Balurghat, Sept. 29 -- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a search operation early Tuesday morning at the residence of a local farmer in Kushkari Mundehar village, under Banshihari Police Station, South Dinajpur, over alleged links to a militant organisation.
Accompanied by a team from the local Banshihari police station, a four-member NIA delegation raided the house of Mizanur Rahman to investigate his 26-year-old son, Mujibur Rahman, who is suspected of having ties with the banned outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB).
Sources indicate that the raid stems from an ongoing investigation into a terror network case originating in Assam.
Mujibur, who previously lived outside the region for studies, has been missing since early January.
According to family members, local police had previously searched the premises on January 2 and confiscated his mobile phone. He fled the house shortly after the incident and has remained untraceable ever since.
Local residents and family members expressed utter shock over the allegations. Mizanur Rahman maintained that his son was an aspirant preparing for the UPSC examinations from home and never raised any suspicion.
"In January, the police searched our entire house looking for militant literature. My son fled that day and has had no contact with us since. He always told us he was focused solely on his studies. I do not know if he is involved with any terror group. The officials found no incriminating documents today, though they had me sign a few papers," said Mizanur.
Neighbours echoed similar sentiments regarding the young man. "We heard the NIA team arrived alongside local police. Mujibur used to study for the UPSC exams. Whether he is involved with a militant outfit or not, we cannot say. Let a thorough investigation be conducted," stated Mujaffar Hossain, a neighbour.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.