Missing preacher reappears after eight days

Young Islamic preacher Abu Taw Haa Muhammad Adnan reappeared yesterday, eight days after he went missing reportedly on his way to Dhaka.

His two associates, who according to his family, were accompanying him and the driver of a car in which "they were heading to the capital" on June 10 were also found yesterday.

Around 12:30pm yesterday, a neighbour found Adnan entering the house of the parents of his first wife Abida Noor in Rangpur city's Masterpara.

The news of his return spread to the locality and a local informed police of the matter. On information, police raided his in-law's house around 2:00pm and found Adnan there.

He was then taken to Kotwali Police Station, said Officer-in-charge of the station Abdur Rashed.

Adnan was later brought to the office of the deputy commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch.

After Adnan went missing, his second wife Sabekunnahar claimed that her husband last spoke to her over phone at 2:37am on June 11 and told her that he reached the capital's Gabtoli. Since then he could not be contacted.

Teacher of a Mirpur madrasa, Sabekunnahar held a press conference and even submitted a letter to the Prime Minister's Office demanding safe return of Adnan. She also visited the offices of different law enforcement agencies, suspecting that her husband was picked up.

However, after interrogation, Rangpur police said Adnan went into hiding voluntarily due to some family and personal problems.

After he went missing, Azeda Begum, the mother of Taw Haa, 31, whose real name is Md Afsanul Adnan, lodged a general diary with Rangpur Kotwali Police Station on June 11.

Adnan and his first wife Abida have a three-year-old daughter and a one-and-a half-year old son. His first wife lives in Rangpur and the second one in Dhaka.

Earlier in the day, police detained Adnan's associates Abul Muhit from his home at Jaigirhat of Rangpur's Mithapukur, Firoz from Bogura's Shibganj and driver Amir Uddin from Rangpur city's Ashratpur (Chawkbazar) area.

Police were interrogating them.

BRIEFING BY POLICE

After interrogation, Abu Maruf Hossain, DC (crime) of Rangpur Metropolitan Police, told journalists that Adnan along with the associates and the driver left Dhaka's Gabtoli for Rangpur on the night of June 10. After reaching Trimohoni in Gaibandha, they went to the house of Adnan's friend Siam and stayed there, he said.

While there, everyone switched off their mobile phones and kept those withAdnan, the DC said.

The police official said they went into hiding willingly due to various family and personal problems.

He added that they first went to Dhaka from Rangpur on June 10 afternoon. Adnan told his travelling companions that he had some personal problems. He then consulted with them and decided to go into hiding, the DC added.

DC Maruf said police would also look into whether they went into hiding as part of a conspiracy to embarrass the state or the government.

He added that Adnan shared some of his problems with police, which are being scrutinised. 

In another development, Adnan and his two associates -- Muhit and Firoz -- were produced before a Rangpur court last night and the court freed them.

A top police official said he did not want to talk about Adnan's personal affairs. He also said the next step would be taken after investigation.

Despite repeated attempts to reach Sabekunnahar's two brothers and Adnan's mother for comments over the police version, none could be reached as their mobile phones were found switched off.

[Our Dinajpur correspondent contributed to this report.]