The popular narrative behind the disappearance of Zahir Raihan (novelist, writer and filmmaker), who went missing on 30 January 1972, is that โhe was killed with many others when armed Bihari collaborators and soldiers of the Pakistan Army who were hiding fired on them when he
went to Mirpur to locate his brother, Shahidullah Kaiserโ.
Different Narratives:
1. About a year after Zahir Raihan's disappearance [on 22nd January 1973], journalist Aham Chowdhury wrote in a report titled "How long will Zahir Raihan's murder mystery remain under wraps"
Different Narratives:
1. About a year after Zahir Raihan's disappearance [on 22nd January 1973], journalist Aham Chowdhury wrote in a report titled "How long will Zahir Raihan's murder mystery remain under wraps"
- Zahir Raihan did not go inside Mirpur Colony. He was disappeared from the camp. It is not known who took him. The government has not shown any sincerity in finding the missing Zahir Raihan but is trying to cover up the mystery of Zahir Raihan's disappearance. But how long will
this cover-up last?"
2. On May 1, 1992, an interview with the world famous filmmaker Satyajit Ray was published in the weekly Bichitra. The interview was conducted by Shahriar Kabir. At one point of the interview, Satyajit Roy suddenly asked Shahriar Kabir,
- Do you know
2. On May 1, 1992, an interview with the world famous filmmaker Satyajit Ray was published in the weekly Bichitra. The interview was conducted by Shahriar Kabir. At one point of the interview, Satyajit Roy suddenly asked Shahriar Kabir,
- Do you know
anything about Zahir?
- It is believed that there is a conspiracy behind his removal. From what we have personally investigated, he may not have died in the accident on January 30. Still, many believe that he was kept alive for a long time.
-Strange! What is the reason behind
- It is believed that there is a conspiracy behind his removal. From what we have personally investigated, he may not have died in the accident on January 30. Still, many believe that he was kept alive for a long time.
-Strange! What is the reason behind
keeping Zahir alive?
- I think that is the main source of the conspiracy. If he had died in an accident at Mirpur, there was no reason to suspect a deeper conspiracy. As far as I know, while investigating the killings of intellectuals, he gathered information that was dangerous
- I think that is the main source of the conspiracy. If he had died in an accident at Mirpur, there was no reason to suspect a deeper conspiracy. As far as I know, while investigating the killings of intellectuals, he gathered information that was dangerous
to many influential people, and that required his removal.''
In another book Shahriar Kabir said about the disappearance of Zahir Raihan โ โOn hearing the news of the death of Shahidullah Kaiser on 16th December 71, Zahir Raihan was completely devastated.
He said in the press
In another book Shahriar Kabir said about the disappearance of Zahir Raihan โ โOn hearing the news of the death of Shahidullah Kaiser on 16th December 71, Zahir Raihan was completely devastated.
He said in the press
conference that he will publish the white paper. He also blamed the Awami leadership for the killing of intellectuals. He also announced that he will leak all the secret information of the Mujibnagar government.
... It is only natural that those to whom his presence is
... It is only natural that those to whom his presence is
uncomfortable will take advantage of this situation. Went to Mirpur on 30th January 72 to look for his elder (Shahidullah Qaiser). An investigation might have revealed the source of the unknown telephone call, where he was told that Shahidullah Qaiser was in Mirpur.
... It is
... It is
also surprising that there was no investigation into his (Zahir Raihan's) disappearance. It is not difficult to guess why it did not happen."
- Shahriar Kabir
Ekushe February / Zahir Raihan (Bhumika : Shahriar Kabir) เฅฅ [Pallab Publishers - August, 1992. pp: 13-16]
3. "There was
- Shahriar Kabir
Ekushe February / Zahir Raihan (Bhumika : Shahriar Kabir) เฅฅ [Pallab Publishers - August, 1992. pp: 13-16]
3. "There was
a lot of writing in newspapers and magazines about the disappearance of Zahir Raihan. One day Sheikh Mujib called Zahir's elder sister Nafisa Kabir and said, "If you create noise like this about Zahir's disappearance, you will also disappear". Nafisa did not say anything after
that. Rafiq, the one who made the phone call, was sent to America along with his entire family with citizenship when the papers started writing about Rafiq. This incident makes Rafiq's role in Zahir's disappearance even more suspicious to me.โ
-Sumita Devi (First wife of Zahir
-Sumita Devi (First wife of Zahir
Raihan)
(Source: Daily Ajker Paper 8 December 1993)
โZahir Raihan is not missing, he ran away from homeโ โ Sheikh Mujib (Daily Ittefaq)
(Source: Daily Ajker Paper 8 December 1993)
โZahir Raihan is not missing, he ran away from homeโ โ Sheikh Mujib (Daily Ittefaq)
Loading suggestions...