Hefazat-e-Islam
Hefazat leader Habibullah Kashemi held in city
Police on Wednesday arrested Hefazat-e-Islam leader Md. Mufti Habibullah Mahmud Kashemi from the capital’s Vatara area in a case over 2013 Shapla Chattar violence.
Md. Azharul Islam Mukul, chief of Demra zonal team, conducted a drive around 5:20 pm and arrested him, said Md A Ahad, DC, Detective Branch, Wari.
Many Hefazat leaders have been arrested in the country recently following the vandalism and arson attack carried out by its activists across the country protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marking the celebration of golden jubilee of the country’s independence last month.
In Chattogram students of Hathazari Madrasa carried out infernal violence for two days, on March 26 and March 27.
Also read: Intelligence agencies to identify Hefazat financers: Minister
They set fire to the car of the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Hathazari that worth Tk. 55 lac. All documents from the AC land office were burned.
Government rest houses and three motorcycles were set on fire.
On March 27 in Brahmanbaria, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.
Also read: Hefazat central committee dissolved
They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
The next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Also Read: 2 more top Hefazat leaders held
Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalised several private and government establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said, "As per our investigation, Hefazat-e-Islam carried out violence with an aim to repeat the incident of Shapla Chattar it unleashed in 2013."
Intelligence agencies to identify Hefazat financers: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said intelligence agencies are trying to identify the financers of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
“Intelligence agencies are working to identify those who provide financial support to Hefazat. We’ve got some information about them, but we don't want to disclose that now. We’ll inform you once the investigation is over,” the Home Minister said while talking to reporters at his Dhanmondi residence on Wednesday.
The Home Minister said: “Everything – where’s the money coming from and how much is coming to whose account -- will be dug out through the investigation.”
Also read: People involved with Hefazat violence to be punished: Home Minister
The Home Minister went on saying, "As per our investigation, Hefazat-e-Islam carried out violence with an aim to repeat the incident of Shapla Chattar it unleashed in 2013."
“They certainly had a political ambition. Our law enforcement agencies are investigating various secret activities of the organisation,” Asaduzzaman Khan said.
He said that the constitution of Hefazat-e-Islam clearly states that they will not be involved in any political issue and remain above politics. “But we’ve noticed that identified terrorists and militants have become involved in politics and creating a volatile situation in the country.”
Asked about Hefazat Ameer Babunagari, who was sued but no action has been taken yet against him, the minister said, “There was a case filed against Babunagari in 2013. He was arrested at that time and later he was released on bail. I can share with you after having an idea about the status of the case.”
Also read: Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
The Home Minister said legal action would be taken against those who will commit any crime.
313 identified for financing Hefazat
Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has identified at least 313 individuals financing Hefazat-e-Islam.
Additional Commissioner (DB), AKM Hafiz Akhteer revealed the matter to the press in a briefing at the DB Headquarters.
He said, "We have identified 313 people who provided funds to Hefazat so far."
The DB official also said that a few Hefazat leaders, including Mamunul Haque and Junaid Al Habib, met at the wedding of the son of Junaid Babunagari, former Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam, and planned to remove Shah Ahmad Shafi last year.
Later they drove away leaders loyal to Shafi after creating chaos and anarchy at Hathazari Madrasa as per the plan, he said.
Hafiz also added that they have traced over Tk 6 crore transactions in different bank accounts of Mamunul.
He said that police derived all this information from the recently arrested top leaders of Hefazat.
More than a dozen top Hefazat leaders of the recently dissolved committee were arrested in cases filed over violence in 2013 and earlier this year.
B’baria mayhem: 6 more Hefazat men held
Six more people have been arrested in the past 24 hours in connection with last month's mayhem by Hefazat-e-Islam supporters in Brahmanbaria, police said on Tuesday.
The arrests were made from different parts of Brahmanbaria after identifying the accused from video footage and images taken during the violence, the district police said.
