United News of Bangladesh

Thousands of leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam gathered at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka to attend their pre-announced grand rally, to press home their five-point demand including withdrawal of cases filed against their leaders and activists immediately Excavating canals one of BNP’s political pillars: Amir Khosru The rally began around 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 1pm, according to organisers. Participants from various parts of the country started arriving at the venue from around 5 am, and the ground was filled with several thousand people within two hours. According to the sources, there are approximately 300 cases pending against its leaders. The other key demands include justice for the killings during the Shapla Chattar crackdown on May 5, 2013, the deaths during protests against the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Dhaka in March, 2021 and the killings in July–August 2024. Besides, they demanded cancellation of the proposed commission on women’s rights reform and an end to what they describe as mass killings and persecution of Muslims in Palestine and India. Earlier, the Hefazat activists brought out a procession in the Baitul Mukarram area of the capital and chanted various slogans. They also urged people to join the program in support of Islam and justice. Law enforcement agencies have taken special measures to ensure security surrounding the event. Members of various security forces including plainclothes and uniformed police have been stationed at key points across the city since early morning.

The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Mamunul Haque, former joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, in five separate cases over clash with police and vandalism filed with Paltan and Hathazari Police Stations. The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order after separate petitions were filed by Mamunul’s counsel Advocate Helal Uddin Molla in four cases. All the cases were filed in 2021. Advocate Helal said 41 cases were filed against the former Hefajat leader. Mamunul earlier secured bail in 12 cases. Of the 41 cases—four were filed at Motijheel Police Station, nine with Paltan Police, three with Sonargaon police, three with Siddhirganj police, eight with Hathazari Model police, one each with Khulna Sonadanga police, Cumilla Chandina Police, Bhatara police and Mohammadpur police, five with Darus Salam Police and three with Mirpur Model Police. Also read: Charges against Hefazat’s Mamunul in explosive case on Oct 10 Besides, two more cases were filed at Dhaka Special Tribunal. He was arrested from Mohammadpur Jamia Rahmania Arabia Madrasha on April 18, 2021 and since then he is in jail.  

Following the death of the 68-year-old incumbent Ameer Allama Junaid Babunagri, Hefazat-e-Islam has appointed his uncle and former chief advisor Maulana Muhibullah Babunagri as the acting Ameer. The decision to delegate the responsibility came at a meeting of the Shura (consultation) committee of the organisation Thursday, said Maulana Mir Edris, organisational secretary of Hefazat. Secretary General of Hefazat, Allama Nurul Islam made the announcement just before the Namaz-e-Janaza of Junaid Babunagri at 11.20 pm Thursday at Hathazari Madrasa field in Chattogram, he said. Also read: Hefazat Ameer Junaid Babunagri passes away Junaid Babunagri was buried at Hathazari Madrasa graveyard besides the grave of the organisation's first Ameer Allama Shafi. Junaid Babunagri died Thursday noon at a hospital in Chattogram after he suffered a stroke at the Madrasa. Babunagari had been suffering from different age-related complications, including kidney problems and diabetes. He took the reins of Hefazat-e-Islam in November 2020 after the death of Allama Shafi, the first Ameer and supreme leader of the organization in September 2020. Also read: Hefazat forms new committee, drops disputed leaders

The High Court on Tuesday granted bail to three activists of Hefazat-e-Islam in a case filed with Patiya Police Station of Chattogram for attack on police station and assaulting on-duty policemen on March 26. The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan passed the order after hearing a petition. Those who secured  bail are  Maulana Mufti Ariful Islam, Imtiaz Hossain and Belal Uddin. Read: N’ganj Factory fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, two sons granted bail On March 26, some Hefazat men brought out a procession and carried out attack on Patiya Police Station. On March 30, Borhanuddin, officer-in-charge of Patiya Police Station filed a case against 700 activists of Hefazat—e-Islam. Police on April 10 arrested the three accused. Read: Thakurgaon journalist arrested under DSA gets bail Beside, the HC also granted bail to another Hefazat man identified as Manir Sardar of Mollarhat upazila in Bagerhat district in a case filed with Mollarhat Police Station. On April 22, police arrested Manir Sardar.

Police have arrested Nasir Uddin Munir, former vice chairman of Hathazari Upazila Parishad and joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam's dissolved committee, in connection with a case over Hathazari violence. He was arrested from Hathazari Sadar on Monday. Chittagong District Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Islam said Nasir Uddin Munir was arrested from Hathazari around 3.15 pm. There were several cases against Nasir Uddin Munir including the Hefazat violence in Hathazari last March. READ: Hefazat leader Azharul arrested in Dhaka He had been absconding since the incident. District Detective Police Inspector Keshab Kumar Barua said Nasir Uddin Munir was arrested in connection with the Hefazat violence. He would be sent to court on Tuesday and would ask for remand. It was learned that Nasir was accused as the instigator of the sabotage in Hathazari. He is also accused in former Hefazat Amir Ahmed Shafi murder case, investigated by PBI. On March 25, Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and activists clashed with police in Chattogram's Hathazari following the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During that time, police station, upazila rest house, land office and officials' vehicles were vandalized. Four Hefazat workers were killed and more than a hundred were injured in the police firing. READ: Hefazat forms new committee, drops disputed leaders On March 30, six cases were filed with thousands of unidentified accused in connection to the sabotage.

