persons. If verified, such acts not only weaken Bangladesh's sovereignty, but also raise concerns about the extent to which neighboring countries can intervene in one other's domestic affairs under the pretext of collaboration or mutual security interests.

Adding to these alarming discoveries are accusations that around 400 policemen trained by India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) were stationed in Dhaka during politically charged times. These officers were reportedly stationed in Bangladesh at the request of the Hasina government to repress dissent and rallies. Their operational methods, apparently influenced by tactics used in places such as Kashmir, included harsh crackdowns on protestors and activists. Witnesses and intelligence sources believe that these R&AW-trained officers returned to India after completing their tasks, leaving a trail of repression and unresolved human rights crimes. These activities, which were purportedly carried out with precision and secrecy, pose serious ethical and legal problems concerning foreign operatives' cooperation in domestic political repression.

Evidence of foreign involvement in these events includes video evidence of military soldiers leaving Bangladesh from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on the same day Sheikh Hasina resigned. Witnesses claimed seeing people who did not speak Bengali but were apparently Hindi speakers, raising questions about their identities as Indian operations. Preliminary investigations by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal have lent credence to these allegations, implying that non-Bangladeshi officials may have been involved in stifling dissent and targeting opposition personalities.

The commission has recommended that Bangladesh's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs take immediate measures to discover whether any Bangladeshi citizens are in Indian detention. It further stressed that this issue necessitates diplomatic measures outside the commission's purview. While the interim administration has taken steps to address these discoveries, both domestic and foreign institutions bear the responsibility for unearthing the truth and securing justice for the victims. Cooperation between the two countries will be critical in responding to these charges and preventing further erosion of trust between them.

The repercussions of these discoveries are far-reaching, affecting not only Bangladesh but also India's reputation as a regional force. For Bangladesh, these disappearances mark a dark and terrible chapter that has left hundreds of families in limbo, filled with doubt, anguish, and unresolved questions. The claims have put tremendous pressure on the interim administration to remedy historical injustices and implement systems to prevent similar transgressions in the future. The commission's conclusions underline the critical need for institutional reform and increased accountability in Bangladesh's law enforcement and intelligence services.

For India, charges of cooperation in a neighboring country's enforced disappearances risk tarnishing its reputation as a proponent of democracy and human rights. If verified, the allegations of cross-border operations might harm India's regional status and raise questions about its foreign policy and intelligence actions. The claims also highlight broader concerns about regional powers' ability to influence their neighbors' domestic affairs, frequently at the expense of human rights and ethical principles.

The discoveries have damaged Bangladesh-India relations, fueling mistrust and suspicion. As the inquiry progresses, both nations must prioritize transparency, responsibility, and justice. For the relatives of the vanished, these charges provide a ray of hope that the truth would someday be revealed and those responsible for these atrocities held accountable.

The international community must also play a role in ensuring that these investigations are done fairly and that the results result in effective efforts to address the core causes of these human rights breaches.

At the heart of this issue is a deep desire for justice and responsibility. The enforced disappearances in Bangladesh are more than a political issue; they are a personal tragedy that has left hundreds of families seeking answers. As Bangladesh deals with the consequences of these infractions, it must also consider the larger ramifications of foreign meddling in its domestic affairs. This case serves as a sharp reminder of the significance of protecting human rights, securing responsibility, and encouraging international collaboration in order to avoid similar crimes from occurring again.

The writer is a, LLM Student at the University of Rajshahi and an Apprentice Lawyer at the Bangladesh Bar Council.