Bruce Tefft
Thu, 06 Oct 2005 06:26:59 -0700
`Islamists striving for Sharia in Bangladesh' * Expert say militants aim to intimidate the judiciary to enact Sharia law * Police investigators caution against more attacks by militants [From: Daily Times (Lahore) 06 October 2005] DHAKA: The radical Islamists behind Bangladesh's second wave of bombings in less than two months targeted the judiciary to press for the introduction of Islamic laws in the mainly Muslim democracy, security experts said. Monday's simultaneous blasts at courthouses in three towns, which killed two people and wounded 15 including a district court judge, may also have sought to terrorise judges due to try hundreds of people arrested for a string of attacks in August. "The militants want to intimidate the judiciary. They have demanded radical changes in the legal system in favour of sharia law," said retired army major-general Mohammad Ibrahim. "Secondly, this has to do with the fact that the fate of those apprehended and charged for extremism depend on the judges." More than 400 people have been detained for the 500 or so bomb blasts that rocked the country on August 17 in which two people died and 100 were wounded. Many belonged to the outlawed militant Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, which wants Bangladesh to become a sharia-based Islamic state. No group, however, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The local Sangbad newspaper reported on Wednesday that some of those arrested told police during interrogation that the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen had been planning to target the judiciary to build pressure for enactment of Islamic laws. The explosions on Monday came a day after police filed criminal charges against 28 Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen activists in a court in the northwestern district of Jaipurhat. The attacks also followed Saturday's arrest of Mufti Abdul Hannan, who was accused of leading the Bangladesh chapter of the Islamist militant group Harkatul Jihad and described by police as among the `top terrorists' they had been seeking for years. The bombers had also changed tactics as well as targets, a police officer said, noting that they hid the explosives in books to evade detection. "This is new tactic of carrying bombs. Previously they used plastic or metal boxes but because of deployment of police around the country, they have become more careful," said police superintendent Mohammad Fazlur Rahman. Islamic militants suspected of being involved in a recent series of bomb attacks may strike again, police investigators said on Wednesday. "We are almost certain that Islamic militants carried out the attacks and they may repeat the violence," said a senior police official involved in the investigation. He spoke on condition of anonymity. Security officials discussed the possibility of more attacks at a high-level meeting late on Tuesday, said another police official who was present at the gathering. He also spoke on condition of anonymity. He said authorities have stepped up security ahead of the Hindu festival of the goddess Durga and the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan - the two events feared to be the next target of attacks. "The militants seem to create panic and draw public attention to their cause," the official said. Hindus, who account for 10 percent of Bangladesh's 140 million people, celebrate the Durga Puja festival next week. Muslims are to begin the month of fasting on Thursday. agencies http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_6-10-2005_pg4_12 ..................................................................... Ctg judges get bomb threats over phone Anonymous caller asks them to follow Islamic 'sharia' Star Report [From: Daily Star (Dhaka) 06 October 2005] Three Chittagong judges yesterday received threats of bomb attack from anonymous callers asking them to discharge their duties as per Islamic 'sharia', two days into Monday's bomb attacks in courtrooms in three districts that left two killed and 38 injured. Moreover, a militant organisation -- Islami Ain Bastabayon Parishad -- yesterday mailed three leaflets to Dhaka Bar Association asking it to cooperate in establishing Islamic rule in the country. The leaflets were similar to those circulated with the August 17 blasts. The two incidents triggered panic among people in the judicial arena and they sought security at their houses and offices, and immediate action against those issuing the threats. The judges who received threats are First Joint District Judge Shamsul Islam, Senior Assistant Judge Kazi Abdul Hannan and Judge Umme Kulsum. In Chittagong, following Monday's bomb attack on one judge and yesterday's bomb threats to three, the judges are now feeling too insecure. Some them even asked for bullet-proof jackets and stepped up security at and around their residences and offices, sources said. Court sources said the unknown callers made phone calls to the offices of the three judges between 9:30am and 9:45am. The callers first asked about the identities of the judges and hung up. A few minutes later, they again rang the judges and threatened them with bomb attacks on their courtrooms, the sources added. BDNEWS adds: The higher authorities were immediately informed of the anonymous phone calls. The judges, officers, employees, lawyers and litigants in Chittagong Court Building were reeling under bomb phobia for the third consecutive day yesterday as security measures were not foolproof. Many judges and magistrates were found shortening the court proceedings. An