The strange disappearance

Surprisingly, the news did not originate from Dhaka, although it happened in Bangladesh capital; but people learnt of the incident through the US television network CNN and BBC. The only other information we had on the entire episode is through a press conference held by Ehsan's father.

After keeping an eerie silence for quite a few days into the incident, a rather casual explanation has emanated from the State Minister for Home in the form of an answer to a journalist's question. This sounds as too little too late by way of an authentic clarification.

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This has been dubbed as part of a routine affair whereby every year some five or six persons are sent back to USA. The movement and behaviour of the person concerned purportedly raising 'suspicion' he was detained and sent away.

It is indeed shocking that while the US sources have been forthcoming with information, quite a few days after the incident, none of the relevant Bangladeshi agencies from either Home Ministry or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed nor denied anything the incident, far less explain fully how could such a thing happen with the kind of promptitude that was expected.

Little wonder, a legal expert in New York expressed surprise as to how Sadequee could be whisked away since USA has no extradition treaty with Bangladesh. There is the question of rules and individual rights of anyone, even of a foreigner, let alone Ehsan being of Bangladesh origin. Didn't the government have any responsibility towards him, apart from interstate and international legalistic implications.

Let's make it abundantly clear, however, that we are all for global co-operation for fighting terrorism, but then it should not involve springing such surprises which appeared to impinge on the sovereignty of Bangladesh.

A fuller statement of the government on the issue would be in the fitness of things.