The BNP government’s policy of overt denial of the rise of Islamist extremists in the country have been among the most crucial factors that have led to the rise of the militants, say political analysts. The ‘soft’ attitude of the four-party government which includes two Islamist parties — the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Islami Okiya Jote — toward the militant Islamist groups and their violent actions have helped them spread their wings all over the country. They have been able to establish a very strong base and climbed to the present state stepping on the shoulders of the two major political parties, the BNP and the Awami League. But it is the four years of the ruling BNP-led alliance government that provided the militants with access to funds and facilities and created the most congenial atmosphere for them to flourish.Before the notorious Bangla Bhai — the self styled leader of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh — and his equipped cadre swooped on the alleged outlaws in the north in April last year, several incidents took place in the country that had demanded action by the government, but went ignored. Dozens of militants arrested for their direct and indirect links with militancy were released due to the soft attitude of the government, giving them a feeling of impunity. On August 14, 2003 the police arrested 19 militants from Khetlal in Jaipurhat after a fierce gunfight with Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh cadres who attacked the policemen when they raided their den. The cadres reportedly led by Bangla Bhai, snatched arms and wireless sets from police and later police chargesheeted 42 persons and even nabbed 32 of them. But all were released on bail.
The same year, police arrested seven Jamaatul Mujahedin activists from Kalai, Jaipurhat on April 25 under Section 54. All were granted bail after police submitted the final report of the case. Even major figures like Bangla Bhai could have been apprehended with firearms, bombs and explosives, and training manuals, but were able to conveniently slip through the security apparatus. Despite enough proof to charge them under sections that would have ensured conviction, most of the men were arrested under Section 54 of the CrPC to weaken the cases against them and to create grounds for their release. Many names, like that of Bangla Bhai, were dropped from case documents for reasons unknown, and the cases were quashed at the instruction of powerful quarters in the government.
Before and after Bangla Bhai began an open operation in the name of cleansing outlaws in northern districts on April 1 2004, a dozen intelligence reports on Islamist outfits, submitted to the government pointing at the alarming rise. Although Bangla Bhai subjected his victims to inhuman torture and killed three dozens and maimed hundred of others, nothing was done to capture him because of his patrons in the ruling alliance. As the dreadful operations continued for months drawing widespread criticism at home and abroad, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia herself intervened firmly, ordering the security forces to arrest Bangla Bhai. But the order went in vain as his patrons continued to protect him from behind the scenes.
A former top official of the home ministry was among those whose blessings and protection prevented any action against the militants. But it was in August 17 that Islamic militants really showed their destructive capability when they detonated 500 small bombs all around the country within half an hour. They struck again on October 3, bombing courthouses in three districts, forcing the government to go for action against them. But the government has been able to arrest a handful of top militants with all the kingpins remaining outside of the police dragnet. The government also announced Tk 50 lakh bounty for JMB chief Abdur Rahman and his close aide Bangla Bhai, but they continue to elude arrest.