Nothing tames Janajuddho outlaws in Jhenidah

In their latest attacks on Saturday (October 7), they killed three people including a Jubo Dal leader within a span of 9 hours.

Police and locals said, Jubo Dal leader Lutfar Rahman Shanto was shot dead at around 11 am when he was reading newspaper at a shop at Chandipur Bazaar in Jhenidah Sadar upazila.

Two armed men appeared and opened indiscriminate fire on Shanto, killing him on the spot.

After the incident, one Dipok Roy, identifying himself as a Janajuddho leader, called some local journalists on cellphone and claimed his party's responsibility for the killing.

In the same evening, a Janajuddho gang shot and slaughtered two persons near a canal at Parbotipur village in Harinakundu upazila.

The victims are Sagar, 22 and Altaf, 30 of Parbotipur village.

Rahul Raj, on behalf of Janajuddho, told some local journalists over cellphone that they murdered them as they were thieves and used to harass people.

On October 5, outlaws killed farmer Mahabul, 25, of Dhalaraha Chandra Para village in Shailkupa upazila.

On September 28, Jhantu Mian, a member of Daulatpur Union Parishad in Harinakundu upazila, was shot dead by some armed assailants. After the murder, one Akkas introduced himself as a 'regional commander' of Janajuddho and told newsmen over cellphone that Jhantu was killed as he was a police informer.

According to 'Janajuddho publication' and leaflets distributed by the outlawed outfit, the outlawed party killed at least 25 people in the district between January and October this year, branding them 'class enemies' and police informers.

The victims included public representatives, political leaders, businessman and rivals belonging to other outlawed parties.

The outlawd party carried out at least 31 incidents of bomb attack in the district since February 2004, killing at least six people including an ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector) of police and injuring 36 others, according to data available from police, intelligence agencies, newspaper reports and 'Janajuddho leaflets'.

A source close to Janajuddho leaders claimed that the bomb attacks were made on instruction from its top leader Abdur Rahsid Malitha alias 'Dada Tapan'.

Eleven of the bomb attacks were made in 2004, 12 last year and eight so far this year.

Janajuddho claimed responsibility for most of the bomb attacks. The bomb attack victims include ASI Zahidul Islam of Harinakundu Police Staion, businessman Fazlur Rahman, alleged police informer Abu Bakar and BNP leader and Union Parishad member Md. Shafiuddin.

According to police and intelligence sources, Janajuddho operatives are sheltered by leaders of major political parties.

"Not only Janajuddho, most of the outlaws are sheltered by the two major political parties for use in election", a high ranking police official in Jhenidah told this correspondent seeking anonymity.

At least 25 special drives including 'Operation Clean Heart', 'Operation Spider Web' were launched in south-western districts including Jhenidah. But most of the drives turned futile due to leakage of information, law enforcers claimed.

Police however arrested four people in connection with the murder of UP member Jhantu.

"Police have taken allout measures to curb criminal activities by outlaws in the district and peace will be maintained at any cost", Jhenidah Police superintenent Shahrier Rahman told this correspondent over cell phone.

This correspondent also talked to Janajuddho leader Dipok Roy who responded to a cellphone call from his hideout.

"Peace-loving innocent people are not our target. Our struggle is to establish a society where the poor and labourers will enjoy fundamental rights."