Dhaka, February 12 – The former Awami League government institutionalized oppression in all sectors, with Ayinaghar being a prime example, stated Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus. He made these remarks on Wednesday while visiting Ayinaghar, the secret detention and torture center used by the previous government.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the Chief Advisor described the conditions as horrific. He expressed disbelief at the reality of such a facility, stating, ‘It is inhumane. What I have heard seemed unimaginable, but seeing it with my own eyes makes it real. Is this truly our society?’

He further emphasized that many individuals who suffered in these facilities accompanied him during the visit, sharing their harrowing experiences. ‘There is no justification for this level of cruelty,’ he added.

According to the Chief Advisor, such torture cells were widespread across Bangladesh. He remarked, ‘The previous government established a regime of darkness everywhere. This is just one example. What we witnessed today is a stark representation of the depths of decline our nation experienced.’

During the visit, the Chief Advisor was accompanied by Advisor on Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Professor Asif Nazrul, Advisor on Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, Advisor Mahfuz Alam, Information and Broadcasting Advisor Md. Nahid Islam, and Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Advisor Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan.

During the visit, Advisors Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan and Md. Nahid Islam were able to identify the exact rooms where they had been detained in the DGFI torture cells after being taken away in plainclothes during last July’s protests.