JMB resumes activities in Kushtia, Tangail

A large number of JMB militants are active in Kushtia, where the zealots have strongholds in certain areas in Khoksa, Bheremara and Daulatpur upazilas.

In Tangail, leaflets were circulated recently calling upon Muslim devotees to contribute money to their funds to help establishment of 'rule of Allah'.

Our Kushtia Correspondent reports: JMB activists who were on the run immediately after the August 17 serial bomb blasts have returned to their abodes and resumed activities.

Since the August 17 serial bomb blasts, JMB threatened twice ---on September 10 and October 17---to blow up important government establishments in the district but police could not nab any more activist, except the two caught after the blasts on that day.

According to sources close to JMB, at least 1000 of its activists are active in Khoksa, Bheramara and Daulatpur upazilas in Kushtia. Their activities are run from six madrasas and three mosques. They preach Islamic Jihad to youths.

JMB has about 100 trained persons, known as 'senior leaders'. They are called 'Jihadi Bhai', while the trainees are called 'Jihadi'.

A good number of teachers of colleges, schools and madrasas, students of those institutions, Imams of mosques and government employees are involved with the Islamist outfit. They recruit unemployed youths including girls, some 'Jihadi' members of JMB told this correspondent on condition of anonymity.

A good number of women are also involved with JMB. Most of them are from poor families and have little education. They move door to door and recruit women members.

The sources claimed that a good number of JMB men in the district are supporters of a ruling party.

JMB activist madrasa teacher Shamsul Haq was caught by people when he was fleeing after the August 17 bomb blast on Kushtia court premises and handed over to police. Acting on his statement, police arrested Akbar on August 25. Akbar to confessed his involvement in the August 17 incident.

Quizzing the two persons, police got names of at least eight JMB activists including 'top leader' in the district. But police could not arrest any of them till now.

"We are on the move to nab the cadres and trace their dens", Kushtia Police Superintendent Masud-ul-Hassan told this correspondent when asked.

Meanwhile Janajuddho faction of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML) in a leaflet once again urged the people to unite to resist the Islamist zealots.

On information, police recovered the leaflets. Police and Rapid Action battalion (Rab) have been put on alert in the town after recovery of the leaflets.

Last month, Chuadanga police announced Tk 20 lakh bounty for information leading to arrest of 20 top outlaws including Janajuddho leader Abdur Rashid Malitha alias Tapan alias Dada Tapan, Abir Hasan and Sumon.

Of them, Tofazzel alias Mojar was arrested from Charhogolpara in Damurhuda upazila in Chuadanga by Rab on Wednesday.

Our Tangail Correspondent reports: Leaflets were distributed at the Zila Sadar Mosque in the town recently in the name of JMB calling upon Muslim devotees to donate money to its fund to boost its movement for establishment of 'Islamic rule' in the country. But the leaflet did not contain any address where the money should be sent.

Sources said, an unidentified person came near the mosque in a motorbike during the Esha prayers, threw the leaflets and sped away.

After the prayer, panic gripped the devotees when they found the leaflets.

Being informed a police visited the mosque.

Tangail police said they are hunting for the top ten JMB cadres in the district.

Sources said JMB men have resumed their activities in different areas of the district, particularly in remote forest areas.

Earlier, Ghatail police last week submitted charge sheet against five persons in the August 17 bomb blasts in the district. The chargesheeted persons include JMB chief Shaiekh Abdur Rahman and JMJB (Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh) chief Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai.