Hefazat-e-Islam
JaPa accuses govt of harassing opponents
Jatiya Party on Wednesday accused the government of harassing its leaders and activists in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon over the vandalism at Royal Resort.
In a statement, party chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu said neither Jatiya Party nor its any leaders and activists were nvolved in the attack on the Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3 following the detention of Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mamunul Haque with a woman.
However, they said Jatiya Party’s Sonargaon Upazila unit President and Shambhupura Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rauf and Sonargaon Municipal Jatiya Party Vice President and Municipality Councilor Farooque Ahmed were arrested by implicating them in "false" cases. “Besides, at least 35 more of our leaders and activists are being harassed in the false cases."
Also read: Jamaat and Japa leaders detained in Narayanganj
The Jatiya Party top leaders demanded the government immediately release Rauf and Farooque and stop the harassment of their leaders and workers.
They alleged that Jatiya Party leaders and activists could not stay at home during this holy month of Ramadan amid coronavirus pandemic as police are raiding their houses every night.
GM Quader and Bablu also said family members of the Jatiya Party leaders and activists have become worried over the continuous police raids.
Also read: Killing of Chattogram workers unacceptable: GM Quader
They demanded the government ensure that no innocent person who had no involvement in the resort attack incident is unnecessarily arrested or harassed.
Hefazat-e-Islam's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque was detained with a woman he claims as his second wife at Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3.
Hours later, a group of leaders and supporters of Hefazat and some locals attacked the resort and snatched Mamunul.
Another top Hefazat leader held in city
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested Maulana Ataullah Amin, assistant general secretary of Hefazat’s Dhaka Metropolitan Unit and joint secretary general of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, from the city’s Mohammadpur area early Wednesday.
According to Rab headquarters, the elite force members arrested Amin from a madrasha around 12:30 am.
He was arrested in connection with a case filed with Paltan Police Station.
Detectives arrested Mawlana Qurban Ali Kasemi, Vice-President of Hefazat-e-Islam and Joint Secretary General of Khilafat Majlish, from Dhaka's Basabo area on Tuesday.
Also read: Another Hefazat leader detained
Earlier on April 18, Hefazat's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haq was arrested from a madrasah in Mohammadpur area.
Some other senior Hefazat leaders were arresed in recent time after Hefazat’s activists acts of violence at different parts of the country protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marking the celebration of golden jubilee of the country’s independence last month.
Also read: Hefazat leader Azizul Haque Islamabadi held in Chattogram
Other arrested leaders include Hefazat’s Dhaka city unit president Junaid Al-Habib, assistant general secretary Jalaluddin Ahmed, its Dhaka City unit vice-president Maulana Jubair Ahmed, Assistant Publicity Secretary Sharifullah and organising secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi.
8 jailed in Sylhet for inciting violence over Mamunul's arrest
Eight people have been jailed for inciting anarchy and violence among general mass over the arrest of Hefazat-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque in Zakiganj of Sylhet
The arrestees are: Sahab Uddin, 30, Zakaria, 32, Manzur Ahmed, 48, Shah Mortuza Ali Raju, 40, Zillur Rahman, 50, Humayun Azad, 45, Nurul Haque Khan, 47 and Kamil Ahmed, 22.
All of them are activists of BNP, Jamaat or Hefazat.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Zakiganj Police Station Abul Qasim confirmed the news to UNB.
Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
He said, "The arrests were made on Monday night following a case filed against 17 named and several unnamed accused under the Special Powers Act."
"Operations are currently underway to identify and arrest the others involved,” he added.
According to police and local sources, a group of people, mainly activists and leaders of Hefazat, BNP and Jamaat brought out a procession protesting Mamunul’s arrest in Shahgali area of Zakiganj at around 10pm on Monday.
Earlier on April 18, Joint Secretary General of Hefajat-e-Islam, Mamunul Haque was arrested from a madrasa in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area.
Also read: Mamunul put on 7-day remand in vandalism case
He was arrested in connection with a vandalism case filed against him with Mohammadpur Police Station.
The much controversial Hefazat leader was produced before the court the following day where the court placed him on a 7-day remand.
BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said that everyone knows today that BNP is directly and indirectly involved in Hefazat violence.
He said that the recent violence in Hefazat-e-Islam was not only due to its patronage but also to the BNP.
Obaidul Quader made these remarks in an exchange of views with officials of Rajshahi Road Zone, BRTC, BRTA this morning.
He joined the meeting virtually from his official residence.
Mentioning that no one was arrested for any party or Alem Ulama, the General Secretary of Awami League said that those who were directly involved in the violence, attacked and set fire to the infrastructure, were arrested after watching the video.
Also read: Hefazat violence in Brahmanbaria: 60 held, two more cases filed
Obaidul Quader, in response to the BNP leaders saying that the government is isolated from the people, said that the BNP said this out of remorse for its continuous failure for the last thirteen years.
Mentioning that the BNP has been calling for a movement for more than a decade, Obaidul Quader said that their failure to organise a movement, and also their shameless collapse in national and local elections and by-elections proves who is isolated from the people.
He said that the party which has been following the undemocratic path since its birth has today become the peddler of democracy and is giving advice to the country and the nation.
Mentioning yes-no vote without ballot box and curfew at night, Obaidul Quader said BNP's democracy means voterless election on February 15, by-election in Magura, Dhaka-10 constituency and preparation of 13 million fake voters.
