Law-&-Order
Ansar Al Islam militant arrested from N’ganj
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested a member of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam on Friday from Fatullah in Narayanganj.
The arrestee was identified as Ali Sayfi, 24, son of Ali Ashraf from the Talla Ajmeri Bagh area falling under Fatullah model police station, said police.
He was arrested from a mosque in the Talla Ajmeribagh area on Friday noon during a drive conducted by Rab-3. However, two other members of Ansar Al Islam - Maruf Taki, 26, and Mohibulla, 28, managed to flee, said Rab.
Read: Rab intensifies anti-militancy drive in CHT, 10 arrested
Rab-3 handed over the arrestee to police on Friday night and filed a case in this regard at Fatullah model police station, said Kazi Masud Rana, inspector and investigation officer in the case.
According to the case complaint, Sayfi got information about extremist organization Al Qaeda from the internet in 2018. Later he started spreading extremist ideology along with Taki and Mohibullah from the Misbahul Ummah Hifz Madrasah in Ajmeribagh, as an Ansar Al Islam member.
During the arrest Rab recovered an Android phone, SIM cards, pen drive and extremist literature he used to promote extremist ideologies, said the inspector.
Sayfi was produced before a court with a seven day remand prayer on Saturday but a hearing on this regard will be held on Sunday, he said.
‘Some abuses are reported while implementing any new law’
Law Minister Anisul Huq has said the government remains vigilant to stop any misuse or abuse of the Digital Security Act (DSA), noting that some abuses are reported while implementing any new law in any country in the world.
The issue of amendment to the law comes when there are abuses and the government is trying to plug in the places where there is scope of abuse and misuse, he said.
"If there is a necessity for any amendment, we will do that," said the Law Minister.
He, however, said bringing amendments to any law is a lengthy process and the government may go for shortening the process by introducing relevant rules.
The Law Minister was speaking at a debate on DSA, moderated by Editors Guild President and Editor-in-Chief of Ekattor Television Mozammel Babu on Saturday.
Minister Huq said a perception regarding the DSA has been created and the government is aware of it.
He said the government is listening to all and trying to address the issues. “We are trying to solve the problem. Our ears are not closed.”
After identifying certain cases of misuse and abuse through the DSA in 2019, the Law Minister said he tried to find out other countries where such laws exist and also contacted the Office of the UN Human Rights Commission.
"We are still discussing the good practices,” he said, adding that he even sat with the Home Minister and decided that the journalists will not be arrested right away.
The Law Minister said when a complaint is lodged, a cell will decide whether or not there is prima facie proof that an offence has been made under the law.
The Law Minister referred to the law regarding punishment for making any kind of propaganda or campaign against liberation war, spirit of Liberation War, Father of the Nation, national anthem or national flag.
“Was it necessary to protect? Yes, it was necessary,” he said, adding that it hurts him when someone says 30 lakh people did not sacrifice their lives during the Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971.
“It (such distortion of settled history) does not just bring tears in my eyes, it seems to me that someone hit on my chest,” he added.
The Law Minister also questioned those who made room for war criminals like Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid in the cabinet.
Human rights activist advocate ZI Khan Panna, cultural personality Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia and Bangladesh Faruq Faisel, filmmaker Kamar Ahmad Simon, Prothom Alo joint editor Sohrab Hassan and journalist Syed Ishtiaque Reza, among others, spoke at the discussion.
Anti-militancy drive in CHT: 10 arrestees sent to jail
A court in Rangamati has sent seven members of newly launched militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three members of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) to jail in a case filed with Belaichhari police station in the district.
Rangamati Judicial Magistrate Farzana Akter passed the order around 7:30pm on Friday after police produced them before court without any remand plea, said Asaduzzaman, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Court Police.
There may be an appeal for remand when they are produced again in the court after a few days, he added.
On Thursday, the RAB arrested 10 people including militants and separatists raiding various areas in Bandarban and Rangamati districts.
The arrestees were identified as: Sayed Maruf Ahmed alias Manik, 31, of Sunamganj, Imran Hossain alias Shaon, 31, of Pirojpur, Kawsar alias Shishir, 46, of Jhenaidah, Jahangir Ahmed alias Jonu, 27, of Sylhet, Md Ibrahim Ali, 19, of Barishal, Abu Bakar Siddique alias Bappi, 23, of Sylhet, Rofu Mia, 26, of Sunamganj, and the members of the separatist group Jouthang Sang Bom, 19, Stephen Bom, 19, and Mal Som Bom, 20, all of Bandarban.
