Shafiqul Islam Kajol -- the editor of the daily Pokkhokal -- went missing on March 10. He left home and went to his office in Hatirpool. He was last seen leaving his office on his motorbike, which falls under New Market Police Station, around 7:00pm, police said.
Kajol's disappearance came a day after Saifuzzaman Shikhor -- a ruling party lawmaker from Magura-1 -- filed a case against him, Editor-in-chief of daily Manabzamin Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, and 30 others on charges of publishing a report with "false information" and circulating it on social media.
Kajol's family suspects that he was abducted, and has been repeatedly urging authorities to help ensure his safe return. His son, 20-year-old Monorom Polok, wrote a heartfelt letter to his father in the hopes that he will see it, wherever he is.
The letter
30/03/2020
Dear Baba,
I don't know where you are. I imagine you are not well. I imagine you are alone. I know you've lost your mental stability by now, just like you did after bringing Maa back from India after her surgery. I don't think they'll consider your mental condition. Will this letter reach you? Will they let you read it? Are you in pain? Will they let you come back? When? If this reaches you, I want to tell you:
Your family is still strong. We have hope. This hope will never fade. We await your return eagerly. Poushi is only optimistic. She still hasn't imagined anything negative once. She has a lot to tell you. She is sleeping with Maa now. Maa asks me, "Will you really be able to get your father back? When is Kajol coming back? How long do we have to wait?" I never answer these questions because I don't know the answer.
I am trying to get you back. People are saying I am doing a lot as a son. I don't think so. Until I get you back, I cannot even imagine that I am doing enough. Some of them are saying they wish they could have a son like me. If anyone's parents are taken away from them, he/she will definitely go out to find their parents. But I know my Maa and Baba. I don't know if my parents are the greatest in the world, but I know they are the greatest parents I could ever have. I've always known you and Maa deserved a better son. Sometimes I think, is there any use of a son like me if he is unable to get his father back? It has been almost 20 days since my father was taken away from us and I cannot do anything about it.
I know if this had happened to me, you would have gotten me back by now. You never would have come home without me. You would have made life tough for people who might be involved in this. I am not capable, like you. Our family is always dependent on you. In emergencies, in sickness, in times of financial crisis, we depend on you. Now when you are gone, and I am the one in the driver's seat, looking for our protector.
I am the last person who goes to sleep at night. When I am awake alone at night, I always hope you are going to knock on the door. I know they've hurt you. With some miracle maybe you'll still be able to stand on your feet and come back. I get very anxious when I hear footsteps in the night or when I hear someone talking. I think if it is you, who is going to knock on my door right now.
The situation in the country is like never before. The streets are empty. Everyone stays at home. I have to stay at home. Shameful, I know. You wouldn't have stayed home. No one agrees to see me now. There is no place that I can go to. This is the helpless situation I am in. Before the country went into lockdown, every day I would get out in the early morning. I wouldn't come home till 1 or 2 am in the night. I cannot get out alone. I've been told by many, I am being watched. By whom, for what reason, I don't know. I am staying safe so that they can never use us to scare you.
I hope you are trying your best to get out. I am trying my best from this worst situation. I will never stop. I cannot stop. Not before getting you back safe and sound.
I am waiting for you. I hope you come back soon. I hope you come back before this letter goes out. I hope you come back before I finish writing this letter. I hope you knock on the door before I finish with -
Your son,
Polok