assistant judge, who received bomb threats yesterday, had to adjourn hearing on Tuesday for security reasons. " I took the chair but left the court saying the proceeding could not be held for security reasons," said the judge. Our Chittagong correspondent reports: The three judges who were threatened yesterday informed the matter to District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rahman Patwary and Metropolitan Sessions Judge Anwar Hossain. Later, a large contingent of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) led by the deputy commissioner (special branch) reached the court premises. They were put on guard in front of the judges' rooms. The Chittagong District Bar Association at a protest rally yesterday demanded resignation of the state minister for home for what it said failure to ensure security in the court, BDNEWS added. The rally held to protest Monday's bomb attacks on three district courts blamed Jamaat-e-Islami, a component of the coalition government, for 'patronising' militant fundamentalist outfit the JMB, which orchestrated the recurrent bomb attacks on courts. Vice President of the Bar Association Didarul Alam Chowdhury, former general secretary Montosh Barua and advocates Kamaluddin Iftekher Saimul and Jashimuddin, among others, addressed the rally held in front of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court. Terming courts as the last resort of the people for justice, the speakers urged the government to beef up security measures so that judges, magistrates, lawyers and litigants feel secure on court premises, the news agency added. UNB adds: The judges of the Court of Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Chittagong at an emergency meeting on Tuesday asked the government to take adequate security measures for courtrooms and precincts. The meeting was called in the wake of Monday's bomb attacks on the courtrooms in Chittagong, Chandpur and Laxmipur. At least two people were killed and scores injured in the attacks. Meantime, Supreme Court Registrar M Fazlul Karim told the news agency in Dhaka they have already asked the home secretary and top police officials for adequate security measures for the Supreme Court and all subordinate courts at district level. Our court correspondent reports: Islami Ain Bastabayon Parishad, a militant organization, yesterday mailed three leaflets, similar to those spread on August 17, to Dhaka Bar Association (DBA), asking lawyers to help establish Islamic rules in the country. Panic gripped the lawyers and court officials on receiving the leaflets. "The leaflets were sent to the president, general secretary and office secretary by post at around 10:00am," DBA President Abdus Sabur told The Daily Star yesterday. "The leaflets were written in Bangla and Arabic." The panicked officials of the DBA immediately informed police, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and intelligence agencies. Security measures have been beefed up in and around the court precincts, and no-one without official purpose was allowed to enter the court premises. The law enforcers set up check posts at all the entrances to the court and searched all people with metal detectors. The incident halted regular activities of the court and the crowded courtrooms remained empty after 1:00pm as the news spread. http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/10/06/d5100601095.htm ..................................................................... JMB planned second attacks soon after Aug 17 blasts Star Report [From: Daily Star (Dhaka) 06 October 2005] The Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) planned another countrywide bomb attacks a few days following the August 17 serial blasts but failed due to massive crackdown on militants, an arrested JMB bomb expert told police yesterday. "As we happened to lag behind schedule, our Chandpur leaders decided to carry out the operation in the district and Monday's attacks at courts were its result," bomb expert Mahfuz Khondoker, arrested at Barura in Comilla, said. Police arrested Mahfuz, 22, acting on the confession of his associates Kalam and Sohrab Hossain alias Belal who were caught red-handed during Monday's bombing in Chandpur. Mahfuz had recruited bomber Kalam. Asked why they fixed October 3 for the attack despite heightened security arrangement, Mahfuz told police that it was an organisational decision of the JMB, said a police source. "I came to meet JMB activist Galib in Kachua thana in Chandpur through a friend in February this year and joined the party," the JMB activist said. He, however, failed to locate Galib yesterday, saying he does not know the address of Galib or if it is his real name at all. The JMB activists used to sit at motivational meetings in Kachua once or twice a month, he said. Mahfuz, whose organisational name is Faruq, confessed to having been assigned to blast a bomb in front of the Feni Press Club on August 17. "But seeing a lot of people moving around there at the scheduled time [11:00am] that day, I abandoned the bomb without switching it on and left the area," Mahfuz told police during primary interrogation yesterday. Verifying the information, Chandpur police confirmed that an unexploded bomb was recovered in front of the Feni Press Club. "Mahfuz admitted to assigning Kalam and Belal for bombing at Chandpur court but said he did not go there to blast any bomb himself," Chandpur Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Harunur Rashid told The Daily Star last night. Mahfuz, Galib, Kalam, Belal and a few other JMB men met at Rahimanagar mosque two-three days