Two of the six arrested have been identified as Sadekpr Union Chartra Olama Oikko Parishad’s secretary Kwari Md Mojammel Haque and Ashuganj upajila Hefazat-e-Islam and Imam Parishad secretary Maulana Mufti Obaydullah.
Also read: People involved with Hefazat violence to be punished: Home Minister
So far, 55 cases have been filed and 375 people nabbed over the rampage, the district police said in a release.
On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
The next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Also read: Brahmanbaria mayhem: Hefazat leader among 10 arrested
Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalised several private and government establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.
Didn’t do anything wrong: Mamunul tells court
Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mamunul Haque told a Dhaka court on Monday that he had gone to Baitul Mukarram on March 26 at the request of a police Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
“On that day, I led the Jum’a prayer at Banglabazar mosque and learned that some worshippers had gathered at the Baitul Mukarram,” Mamunul said.
“I went there at the request of a DIG and delivered a speech. I didn’t do anything wrong. We won’t go anywhere in the future at the request of police,” he added.
The state counsel said Mamunul can’t issue such statement but the court permitted him to continue.
Mamunul said the court could check his mobile call records to verify his claim.
His lawyer said incorrect information about him was mentioned in the case filed at Paltan Police Station.
Also read: Mamunul placed on 7-day fresh remand
Later, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sadbir Yasir Ahsan Chowdhury placed Mamunul on seven-day remand in two cases.
Inspector Moniruzzaman sought the court’s permission to show the Hefazat leader arrested in a 2013 case filed at Motijheel Police Station and 10 days to interrogate him. On the other hand, Inspector Kamrul Islam sought the court’s permission to show Mamunul arrested in a case filed with Paltan police over the March 26 violence at Baitul Mukarram.
The court also heard the bail plea of the Hefazat leader who was produced before the court after the completion of his seven-day remand in a vandalism case filed with Mohammadpur police in 2020.
After hearing, the court granted police four days to interrogate Mamunul in the Paltan case and three days in the Motijheel case.
On April 18 this year, a joint team of Tejgaon Division police and DMP's Detective Branch arrested Mamunul from Jamia Rahmania Arabia Madrasah in Mohammadpur.
Also read: Mamunul controversy: Jharna's father now in police custody
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.
Hathazari violence: Over 3000 accused in 3 cases, including Babunagari
Police have filed three cases accusing 148 people including Hefazat-e-Islam amir Allama Junaid Babungari, BNP leader Mir Helal and upazila Jamaat amir in connection to the sabotage and violence in Chattogram's Hathazari.
In addition, 3000 unidentified persons have been accused in these cases.
The cases were filed at Hathazari Police Station on Thursday (April 22) in connection with vandalism, arson and road blockade on March 26 and 27.
Police informed this to the media on Monday.
Also read: Brahmanbaria mayhem: Hefazat leader among 10 arrested
Hathazari Police Station inspector Touhidul Karim said, "Three cases have been filed in connection with the March 26 and 27 violence."
All the documents of the case have been sent to the court, legal action is being taken against the accused, he added.
Chattogram District Special Branch (DSB) constable Solomon, Hathazari police inspector Amir Hossain and SI Harunur Rashid filed the cases.
According to the statement of the cases, the strike called by Hefazat-e-Islam caused unrest in Hathazari Sadar and Ichapur Bazar by setting fire to cars and setting walls in the streets.
On March 26-27, the accused attacked the police, vandalized police stations and land offices and set those on fire.
Also read: Hefazat forms five-member convening committee
Junaid Babunagari has been accused in two cases and BNP executive committee member Mir Helal Uddin in another.
According to local administration, the students of Hathazari Madrasa carried out infernal violence for two days, on March 26 and March 27.
They set fire to the car of the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Hathazari that worth Tk. 55 lac. All documents from the AC land office were burned.
All the furniture was destroyed.
Government rest houses and three motorcycles were set on fire.
Also read: BNP-Jamaat behind recent Hefazat violence: Minister
The physical infrastructural damage of Tk. 70 lac was caused during the attack in upazila land office.
