RAB dismisses 'call from Ilias'

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, May 10 The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has dismissed as 'baseless' a Jubo Dal leader's claim about a call coming from the cell phone of missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali. 

"The news is baseless. We looked into the claim, but found that Ilias Ali's cell phone has been switched off ever since he went missing," said RAB Director (Intelligence) Ziaul Ahsan.

On Thursday afternoon, Abdul Latif, Joint Convener of the BNP's youth front in Ilias' constituency, claimed to have received a call from Ilias' phone number at 4:48pm.

Latif, however, said he could not receive the call as it came when he was talking over his phone. The call was registered as a 'missed call' on Latif's phone.

He called back to the number immediately only to find the phone switched off. Latif claimed the call came from the Ilias' mobile-phone number (01732293744).

Bishwanath upazila Chhatra Dal joint convener Shamsuddin told  that he found the number active at around 5:25pm on Thursday. None, however, received the call before switching it off, he added.

The word prompted RAB to launch an immediate investigation into the matter.

Earlier, the elite force had confirmed that Ilias had used his cell phone last time from the city's Eskaton area before he had gone missing.

Bloody violence erupted at Bishwanath during the countrywide shutdown enforced protesting the disappearance of Ilias. Latif and Shamsuddin stand accused in the case filed by police in connection with the violence. None of them are staying at their addresses currently.

"Both of them are absconding. They might have some other motive behind spreading the news of call coming from Ilias' switched-off cell phone," said the RAB's Intelligence Director Ziaul.

One of the BNP's organising secretaries, Ilias Ali and his driver Ansar Ali have been missing since the wee hours of Apr 18. Police found his private car abandoned at Mohakhali.

Police became certain about the vehicle belonging to Ilias Ali on finding Ansar Ali's cell phone inside the abandoned private car.

Police have failed to trace the BNP leader despite conducting numerous drives in and outside the capital.

The BNP has been alleging that Ilias was picked up by RAB personnel, an allegation refuted by the government who says the law-enforcing agencies are trying their best to trace him.