Aynaghar, also known as the “House of Mirrors”, is a notorious secret detention centre located within the Dhaka Cantonment in Bangladesh. Operated by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency, Aynaghar has become infamous for its role in the enforced disappearances and brutal treatment of prisoners, particularly under the regime of Sheikh Hasina.
The existence of Aynaghar, although known to the people of Bangladesh, recently came to light after Sheikh Hasina fled the country. So what is Bangladesh’s Aynaghar, let’s find out.
Purpose and Operation
Aynaghar’s primary function was to detain political opponents, dissidents, and suspected extremists. Since 2009, when Sheikh Hasina came to power, the facility has been a hub for the DGFI’s operations, which included the detention, interrogation, and often torture of those deemed threat to the government. Reports suggest that over 600 enforced disappearances have taken place, with many of the victims ending up in Aynaghar or similar secret prisons.
Conditions Inside Aynaghar
The conditions within Bangladesh’s Aynaghar are described as harsh and dehumanizing. Prisoners are held in windowless cells with high ceilings, lit by a single bulb, and dominated by the constant, overwhelming noise of exhaust fans. The noise is so pervasive that it drowns out all other sounds, isolating the prisoners even further. The walls of these cells are etched with desperate messages from former detainees, many of whom wrote pleas for their families to continue searching for them.
Torture and Mistreatment
Aynaghar of Bangladesh is also known for the torture and mistreatment of its prisoners. Former detainees, like Sheikh Mohammad Salim and Hasinur Rahman, have recounted severe beatings and psychological torment.
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The facility’s soundproof cells were specifically designed for interrogations, allowing the guards to carry out their brutal methods without fear of being overheard. For many, Aynaghar was a place where they were broken down physically and mentally, stripped of their dignity and hope.
Discovery and Aftermath
The existence of Aynaghar came under scrutiny following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime. As the government crumbled, families of the missing gathered outside DGFI headquarters, hoping to bring their loved ones home.
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Although the DGFI claimed that Aynaghar no longer held any detainees, the facility remains a symbol of the fear and repression that characterized the Hasina era. The mystery surrounding Aynaghar, and the fate of many who were taken there, continues to haunt Bangladesh.
Legacy of Fear
Even as the political landscape shifts, the legacy of Aynaghar endures. The prison stands as a grim reminder of the extremes to which a government might go to silence opposition. For the families of those still missing, Aynaghar represents not just a physical space but a profound injustice that remains unresolved. The stories of those who survived its horrors serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
