JMB threatens to blow up Satkhira college, school

In a letter to the Principal of Satkhira Government Women's College, the Islamist outfit threatened to kill the female students and to blow up the hostel of the college if the authorities did not introduce Islamic education and tries to hold Victory Day programmes.

The hand written letter, received on December 8, reads, "We want to make Bangladesh an Islamic country. Shut down your women hostel for indefinite period. Introduce madrasa education and follow Shariah laws". Otherwise, "The JMB men will detonate bombs any moment for non-compliance", the letter added.

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Another JMB letter sent to the headmaster of Rasulpur High School in the town on December 7 also threatened to kill the students and to blow up the school building if the authorities failed to introduce madrasa education.

They asked the school authorities not to send their students to the Victory Day programmes scheduled to take place at Satkhira Stadium on December 16.

"JMB men will be present at the stadium. We will blow up the stadium on that day," the letter warned.

The authorities of the two institutions informed the local administration and police on receiving the letters.

The incident triggered panic among the teachers, students, guardians and residents in the town.

When contacted, Principal Hosneara Khatun lamented that they feel now insecure after the killings in Gazipur and Netrakona by the members of the JMB suicide squad.

"The threats have disrupted both education and administration of the college. I have instructed my students not to go outside the college gate," she said.

Rifat Amin, guardian of a student told this correspondent that the threat forced his sons and daughters to keep indoors.

Abdur Razzak, another guardian said, country-wide threat by the suicide squads is now hampering the study of his panic-stricken daughter.

Sheikh Abdus Sattar, a local elite, said, the rise in militancy has disrupted our everyday life. We are now extremely worried about our school-going wards.

Police Superintendent Abdur Rahim said that directives have been issued to the officials concerned to keep watch on schools, colleges and madrasas. He urged all to 'move cautiously as it is not possible to arrange adequate security within short time.'