“The arrestees confessed that they had an agreement with a separatist group (KNF) to provide them shelter and training in exchange for money,” Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s legal and Media Wing told the media briefing on Friday noon.
In 2021, the Amir of Jamatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya had an agreement with the CHT-based armed group KNF regarding militant training in the area till next year. As per the agreement, Tk 3 lakh per month and food expenses of all KNF members were to be borne, according to the briefing.
“In this regard, details can be known after interrogating the three members of the separatist group,” said Commander Moin.
“We are conducting drives through the remote hilly areas (mostly 2,500 feet high) and deep forests where they (militants) are hiding. They are also changing their location, sensing our presence,” he said.
More than 50 militants were being trained at the militant camps in the CHT area, he added.
Garment worker gang-raped in Gazipur; 2 held
Two youths were arrested on Friday for their alleged involvement in the gang-rape of a readymade garment worker in Salna area of Gazipur on Friday.
The arrestees are Hriday and Monir, of the Bariali area of the city.
Sharp weapons and a motorcycle were recovered from their possession, said Mosharraf Hossain, sub-inspector of Sadar police station.
According to the victim, she used to work in a garment factory in the Salna area. On Friday afternoon, she went to visit her friend near her house in search of a new job. On the way back home, two youths threatened the victim with dire consequences and took her to an abandoned house where they raped her.
Tanveer Ahmed, councilor of Ward No 19 of Gazipur City Corporation said they caught the accused after hearing the screams of the victim after Jummma prayers and handed them over to police.
On information, police rushed to the spot and rescued the victim and took her to the police station, said the police officer.
Further legal action will be taken after a medical test of the victim, he added.
4 held over supplying 'cheat sheet' during recruitment test in Thakurgaon
Four people, including two school teachers, have been detained for supplying a cheat sheet containing the answers to an examinee during the recruitment test of the Department of Social Services in Thakurgaon on Friday.
The incident occurred at the Thakurgaon Government Girls High School centre. The exam committee handed over the culprits to police for further action.
According to Shaharia Nazir, the Executive Magistrate in charge of the exam center, office assistants Md Jahirul and Deepti Rani were caught red-handed while handing a sheet containing the answers to the exam questions to examinee Shafikul Islam.
“Teachers Kabir Iqbal and Ahmed Jibril didn’t take any actions against either the examinee or the peons. Instead, Iqbal tore the answer copy apart and threw it out of the window when he got it. Jibril, despite being the centre's invigilator, let it go,” said Nazir.
Atiqur Rahman, Investigation Officer (IO) of Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station, confirmed the development.
Rab intensifies anti-militancy drive in CHT, 10 arrested
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested seven members of the new militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three of a separatist organisation from Bandarban and Rangamati on Thursday.
The elite force on Friday briefed the media about the details of their recent operations.
The main purpose of the drives by the elite force was to capture those who are taking shelter and taking training there after tracing their location, Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s legal and Media Wing told the briefing.
The Rab spokesman disclosed that the arrestees included seven members of newly launched militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three members of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from Bandarban and Rangamati.
Read: Tourists leaving Bandarban amid security drive to remove suspected militants, criminals
They were arrested on Thursday night, said Commander Moin. Rab started their drives in these areas on October 9.
The arrestees were identified as: Sayed Maruf Ahmed alias Manik, 31, of Sunamganj, Imran Hossain alias Shaon, 31, of Pirojpur, Kawsar alias Shishir, 46, of Jhenaidah, Jahangir Ahmed alias Jonu, 27, of Sylhet, Md Ibrahim Ali, 19, of Barishal, Abu Bakar Siddique alias Bappi, 23, of Sylhet, Rofu Mia, 26, of Sunamganj, and the members of the separatist group Jouthang Sang Bom, 19, Stephen Bom, 19, and Mal Som Bom, 20, of Bandarban.
“The arrestees confessed that they had an agreement with a separatist group (KNF) to provide them shelter and training in exchange for money,” said the Rab officer.
In 2021, the Amir of Jamatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya had an agreement with the CHT-based armed group KNF regarding militant training in the area till next year. As per the agreement, Tk 3 lakh per month and food expenses of all KNF members were to be borne, according to the briefing.