before Monday and chalked out the details of the bombing at Chandpur court, according to Mahfuz's confession. He also revealed the names of six local JMB leaders, which police did not disclose for the sake of probe. Police said they are looking for them. LAXMIPUR JMB militant Masum, caught red-handed while blasting two bombs in the district on Monday, told police that he hurled the bombs despite knowing its consequences. "We don't have faith in the laws created by humans and consider that the existing judicial system is against the law of Allah," the militant said during interrogation. Since the judges, magistrates and lawyers "act against Allah", they are kafirs (non-believers), he said, adding, "We'll go to heaven for jihad against the kafirs and killing them." He disclosed the names and addresses of some JMB leaders and activists, which police are verifying. "Most of the names appear to us as organisational names," said a police officer. KHULNA Nirala Tablig mosque in Khulna was used for training a group of extremist JMB cadres how to carry out destructive missions, including murder, reports our Khulna correspondent. The plan for the bomb attacks at 11 points in Khulna city and on Khulna University campus on August 17 was finalised at the mosque in the dead of night on August 14. JMB cadre Shahidullah, 18, now being questioned in police remand, told investigators that 15 JMB cadres, mostly aged 18-22, were present at the secret meeting. Shahidullah was one of those who knew the modus operandi of bombs, he said, adding that the mosque was used as the venue to keep away suspicion. Moulana Arif and JMB cadre Mahmud supplied the bombs at 11:00am on August 17 and sent the 11 cadres to the respective points of blasts, said Shahidullah. Briefings of JMB cadres about jihad and how to operate arms and explosives in case of necessity were given several times at night over the last one year at the Tablig mosque. "We have information that Asadullah Al Galib [chief of Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh] had visited the mosque several times since 2003," said a senior officer of Khulna Metropolitan Police. Shahidullah further said he came in touch with Islamist militants Sumon and Faisal at Khulna Baro Bazar in 2003. "Sumon and Faisal introduced me to Moulana Arif at Nriala Tablig Masjid in 2003," he said. Police said Sumon, a most-wanted JMB cadre in connection with the August 17 blasts, often visits India. According to Shahidullah, police caught him with firearms and explosives in Jhikargachha upazila of Jessore in 2000. The militant told the police that the JMB has armed wings and women suicide squads in all major cities of the country and that they are dedicated to stage an armed revolution. Meanwhile, a case was filed under the Explosive Substances Act against the three JMB activists held in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Panchagarh in connection with the August 17 serial bomb blasts. http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/10/06/d5100601095.htm .................................................................... JMB cadres hiding in Tangail shoal areas Security tightened at district jail after DIG's surprise visit A Correspondent, Tangail [From: Daily Star (Dhaka) 06 October 2005] Security has been tightened in and around Tangail district jail, court area and in strategic spots in the town fearing attack by JMB militants. Eleven JMB (Jama'atul Mujahideen, Bangladesh) militants arrested from different areas of the district are now in the jail. The measures followed Monday's surprise visit by DIG (Prison) Maj. Shamsul Haider Siddiky. He directed the jail authorities to take 'high security measures' in and around he jail, sources there said. "Systems in and outside of the jail have been tightened and check posts set up in different points on nearby streets", one source said. The 11 JMB activists were arrested from Tangail Sadar, Delduar, Ghatail, Nagarpur and Basail upazilas after the August 17 serial bomb blasts across the country. Of the detained militants, Mohammad Yameen and Delwar Hossen, arrested from Baropakhia Quami Madrasa in Delduar on August 28, gave confessional statement before a First Class Magistrate about his involvement in the August 17 blasts. Two other JMB detainees --Mainul Islam Ranga and Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan--arrested on June 13 said they experimented with bombs in a shoal in Nagarpur upazila. The sources claimed that, as law enforcers intensified their drive against JMB, over 100 of its cadres believed to be involved in the August 17 serial bomb blasts across the country, are now hiding in remote shoals in Nagarpur and in forests and hills in Ghatail, Madhupur and Shakhipur upazilas of the district. Quoting local people, they said strangers are often seen in the areas. They feel embarrassed when asked about identity, and say they have come to see relatives. Asked by newsmen, Tangail Police Superintendent Mirza Abdullah-hel-Baki said he also heard about new faces in those areas and ordered police to investigate. Police have been asked to visit the areas and prepare lists of new faces with the help of local Union Parishad leaders and members of Gram Sarkar. Suspects will be arrested, the SP added. http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/10/06/d51006070173.htm ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Fair play? Video games influencing politics. Click and talk back! http://us.click.yahoo.com/VpgUKB/pzNLAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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