Embattled Hefazat-e-Islam on Monday announced a 33-member new full-fledged committee with Junayed Babunagari as its ameer and dropping controversial leader Mamunul Haque. Hefazat leader Nurul Islam has been declared the general secretary of the committee. Nurul Islam Jihadi, central committee leader of Hefazat-e-Islam announced names of the new committee at a press briefing held at Jamia Islamia Makhjanul Madrasha in city’s Khilgaon intersection. Joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam Mamunul Haq and Organising secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi and other controversial leaders have failed to make to the committee. Hazrat Maulana Ataullah Hafezi has been made the Nayeb-e-Ameer of the committee and Hazrat Maulana Sajedur Rahman has been made the joint secretary general. Besides, Hazrat Maulana Mir Idris has been made the organising secretary while Hazrat Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani made the publicity secretary of the committee. Also read: Hefazat central committee dissolved Meanwhile, the Hefazat-e-Islam also announced its 16-member advisory committee making Junayed Babunagari as its chief. It also announced a nine-member Central Khas Committee which has been considered as ‘Majlish e-Sura’ of the party. On April 25, Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari  dissolved the organisation's central committee amid its controversial role in the vandalism launched during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in late March. Also read: Hefazat forms five-member convening committee Speaking in a video message from Chattogram's Hathazari Madrasa, Hefazat's spiritual headquarters, Babunagari at that time said: "Considering the overall situation of the country, the central committee has been dissolved following the advice of some of its key members." Many top Hefazat leaders have been arrested so far over the protests and violence orchestrated by the organisation's supporters and activists across the country against Modi's Bangladesh visit. At least 77 cases have been filed against Hefazat leaders and activists from across the country over clashes and vandalism. More than 69,000 people have been accused in the incidents. Babungari has announced the dissolution of the Qawmi madrasa-based organisation's central committee when its leaders, activists and supporters are being arrested in different places of the country including Dhaka every day. On June 5, a Narayanganj court sent Mamunul Haque, former joint secretary general of Hefajat-e-Islam, to Kashimpur Central Jail on completion of his 18-day remand in six separate cases. On April 18, a joint team of Tejgaon Division police and DMP's Detective Branch arrested Mamunul from Jamia Rahmania Arabia Madrasah in Mohammadpur. Mamunul, who has been in the limelight due to some recent controversies, was held with a woman he claimed to be his second wife from a resort in Sonargaon on April 3. Later, Hefazat leaders claimed that Mamunul went to the resort with his “second wife” where locals confined and harassed him before calling in the police.

Enamul Hasan Faruki, the personal secretary to former Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junaid Babunagri, was arrested by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Friday. Chattogram RAB-7 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mashiur Rahman said Faruki was arrested from Fatehabad of Chattogram’s Hathazari at night. He was arrested over the violence in Hathazari. Faruki was handed over to Hathazari police, the RAB officer added. Hathazari Police said Faruki used to send all statements and press releases of Hefazat-e-Islam on behalf of Babungari. Faruki is accused in the murder case of former Hefazat chief Shah Ahmad Shafi. Another case accuses him of vandalism and arson at Hathazari Police Station building and the upazila land office.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an investigation against over 50 Hefazat-e-Islam leaders including Junaid Babungari and Mamunul Haque on charges of embezzling funds and corruption. They have allegedly embezzled a huge sum of money from the organisation's funds, various madrassas, orphanages, Islamic institutions and foreign aid for religious purposes. The decision to investigate was taken by the commission after the detectives of Bangladesh Bank and the ACC found truth in the allegation. ACC sources said that a team of eight members has been formed, led by Akhtar Hossain Azad.

Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mufti Farooq Ahmed was arrested Tuesday evening in a case filed over attack and vandalism in Jamserpur and Dhalipara village in Rampasha union of Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila during the group's strike. He was arrested from Bishwanath-Osmaninagar upazila border area during a police raid led by Bishwanath Police Inspector Roma Prasad Chakraborty, Sub-Inspector Nur Hossain and Aftabuzzaman. Also read: Hefazat leader Maulana Osmani held He had been absconding since a case was filed regarding the sabotage during Hefazat-e-Islam strike on March 28 in Bishwanath. On March 29, Nazmul Islam Shipu of Dhalipara village filed the case against 312 people, naming 62 of them. Also read: B’baria violence: Hefazat leader Abdur Rahim Kasemi held Farooq Ahmed was the main accused in the case.

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday said BNP is involved in all the direct and indirect attempts to destabilize the country. He made the remarks at a regular briefing at his official residence this morning. Obaidul Quader said that the BNP was directly and indirectly involved in the terrorism and violence that Hefazat carried out in different parts of the country on March 26 with the aim of destabilizing the country. He said the BNP had earlier indirectly helped Hefazat create terrorism with the aim of destabilizing the country even on the issue of sculpture. He also said that the BNP secretary general is not giving any explanation of the debate on the birthday of Khaleda Zia but it is criticising the government on one issue every day. The general secretary of Awami League also said that after coming to power in 2001, the BNP government carried out a steamroller of torture on the people of the country. It has killed 21,000 Awami League leaders and workers. Also read: Obaidul Quader: Covid vaccines to be collected, no matter what Obaidul Quader said the BNP had made the country a valley of death with the blood of thousands of Awami League leaders and activists during the Jamaat-e-Islami government's rule, adding that they had introduced disappearance, murder, rape and torture. Reminding the BNP leaders that BNP has forgotten that hundreds of women including Mahima, Rahima and Purnima were raped, he said that the persecution of the minority community also defeated the persecution of the Pak aggressors in 1971.