Wanted robber held in Dhaka, 5 days after escaping from Chaudanga police custody
Sleuths of the detective branch of Chaudanga police on Friday claimed to have arrested a wanted robber from Dhaka’s Dhamrai area, five days after he escaped from police custody by unlocking his handcuffs.
The accused has been identified Azizul Sheikh, son of late Fazal Sheikh of Jalirpar village in Gopalganj’s Moksudpur upazila.
Currently, a total of 14 cases are pending against Azizul at different police stations of the country.
According to Abdullah Al Mamun, superintendent of Chuadanga police, a prison van was taking Azizul to the local court from the district jail on Sunday morning.
“He fled by unlocking his handcuffs after coming out of the vehicle. Five days later, our detectives tracked him down in Dhamrai using technology and arrested him," he
said.
On October 16, an assistant sub-inspector and two constables of Chuadanga police were suspended for dereliction in duty in connection with the escape of the accused.
Besides, Chuadanga police also formed a three-member probe committee, headed by the additional SP, and asked it to submit a report on Azizul’s escape at the earliest.
Shibir activist held in Chandpur for threatening to kill PM
Police have arrested an activist of Islami Chhatra Shibir from Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur allegedly for threatening to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on a Facebook Live video.
The arrestee was identified as Md Shihabuddin, a resident of the upazila.
"He is an active member of Islami Chhatra Shibir and a madrasa student," Md Jobaer Sayed, officer-in-charge of Hajiganj police station disclosed at a press briefing on Friday (October 21) at noon.
A case was registered against Shihabuddin under the Digital Security Act and he was sent to jail, added the OC.
Earlier, Shihabuddin was arrested from the upazila on Thursday night, OC Jobaer said.
Anti-militancy drive in hills: 7 Jama'atul Ansar members, 3 separatists held
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) claimed to have arrested seven members of new militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three of a separatist organisation from Bandarban and Rangamati Thursday night.
During the operation by RAB against suspected militants in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), a large number of weapons and ammunition were also seized, ASP Imran Khan of RAB Headquarters (media wing), said.
On October 17, the government announced a ban on tourists travelling to the country's mountainous region bordering India and Myanmar after launching the anti-militancy operation of RAB and Bangladesh Army.
Read: Temporary ban on tourism at Rowangchhari and Ruma to fight ‘militants and criminals’
Multiple separatist groups in the CHT may have been harbouring members of Jama'atul Ansar and allowing them to use the area to train recruits.
RAB said this on October 10 after arresting 12 suspected members of the new militant outfit, formed by former members of banned Islamist groups Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh and Ansar Al Islam.
ACC okays chargesheet against 5 ex-NSU trustees, 4 others
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday approved a chargesheet against nine people including five former members of the board of trustees of North-South University (NSU) for laundering around Tk 304 crore.
ACC Secretary Mahbub Hossain said the investigation officer of the case and director of ACC’s investigation and inquiry cell will submit the chargesheet before the court.
The accused are - NSU trustee board chairman Azim Uddin Ahmed, members- Benajir Ahmed, MA Kashem, Rehana Rahman, Mohammed Shajahan, Ashaloy Housing and Developers Amin managing director Md Hilaly, its chairman Omar Faruk and directors- Anwara Begum and Syed AK Haque.
On May 5, the ACC filed the case against the NSU trustees and others on charges of embezzling money in the name of buying land for the campus and money laundering.
According to the Private University Act, 2010, the board of trustees is the highest governing body of a private university like North South University. According to the Memorandum of Association and Articles (Rules and Regulations) of the University, the university is a charitable, welfare oriented, non-commercial and non-profit educational institution.
The case stated that over 9,088 decimal land was bought in the name of campus development of NSU through the consent of some members of the board of trustees bypassing the approval of the university syndicate, the University Grants Commission, and the Ministry of Education.
They later withdrew cash from the buyer through cheques in their own names and kept FDR in their own names. Later, they themselves embezzled the FDR money.
They unjustly benefited themselves by committing illegal activities, criminal misconduct through misuse of power and embezzling university and government funds, according to the case statement.
In carrying out such illegal activities, they have committed a punishable offence by resorting to fraud and forgery and exchanging commissions.