JMB militants regroup, resume activities in 6 Sirajganj upazilas

Setting up make-shift camps in 'Chalan Beel' and 'Jamunar Char' they are carrying out organisational activities in remote areas of Raiganj, Tarash, Kazipur, Kamar Khanda, Belkuchi and Chowhali.

According to the villagers, the JMB is working to recruit new members for the organisation from schools, colleges and madrasas in those upazilas. Needy and pro-Islamist teachers and students are their main target. Some teachers and students have already joined the outfit, sources said.

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The militants have also circulated some leaflets in different areas asking people to contribute in cash and kind to their funds for establishment of the 'rule of Quran.'

Sources said, a number of militants have taken shelter in houses of villagers in the guise of "Musafir" (traveller). Some of them stay at mosques in day time but go out for activities after dusk.

In Chalan Beel and Jamunar Char areas some villagers told this correspondent that they now-a-days see some unknown faces here and there. Villages believe these people might be activists of JMB.

Panicked devotees in the villages said, they now feel insecure to go to mosque for offering prayers fearing attack on congregation.

JMB men also demanded toll from local contractors and political leaders. They threatened to kill them if they earn money through unfair means. They also asked them not to inform police about the matter. A contractor told this correspondent that he received a post card recently in the name of 'JMB Jihad' group that threatened to kill him by bombing.

Local police, however, denied the allegation. But they said that they have tightened security in important spots. They said five suspected JMB men have been arrested from different areas during the last few days.

The arrestees are Alamgir Hossain of Borokura village in Kamarkhand upazila, Belal Hossain, teacher of Pukurpar Madrasha in Ullapara upazila and village of Razapur in Belkuchi upazila, Abdul Mannan of Sarbotulshi village in Belkuchi upazila, Abdul Malek of Mulbera village in Ullapara and Mannan Hossain of Hossainpur slum in Sirajganj town. Police believe they are involved in August 17 serial bomb blasts at 7 points of Sirajganj town.

Sadar thana OC Abdul Jabbar, who is an investigation officer of the bomb blast cases, said he will submit chargesheet soon against the arrestees.