JMB, HuJi activists in Satkhira regrouping

Most of the suspected activists of JMB and HuJi who had fled their areas after the August 17 bomb blasts in the district to evade arrest, have reappeared in their strongholds, sources claimed. They have dens in Choloigacha and Bansdaha in Sadar upazila, Sultanpur in Kolaroa and Ullah in Ashashuni upazila.

Police had earlier listed 129 Islamist militants in the areas and had decided to file cases against them under the Special Powers Act of 1974. But the decision was later abandoned, allegedly following pressure from certain quarters, the sources said.

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Instead, police filed cases only against those netted immediately aftyer the August 17 blasts in the district.

So the listed 129 JMB activists remained out of police dragnet and are now moving freely and reorganising their groups.

Clad in trousers and shirts instead of pajama and punjabi, the militants have resumed activities in their respective areas as they do not face any charge. The militants include kingpins who recruited and trained youths in use of arms, the sources claimed.

Soon after the August 17 serial bomb blasts in the district, police arrested JMB cadres Nasir Uddin Dafadar and six others who took part in the blasts. But the kingpins remained out of gdragnet.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) ASP Munshi Atique, Investigation officer of the cases, submitted charge sheet accusing 19 JMB activists and leaders including JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai.

Of them Nasir uddin, Giasuddin, Moniruzzaman Munna, Anisur Rahman Khokon, Monowar Hossain Ujjal, Mahbubur Rahman Liton and Belal are Hossain in custody. Chargesheeted accused Fakar Uddin Raji, JMB's regional chief, local leaders Noor Member, Nayeem and others are yet to be arrested. They are reorganising activists of JMB and HuJi, the sources claimed.

On contact, Maj Asad of 41 Rifles Battalion said border guards are on alert so that militants can not cross the border.

Talking to this correspondent, Sadar thana Officer-in-Charge Shahjahan said they are trying to nab JMB local leaders Fakar Uddin Raji, Noor member, Nayeem and other chargesheeted accused.