Govt behind crisis in Hefazat: BNP
In the wake of dissolution of the central committee of Hefazat-e-Islam, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government is taking advantage by creating a 'crisis' in the Qawmi-madrasa-based Islamist organisation.
"As a political party, we think the government has created a crisis in Hefazat and it’s now taking advantage of it,” he said.
Also read:Govt made Bangladesh a 'hell': Fakhrul
The BNP secretary general came up with the remark while speaking at a virtual press conference.
Stating that their party has no relation with Hefazat, Fakhrul said BNP believes in going to power in a peaceful manner through a credible election.
He alleged that the government is trying to involve BNP leaders in various incidents of Hefazat to make political gains.
The BNP leader also accused the government of launching a crackdown in the name of lockdown to suppress its opponents. “Many cases were filed against our leaders and workers, though BNP has no involvement in the incidents in any way.”
He said their party registered its protest against the violence at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram and the killing of people on Independence Day. “It’s our fundamental right. But ministers Obaidul Quader and Hasan Mahmud are spreading propaganda involving our party with Hefazat.”
Also read:Fakhrul regrets BNP's failure to revitalise organisations
Fakhrul said their party has no link with the violent incidents that happened in Dhaka, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, “The government’s efforts to implicate us and our top leaders in such incidents are not acceptable in any way.”
He said the government has long been trying to eliminate BNP by carrying out repressive acts and a ‘false’ campaign against the party as they know this party is the only opponent which can return to power by organising people through an election.
On Sunday night, Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced the dissolution of the 249-member central committee of the organisation
Later, a five-member convening committee of Hefazat was announced at midnight.
Hefazat forms five-member convening committee
Hefazat-e-Islam has formed a five-member convening committee within two hours of the dissolution of its central committee.
The committee was formed early Monday after the embattled Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced to dissolve its central committee which was formed four months ago following the death of long-time leader Allema Ahmed Shafi.
Chief advisor of the convening committee is Allama Muhibullah Babunagri, Amir Junayed Babunagari and its secretary general Allama Nurul Islam. Two other members of the new committees are—Salauddin Nanupuri and Prof Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury.
Enamul Hasan Faruki, personal assistant to the former amir, confirmed the matter.
The convening committee will soon announce its full committee, he added.
Earlier on Sunday night, Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced the dissolution of the organisation's central committee.
Speaking in a video message from Chattogram's Hathazari Madrasa, Hefazat's spiritual headquarters, Babunagari said, "Considering the overall situation of the country, the central committee has been dissolved following the advice of some of its key members."
Also read: Hefazat central committee dissolved
The video was posted on Babunagari's (unverified) Facebook page around 11pm. It quickly spread through various pages affiliated with the conservative Islamic movement, and has met with no objection.
The short video message lasted less than 90 seconds, and Babunagari, who rose to the post following the death of long-time leader Allema Ahmed Shafi last September, could be heard being prompted by someone off camera throughout.
Nineteen 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 Indian Prime Minister Narendra 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 of the incidents.
Also Read: Hefazat leader Qurban Ali Kasemi arrested in Dhaka
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.
Earlier in the day, the government-recognised board Al-Hayatul Ulaya Lil-Jami'atil Qawmia said students and teachers of Qawmi madrasas will remain out of political activities.
The board under which students sit for Dawra-e-Hadith – Qawmi madrasas' highest level of the exam – made the decision at a meeting in the capital's Jatrabari.
On April 19, Babungari asked for the unconditional release of all "Ulema-Mashaikh" and Hefazat leaders, including the party's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque and Organising Secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi in another video message.
The Hefazat chief said they had no programme either at Hathazari or at Brahmanbaria against Modi's visit on March 26.
Although there is no proof that Hefazat has any links to political parties, the organisation's leaders; students and Islamic scholars are being arrested indiscriminately, Babunagari said.
"What kind of oppression is this? A country cannot be run in this way," he added.
"Hefazat does not bring any political party to power or force anyone to step down. We aim to establish the agenda of Muhammad (PBUH)," he said.
