Hefazat-e-Islam
Journalist assaulted, house ransacked ‘for not apologising to Mamunul’
A local journalist has been assaulted by some Hefazat e Islam supporters ‘for not apologising’ to Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mamunul Haque.
Victim Habibur Rahman works as Sonargaon correspondent for a private television channel who covered the Saturday’s incident in Sonargaon.
Habibur was admitted for treatment at Sonargaon Upazila Health Complex.
Also read: Hefazat's Mamunul detained with woman from resort
On Saturday, Hefazat’s general joint secretary Mamunul Haque was confined by the locals to a resort room at Sonargaon with a woman he claimed to be his second wife.
Meanwhile, some local journalists shared Facebook lives from the scene interviewing Mamunul Hauque.
An accusation was raised by the Hefazat supporters that journalist Habibur harassed Mamunul.
As the accusation got viral in social media, Hefazat workers threatened to beat him.
On Monday Habibur was visiting his Vatir chor village home in Sonmandi union where local Hefazat men attacked him.
Habibur’s brother Mofajjol Hossain said Hefazat’s supporters attacked their house at night and dragged Habibur out of his home.
They asked Habibur to apologize to Mamunul Haque through a video on social media but he refused, said Mofajjol.
The recorded video shows Hefazat's men assaulting Habibur and asking him to apologize.
Later police came and rescued Habibur.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
Sonargaon police station’s Officer-in-Charge Hafizur Rahman said Hafazat’s men attacked journalist Habibur and he filed a complaint in this connection on Tuesday.
The case will be taken after consulting with the higher authority, OC Hafizur said.
Will take action against those involved in vandalism: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said punitive legal measures will be taken against those involved in destructive activities using the name of Islam."People won’t accept any anti-Islamic activities in the name of religion. Defamation of Islam for a few people won’t be tolerated. I’ll tell the people of the country to have patience, everyone has to step forward with patience," she said while delivering her winding up speech of the 12th session of the 11th Parliament.Talking about recent activities, vandalism and mayhem of Hefazat-e-Islam, she said that they are destroying the holy religion completely through their destructive and anti-social activities."Many people lost their lives due to their activities. Even on March 26 many people lost their lives [and] for these, they (Hefazat) are solely responsible," she said.Sheikh Hasina alleged that BNP and Jamaat are there behind Hefazat. "Hefazat is not alone, BNP and Jamaat are with them," she said.
Also read: Perform duties properly to enforce Corona directives: PM
‘Which religion do they believe in?’
Talking about the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence, she said that many foreign guests came to join the that occasion, but Hefazat declared that they would not allow Narendra Modi to come."Why? This is my question. Today Hefazat is declaring their programmes. Don’t they go to Deoband (India) for higher studies on Islam. After such incident how they will go to Deoband (India) for higher studies?" she said.Showing some pictures of March 26 Hefazat incidents, she said that a rumour was spread by Hefazat that one person was killed in Baitul Mukarram, then from March 26-31, they unleashed destructive activities across the country.BNP-Jamaat's statement in favour of Hefazat on March 27 and 28 were part of anti-state conspiracy. On March 28, Hefazat called countrywide hartal. "On that day, they ransacked and torched AL office, houses of AL activists and various transports," she said.The Prime Minister asked which religion they believe in as they burnt the Holy Quran.
‘Law will take own course’
She asked the Hefazat leaders and activists why they set afire AL and BCL offices and their party leaders houses. "They’re playing with fire, fire can spread from one house to another house, don’t they take this into consideration?" she said adding that people will not tolerate these.Regarding the utmost patience of police and other law enforcement agencies during the mayhem, she said that the government showed its highest patience to avert bigger confrontation as it wanted to celebrate the Golden Jubilee programme properly."Law will take its own course," she said.
Woman who was with Hefazat leader Mamunul is not his wife: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that the woman who was with Hefazat Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque in a Sonargaon resort is not his wife.
The Minister said this while giving a statement under Section 300 in Parliament on Hefazat’s mayhem in Hathhazari, Brahmanbaria and Sonargaon.
He said that Mamunul was staying at a resort in Sonargaon upazila with a woman. "She is not his wife, I will let you know more information after knowing," he said.
Also read: Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
The Minister said that he does not know why the attack was carried out on the resort by the Hefazat men after broadcasting the incident in the television channels.
