Can Bangla Bhai evade PM's arrest order?

Many people in Rajshahi region say so.

"The Prime Minister got the right message about the vigilante operation (by JMJB) and she rightly ordered his arrest, but the interested quarters stood against," said a BNP leader at Bhawaniganj seeking anonymity.

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He is backed by influential leaders of the ruling alliance, he said.

Many villagers in different areas this correspondent talked to said the situation has not changed since the law enforcers launched a manhunt for him.

Rather, the colour of "terrorists" has changed.

"Instead of PBCP cadres, JMJB men are now collecting toll, kidnapping people for ransom and grabbing cropland and ponds ", said a schoolteacher at Bhawaniganj.

"JMJB men now include many notorious PBCP activists who surrendered to it (JMJB)", a solvent villager at Taherpur said.

"We can't allow Bangla Bhai in a democratic country where there are forces to maintain law and order," said a businessman at Atrai in Naogaon.

"Whoever Bangla Bhai may be and whatever be his activity, he should be arrested since the Prime Minister ordered so...It will be damaging for both the Prime Minister and her party because her order is going unheeded," said a university student and BNP supporter at Bagmara.

Locals alleged that Bangla Bhai men are active in the areas even after the arrest order by the Prime Minister.

"He stayed at a Bhawaniganj clinic for several days. Police, instead of arresting him, asked him to leave the place following media reports," said a source there. The administration allowed him go into hiding following pressure from some influential quarters in the ruling alliance, they claimed.

Speculations on his hideout, the quarters supporting him and possibilities of a comeback to lead 'vigilante operations' are discussed by people in every village and market in the region.

People in Rajshahi and Naogaon villages who suffered due to atrocities by JMJB and PBCP want arrest of all activists of the two illegal organisations.

JMJB activists are blamed for killing 15 people and kidnapping over 50 since April 1. An unspecified number of people were maimed due to torture by them, according to different sources and media reports.

Talking to The daily Star Rajshahi Range DIG Noor Muhammad however said, "Police in Rajshahi division are applying their best methods to nab the underground assailant. I ordered his arrest at first sight, but he really went into hiding".

Once cornered by police in early July, Bangla Bhai told some newsmen over phone that he was going to name his patronisers within three days.

Senior police officials think that Bangla Bhai did so to regain support of the influential ruling party men who apparently turned against him for the time being and asked him to go into hiding.