JMB still active in remote villages, lonely <i>chars</i>

13 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Golam Mostafa Jibon, Sirajganj

Islamist militants belonging to Jama'atul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB) are allegedly conducting their organisational activities from makeshift camps in different char areas and remote villages in Sirajganj and adjoining districts. The makeshift camps in different remote villages including Jamuna chars and Chalan Beel are used by JMB activists for recruitment of new members and their training, sources said. JMB militants are choosing remote areas of Sirajganj, Bogra, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Joypurhat, Natore, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Naogaon and Nilphamari districts for setting up camps, as law enforcers are less vigilant there due to communication problem. When the people of the country are yet to reel from the shock of Pilkhana massacre and law enforcers are busy to find out those involved in the carnage, the JMB activists are getting reorganised with preparations to carry out their mission, sources said. They are also working to recruit new members from different madrasas, especially Quami madrasas in the areas. The fanatics have targeted needy, uneducated people to recruit in their organisation. They also distribute money among the targeted people. Villagers of Chalan Beel and Jamunar Chars told this correspondent that they often see unknown faces roaming about in the area. “We think these people might be activists of JMB and they are working in the area to recruit members and give them training,” they said. Several villagers said they hear sounds like that of explosion from different remote chars at deep nights. It might be sounds of bomb blast or firing, which are used during training, they said. “Once JMB activists were active in different places including Khetlal, Kalai, Joypurhat, Chapainawabganj, Gaibandha and Gabtoli in northern region. Following arrest and conviction of JMB bigwigs including Bangla Bhai and Abdur Rahman and drives by law enforcers, they took shelter to other places,” said an official of a law enforcement agency seeking anonymity.