Bangla Bhai and police administration

By Mallik Akram Hossain, Hong Kong
13 May 2004, 18:00 PM
Lawlessness has engulfed a large part of Rajshahi, Natore and Naogaon districts with the emergence of a self-proclaimed Islamic militant group just over a month ago. Jagrata Muslim Janata, led by Azizur Rahman, widely known as Bangla Bhai, started a cleansing operation against the outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party from April 1. Newspaper reports say that this militant group has killed five persons and injured dozen others over the past 38 days. It also reports that at Bagmara, the band has decreed compulsory prayers. It is mandatory for men to grow beard and women to wear burkha (veil) when outside their homes. Local people claim that the police, district administration and some leaders of the ruling party have been supporting them. My question is that to flush out outlaws the operation of a militant organisation cannot be supported. In addition to that, to legalise the operation and draw sympathy from the people they are using religion, which is contrary to the basic teachings of Islam.

The situation in the northern region might go out of control and it will have a big negative impact on security in the long run. And their activities are also undermining our religion, Islam. The government must take stern action against those involved in the unlawful activities.