JMB suspect still a police SI

100 militants active in Bogra

14 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

A sub-inspector (SI), listed by police as an activist of outlawed militant Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) after the countrywide bomb blasts on August 17 2005, is still working in the police department. Shortly after the countrywide 2005 bomb attacks, police headquarters sent a list of 49 'JMB men' active in several areas of Bogra district, suspecting their involvement in the serial blasts. The name of AKM Alamgir Jahan Rana alias Masud Rana, hailing from Hindukandi village in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra district, was mentioned in serial No 11 in the list of 49 suspected JMB activists, Bogra police said. His father's name was mentioned as Motiur Rahman, they said. Talking to this correspondent over cell phone yesterday, SI Rana said he was once a Chhatra Dal worker and now he is posted as an SI in Tangail Sadar Police Station. Rana said he got help from Shibir leaders for admission to Economics Department in Bogra Azizul Haque College. He, however, denied his involvement with JMB activities. Tangail Superintendent of Police Abdul Mannan told this correspondent yesterday that SI Rana has already been released for transfer. Before joining police, Rana started a physical tanning centre for local youths in a rented room at Sariakandi Sarker Market in Sariakandi upazila, local people said. Bogra police sources said some 100 JMB activities of several upazilas under Bogra secretly resumed their activities in the area. At least eight absconding JMB activists including Saiful and Latif of Gabtoli upazila are now active in Bogra with the leadership of newly nominated Sura member for their 'Bogra Division' (eight organising districts) 'Bhagney' Shahid of Saghata upazila in Gaibandha district, JMB sources said. Many locals of Gabtoli and Sariakandi upazilas keep close contact with SI Masud, sources said. Masud, however, said some local people, not JMB men, contact him as they are his relatives and acquaintances.