Also read: AL victim of political plots: Obaidul Quader
Recalling Sheikh Hasina's struggle for democracy, Obaidul Quader said that the present government is very sincere in overcoming obstacles and institutionalizing democracy.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader directed the concerned authorities to make BRTA acceptable to the customers and said that although the harassment in this organization has decreased as compared to the past, there are complaints in some areas and they should be stopped.
He also instructed the concerned to take forward the construction work before the monsoon.
Hefazat leader Qurban Ali Kasemi arrested in Dhaka
Mawlana Qurban Ali Kasemi, Vice-President of Hefazat-e-Islam and Joint Secretary General of Khilafat Majlish, was arrested from Dhaka's Basabo area on Tuesday.
Members of Detective Branch (DB) arrested the Islamist leaders at 5:30pm, said Iftekharul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Also read: Hefazat amir demands release of arrested leaders
Earlier on April 18, Hefazat's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haq was arrested from a madrasah in Mohammadpur area.
More arrests of Hefazat’s senior leaders were made in recent time after Hefazat supporters' acts of violence at different parts of the country protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marking the celebration of golden jubilee of the country’s independence last month.
Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
Other arrested leaders include Hefazat’s Dhaka city unit president Junaid Al-Habib, assistant general secretary Jalaluddin Ahmed, its Dhaka City unit vice-president Maulana Jubair Ahmed, Assistant Publicity Secretary Sharifullah and organising secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi.
7 more Hefazat men held over B’baria mayhem
Police have apprehended seven more people in connection with last month's mayhem by Hefazat-e-Islam supporters in Brahmanbaria, taking the total number of arrests to 317.
The arrests were made from different parts of the district after identifying the accused from video footage and images taken during the violence, police said.
So far, 55 cases have been filed and 414 accused identified in connection with the mayhem.
Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
Thr next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Also read: Hefazat violence in Brahmanbaria: 60 held, two more cases filed
Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalised several private and government establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.
Also read: 12 more Hefazat supporters held over Brahmanbaria violence
Hefazat amir demands release of arrested leaders
Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Junayed Babunagari on Monday demanded the release of their arrested leaders via a statement on social media.
In the 20-minute long video he asked for unconditional release of all Ulema-Masayek and Hefazat leaders, including the party's joint secretary general Mamunul Haque and organising secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi.
He said some mishaps happened on 26 March but Hefazat-e-Islam had no event at Hathazari or Brahmanbaria that day - even he was not present in Hathazari.
The Hefazat chief asked the government to stop filing false cases against the leaders and to stop harassing and arresting them.
Also read: 12 more Hefazat supporters held over Brahmanbaria violence
Although there is no proof that Hefazat-e-Islam has any links to any political parties, propaganda to that effect is being spread, he said.
"What kind of oppression is this? A country cannot be run in this way," he said.
Babunagari said Hefazat leaders are being shown arrested under false cases filed in 2013.
Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
Hefazat's aim is not to take any political party to power or to force anyone to step down from power. Their sole aim is to establish the agenda of Muhammad (PBUH), he said.
"We don't want any anarchy or militancy," Babunagari further said.
12 more Hefazat supporters held over Brahmanbaria violence
Twelve more people were arrested in the past 24 hours over the vandalism and arson carried out by Hefazat-e-Islam activists and supporters in Brahmanbaria last month, police said Monday.
The arrests were made from different parts of the district after inspecting video footage of the violence, according to the special branch of district police.
So far, 55 cases have been filed and 310 people arrested over the rampage, the police said.
On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 policemen, injured in clashes between the law enforcers and locals during Hefazat's demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.
They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit.
The next day, during Hefazat's countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike, against police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, the organisation's activists in Chattogram and other districts set three buildings on fire, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Also, the Hefazat supporters vandalised several private and government establishments, including the municipality building, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.
Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
Joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam Mamunul Haq was finally arrested from a madrasah in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday.
A joint team, comprising members of the police, Detective Branch and other forces, conducted a drive at Jamia Rahmania Madrasah at noon and arrested him, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Media) Iftekharul Islam.
Also read: 2 more senior Hefazat leaders arrested from Dhaka
At a press briefing, deputy commissioner of DMP Harunur Rashid said, “Mamunul was arrested in connection with a case filed over vandalism with Mohammadpur Police Station in 2020.”
2 more senior Hefazat leaders arrested from Dhaka
Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two Dhaka city unit leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam from the city’s Baridhara and Mohammadpur areas on Saturday.
The arrestees are Hefazat-e-Islam Dhaka city unit president Junaid Al Habib and its assistant general secretary Jalal Uddin Ahmed.
Also read: Another Hefazat leader detained
Contacted, Joint Commissioner (DB) of the DMP Mahbub Alam said Junaid Al Habib, also Hefazat’s central joint secretary general, was arrested from a Madrasa of Baridhara just before Iftar on Saturday.
Besides, Hefazat city unit assistant secretary general Jalal Uddin Ahmed, who is also central committee Assistant Secretary General, was arrested from his Mohammadpur residence at around 2:00 pm, the Joint Commissioner (DB) said.
Also read: Another top Hefazat leader arrested
Replying to a question, he said the two Hefazat leaders were arrested in connection with the case filed with Motijheel police station for the mayhem carried out in 2013 and also for the case filed with Paltan police station in March last month in connection with the violence in Baitul Mukkarram Mosque area (during Modi's visit).
On Friday afternoon the DB also arrested another leader of the religious organisation, Jubair Ahmed, from Lalbagh.
Also read: Hefazat leader Azizul Haque Islamabadi held in Chattogram
With the arrest of the two Hefazat leaders, the number of arrests of Hefazat leaders rose to seven by the DB police from the city in recent weeks.