Although Hefazat emerged as a non-political organisation in 2010, it turned into a political one after the death of its former amir Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi. Gradually, leaders of different political parties joined the Hefazat committee.
Hefazat central committee dissolved
Embattled Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari has announced the dissolution of the organisation's central committee.
Speaking in a video message from Chattogram's Hathazari Madrasa, Hefazat's spiritual headquarters, Babunagari said: "Considering the overall situation of the country, the central committee has been dissolved following the advice of some of its key members."
The video was posted on Babunagari's (unverified ) Facebook page around 11pm on Sunday night. It quickly spread through various pages affiliated with the conservative Islamic movement, and has met with no objection.
However, the Hefazat amir said the organisation would again be active through an interim committee convened for the purpose.
The short video message lasted less than 90 seconds, and Babunagari, who rose to the post following the death of long-time leader Allema Ahmed Shafi last September, could be heard being prompted by someone off camera throughout.
Nineteen 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 Indian Prime Minister Narendra 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.
Earlier in the day, the government-recognised board Al-Hayatul Ulaya Lil-Jami'atil Qawmia said students and teachers of Qawmi madrasas will remain out of political activities.
The board under which students sit for Dawra-e-Hadith – Qawmi madrasas' highest level of the exam – made the decision at a meeting in the capital's Jatrabari.
On April 19, Babungari asked for the unconditional release of all "Ulema-Mashaikh" and Hefazat leaders, including the party's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque and Organising Secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi in another video message.
The Hefazat chief said they had no programme either at Hathazari or at Brahmanbaria against Modi's visit on March 26.
Although there is no proof that Hefazat has any links to political parties, the organisation's leaders; students and Islamic scholars are being arrested indiscriminately, Babunagari said.
"What kind of oppression is this? A country cannot be run in this way," he added.
"Hefazat does not bring any political party to power or force anyone to step down. We aim to establish the agenda of Muhammad (PBUH)," he said.
Although Hefazat emerged as a non-political organisation in 2010, it turned into a political one after the death of Ahmad Shafi. Gradually, leaders of different political parties joined the Hefazat committee.
Mamunul controversy: Jharna's father now in police custody
Waliyar Rahman, father of Hefazat-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque's "second wife" Jannat e Jharna, has been taken into police custody for interrogation.
Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police left for Dhaka from Faridpur's Alfadanga Police Station with Waliyar on Sunday at around 11:30am.
Waliyar is a freedom fighter and was the president of ward 4 of Gopalpur Union Awami League in Alfadanga upazila. On 21 April, he was suspended from his post.
Also read: AL leaders receiving death threats for showcausing Mamunul's 'father in law'
Alfadanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Wahiduzzaman said, "Waliyar was not detained or arrested, DB police will talk to him for the sake of an investigation."
Waliyar's wife Shirin Begum said the OC and other policemen came at night and took him away, but they did not say why.
Earlier, local Awami League leaders alleged that they had received death threats for issuing a showcause notice to Waliyar.
Also Read: Hefazat leader Mamunul's '2nd wife' goes missing; GD filed
Monayem Khan, Faridpur's Alfadanga upazila Gopalpur union Awami League president, filed a general diary (GD) with the police station in this regard.
According to the GD, Monayem received death threats from three different phone numbers on April 13 evening, for issuing the showcause notice.
Md Farid Uddin, general secretary of the same Awami League unit, also reportedly received death threats the same evening from a number where the caller identified himself as Mamunul.
On April 12, the local Awami League issued a showcause notice to freedom fighter Waliyar. The notice was sent to him through a letter signed by Monayem and Farid over his alleged link with Hefazat.
Also Read: Woman who was with Hefazat leader Mamunul is not his wife
Waliyar never informed the party leaders about his family's involvement with Hefazat; so, it is a risk that the organisational work plan of Awami League may be leaked through him, the letter said.
A satisfactory reply within the seven working days was also sought in the notice, but Waliyar did not respond to it.
On April 3, Mamunul Haque was found along with a woman, at a resort in Narayanganj's Sonargaon, whom he claimed to be his "second wife."