PBCP factions reunite to avenge crossfire killings

Targets on their hit-list include journalists, police and members of other law enforcing agencies.

This information was given to police by outlaw Anwar Hossain following his arrest in connection with BNP leader Munzir Ahmed murder case.

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He also confessed to his involvement in the murder of Munzir Ahmed.

Munjir was killed in a bomb attack Monday night near AGM Club at Matondanga under Khanjahan Ali thana of Khulna city.

The outlaw confessed to Magistrate that he was among four others who killed the BNP leader for not paying toll on monthly basis. Police said out Anowar Hossain is an armed cadre of Janajuddho.

Janajuddho is still strong enough under the leadership of its founder Dada Tapan to carry out its guerilla activities against 'class enemies' despite the recent killing of its 'operation commander' Shoiab in a crossfire, Anwar told police.

According to a highly placed source in Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), the PBCP (Janajuddho) is recruiting unemployed youths in large numbers and raising separate bomb squads and women squads in Khulna city and other towns and districts in Khulna division.

The newly recruited youths, mostly aged between 14 to 20, are being used to throw bombs on targets and carry bombs and arms to destinations, the sources said.

Members of its women squad are being used to pass advance information about movement of targets of the hit-list, the sources added.

Meanwhile, messages have been sent to all police stations, particularly in border districts of Khulna division, to remain on high alert to prevent Janajuddho founder Tapan from of leaving the country.

Combing operation even at village level is on in all districts of Khulna division to arrest Tapan.

KMP in January 2002 declared a bounty of Tk 50,000 to provide information leading to arrest of PBCP Janajuddho founder Abdur Rashid Malitha alias Dada Tapan. The bounty was declared after he escaped from police custody in Khulna Judge Court on January 26, 2002.

But none has so far responded to the bounty offer, fearing reprisal as Tapan frequently visited Khulna in disguise to monitor activities of his cadres and give necessary guidelines, sources said.