Bangladesh’s Interim Government Head, Dr. Yunus, Describes Torture Cells Under Sheikh Hasina’s Regime as “Horrifying

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has condemned the torture cells established during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s tenure, calling them “horrifying.” After visiting the “Aina Ghar” torture cells (secret prisons) in a village near Dhaka with representatives from the Human Rights Commission, Dr. Yunus shared his shocking observations with the media.

Describing the scene as “horrifying,” he stated, “What happened there was terrible. What I have heard is unbelievable. Is this the world and society we live in?” Dr. Yunus emphasized that these cells, which were used as “torture chambers and secret jails,” served as a prime example of the dark period under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, which he referred to as the “age of ignorance.”

Dr. Yunus mentioned hearing from survivors who had been victims of brutal treatment. Many of these individuals were picked up from the streets, packed into vehicles filled with explosives, and branded as militants and terrorists. He further revealed that there are many more such cells across the country.

Shafiq Alam, Dr. Yunus’ press secretary, explained that thousands of individuals had been imprisoned for up to eight years in these secret torture cells under Sheikh Hasina’s security forces. It was alleged that Hasina herself had authorized the forces to carry out disappearances and unlawful killings.

Dr. Yunus and the human rights representatives visited several locations, including Agargaon, Kochukhet, and Uttara in Dhaka, to inspect these clandestine torture cells. During the visit, they were shown an “electric chair,” which had been used in one of the torture cells in Agargaon.

The revelations have sparked widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns regarding human rights violations under Sheikh Hasina’s government.