Bomb scare slashes NGO activities in Khulna

Almost all the local NGOs have already stopped holding rallies, human chains and mass contact programmes relating to welfare of people.

According to Director of Rupantar, voluntary services by NGOs have been slashed due to panic. "We are failing to provide welfare-oriented services to the people," said Rupantar Director Rafiqul Islam Khokon.

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Dr Nazmul Hasan chairperson of another NGO Losauk told this correspondent that field level workers are feeling insecure to attend any outdoor programme due to panic being created by suicide bomb attacks in the country. Besides, recovery of fake bombs one after another from different places in Khulna city is one of the factors for postponing different programmes, Dr Nazmul Ahsan said.

It is learnt from different sources that most of the NGOs working in Khulna have already cancelled their annual work programmes due to rise in bomb attacks by Islamist extremists. As a result, image of NGOs is being seriously affected, they said.

"JMB threat to blow up offices of NGOs scared our field level officials who do not attend or hold any outdoor or indoor programme", said Executive Director of Nabalok Kazi Wahiduzzaman.

Heads of some other local NGOs requesting anonymity told The Daily Star that at least 30 percent of money provided for different projects will have to be refunded because projects could not be implemented fully fearing bomb attacks by Islamic militants.

When contacted, KMP Commissioner Khan Saeed Hasan said necessary steps have been taken to provide security to NGO offices and also venues where they hold programmes.

"We are trying our best to track down Islamic militants. Security forces and intelligence personnel are working relentlessly to arrest JMB cadres and suicide bombers", the KMP Commissioner said.