Trial of Islamic militants

There are parallels between the crimes committed by JMB and the genocide committed by Jamaat-e-Islami during liberation war of Bangladesh. The literatures, materials, telephone numbers, bank documents etc. retrieved from various dens of these 'Jihadi' extremists clearly indicate that their ideological Guru is the late founding father of Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Moududi. They are very well organised and an integral part of local and international Islamic militancy networks.

Jamaat-e-Islami is a partner in the present coalition government of Bangladesh. The Rajshahi chapter of the BNP, the lead coalition partner of the present government, has directly patronized Siddiqul Islam alias 'Bangla Bhai', to create a brutal private army, who carried out mayhem and public execution-style killing of leftist, secular political workers and even innocent villagers.

Now, it is evident that both political operatives in the present government along with law enforcing agencies have various degrees of involvement in this violent campaign of JMB. Therefore expecting fair trial from the existing system entwined with the government is an absurdity. Also due to JMB's link with international Islamic extremist groups, it is imperative to try them under the supervision of the UN or the EU, only which can ensure total fairness and transparency of this trial. The credibility of this trial will play a pivotal role in stopping Bangladesh from plunging into the darkness of a Taliban era.