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| Bangladesh |
| JMB deserters to get security |
| 2010-02-06 |
| [Bangla Daily Star] The government plans to ensure security for the JMB operatives who are deserting the militant outfit and trying to return to normal life. The authorities have taken the matter seriously after the recent murder of Rashidul Islam, former JMB full-timer and student of Darul Ihsan University. On Monday morning, three men waylaid Rashidul in Uttara section-6 and knifed him to death. Rashidul's family and police said he was murdered for leaving Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder said they are considering giving protection to those who sincerely try to work a way out of militancy. "We'll soon hold a meeting with all concerned to discuss ways to protect those who would inform police that they are trying to quit JMB, but [they] fear reprisals," he told The Daily Star. Jamal, another JMB full-timer and Rashidul's friend, who claims to have left the outfit in 2003, has sought shelter from the police as he fears same fate as his friend's. "Around a dozen former JMB men who know the ins and outs of the banned organisation are on its hit list," Jamal said on Tuesday. He was talking to reporters while under custody of Uttara police. Hassan Mahmood Khandkar, director general of Rapid Action Battalion, yesterday said, "I can say, on the basis of our intelligence, that many JMB operatives are willing to quit the militant group." The law enforcement and intelligence agencies will ensure that former JMB men get security like all other citizens if they part company with the militant organisation, added the Rab chief. He, however, stressed the need for a campaign to encourage people to support the youths determined to break free from the militant web they are ensnared in. Meanwhile, Uttara police on Wednesday night showed Jamal and Mizanur Rahman, another friend of Rashidul, arrested in Rashidul murder case. They suspect the two might have a hand in the killing. On Thursday, police produced Jamal and Mizan before a Dhaka court, seeking to have them placed on a seven-day remand each. But the court granted four days'. Kazi Nisharul Arif, deputy commissioner of DMP Uttara zone, said they have shown the two arrested as they gave contradictory statements. He said Jamal claims he deserted JMB in 2003, but a Special Branch report shows that he was involved in JMB till as late as 2005. Mizan was with Rashidul when the latter was killed. |
| Posted by:Fred |