The InternationalCovenant on Civil and Political Rights: A Study on Bangladesh Compliance the disappeared or persons killed alleged that the law enforcing agencies, particularly the elite force RAB is involved with such activities.78 The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission told the media with frustration that “the strategy of extrajudicial killing has now been changed. Previously there was crossfire, now citizens are picked up and then no trace of those is found. In many cases, their families cannot even find the dead bodies at all.”79 Disappearance: Disappearances and kidnappings, allegedly by the security services and law enforcement agencies, are increasing significantly in the country, though precise figures are unavailable.80 The disappearance of senior BNP leader Elias Ali this year has been one of the most-discussed issues in national and international media regarding Bangladesh in 2012. Elias is not the first to fall victim. According to Prothom Alo, on February 28, 2010 RAB officials picked up Mohammad Selim, a fruit vendor in Gazipur; still, his whereabouts are unknown. According to Odhikar, on March 19, 2010 RAB officials detained Mohammad Akbar Ali Shorder in Thakurgaon. He has not been seen or heard from since, and the RAB denied detaining him. His wife filed a kidnapping case, but there was no progress so far. On June 81 Ibid 65

Select target paragraph3