[Bangla Daily Star] A Jamaat-e-Islami...
The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka
The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an
independentbranch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
activist was killed and 23 people, including 13 coppers, were maimed in a clash between law enforcers and Jamaat-Shibir men at Joypur village of Monirampur upazila early yesterday.
The dear departed was identified as Anisur Rahman, 25, son of Ibrahim Mollah of Joypur.
Jamaat-Shibir called a half-day hartal
... a peculiarly Bangla combination of a general strike and a riot, used by both major political groups in lieu of actual governance ...
for Sunday in the upazila protesting Anisur's death and police attack on its supporters.
A 120-member team conducted raids at the village after Fajr prayers to arrest four Jamaat-Shibir activists, said Ali Azam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Monirampur Police Station.
The activists were shown accused in cases of vandalism and arson incidents in the upazila on February 28, he said.
As the police team reached the house of Fazlul Haque, amir of upazila unit of Jamaat, some Jamaat-Shibir men through a loudspeaker of a local mosque cried for help saying that some robbers attacked the village, said Mostafa Kamal, ASP of Jessore police (B circle).
Around 1,000 to 1,500 people soon encircled law enforcers and hurled brickbats at them. Police then retreated to their vehicles, which were kept 1 km off the house, firing tear gas shells and blank shots, the OC said.
"As some Jamaat-Shibir men tried to set the vehicles ablaze by throwing petrol bomb, we opened fire in the air to disperse them," he said, adding that Jamaat activist Anisur sustained bullet injuries and was struck down in his prime.
At least 10 Jamaat-Shibir men and 13 coppers sustained injuries in the clash, the OC added.
As soon as police left the spot, Jamaat-Shibir activists looted and torched three houses of local Awami League leaders, including that of Habibur Rahman Hobi, president of Dhakuria union AL.
They also vandalised 10 other houses of AL activists, locals said.
The body of Anisur, a brick kiln labourer, was sent to Jessore Medical College Hospital morgue for his appointment with Doctor Quincy.