"There were some foreigners in the resort, police and BGB men rescued them," he said.
Regarding the Hefazat mayhem in different areas of the country recently, the Home Minister said that definitely there is an objective behind these.
"We are taking steps as per law, no one will be spared," he said.
Hefazat activists' show of force frees leader Mamunul from police custody
Supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque went on the rampage in Narayanganj and vandalised a resort in Sonargaon where he was detained with a woman he claimed as his second wife.
Mahanagar Hefazat’s secretary Ferdausur Rahman said Mamunul went to the resort with his second wife where the local Chatra League and Jubo League leaders confined and harassed him, before calling in the police on Saturday.
The woman detained with him is his second wife as claimed by Mamunul Haque, said Ferdausur Rahman.
Narayanganj’s Hefazat’s leaders are looking into the matter visiting the scene, he said.
Also read: Hefazat's Mamunul detained with woman from resort
Later, in the evening madrasa teachers and students gathered in front of the resort and started chanting slogans for freeing Mamunul Haque.
At one point they broke down the main gate of the resort and started a massive rampage entering the property.
As the situation was getting out of hand, police released Mamunul Haque to the demonstrating madrasa folks.
Yet they continued the vandalism at the resort until police released Mamunul Hauque’s wife too around 8 pm.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
The resort authority claimed they incurred a crore worth of losses in the destruction.
Mamunul Hauque calmed down the agitated demonstrators by declaring legal actions against the involved AL and Jubo League leaders and left the scene with his wife.
The saga of destruction continued yet after as the protestors blocked Dhaka-Chittagong highway vandalized and set fire to local AL office and Jubo League Leader’s vehicle.
Narayanganj Police Superintendent Md Jayedul Haque said, police reached the scene being informed of locals confining Maulana Mamunul Haque with a woman in the room of that resort.
Also read: Hefazat attack instigators won’t be spread: IGP
As Mamunul Haque claimed the woman was his wife, police safely evacuated him from the resort and kept them under custody.
Sonargaon police station’s inspector (Investigation), Tobidur Rahman at evening confirmed Mamunul Haque being safe in Police’s custody. .
Meanwhile Maulana Mamunul Haque threatened to file case against the journalists who were trying to take photograph and video footage of him.
Hefazat's Mamunul detained with woman from resort
Hefazat-e-Islam’s Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque, who has been the loudest voice in the organisation in a number of recent controversies, has been detained with a woman he claims as his second wife from a resort in Sonargaon.
Mahanagar Hefazat’s secretary said Mamunul went to the resort with his second wife where the locals confined and harassed him, before calling in the police on Saturday.
Maulana Ferdausur Rahman, the Mahanagar secretary, confirmed to UNB that Mamumunul Haque is in police custody as of Saturday evening.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
The woman detained with him is his second wife as claimed by Mamunul Haque, said Ferdausur Rahman.
Narayanganj’s Hefazat’s leaders are looking into the matter visiting the scene, he said.
Also read: Hefazat attack instigators won’t be spread: IGP
Sonargaon police station’s inspector (Investigation), Tobidur Rahman said, the situation is under control and Maulana Mamunul Haque along with the woman is under custody for now.
Officer-in-Charge of the police station, Rafikul Islam said investigation going on to confirm the identity of the woman detained with the Hafazat leader.
Also read: Hefazat Amir demands punishment of Hathazari OC
Police didn’t share any further detail as investigation was going on.
Meanwhile Maulana Mamunul Haque threatened to file case against the journalists who were trying take photograph and video footage of him.
India hopes Dhaka will address Hefazat's anti-Modi protests
India Friday hoped that the Bangladesh government would aptly address the challenges posed by protests spearheaded by Hefazat-e-Islam, an prominent Islamist group, in Chittagong during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the neighbouring country.
Modi was in Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
But the Indian PM's visit triggered violent protests in several parts of Bangladesh, leaving at least 12 people dead. In the city of Chittagong, the protests were led by Hefazat-e-Islam.
Also read: Hefazat’s day-long hartal ends amid violence, clashes
"As far as the violence is concerned, we have always been against fundamentalism and extremism. We are confident that the Bangladesh government will address the challenge," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told the media in Delhi.
Even though Hefazat-e-Islam claims to be a “non-political” outfit, the group has gained prominence after the fall of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist political party.
Also read: Hefazat activists stage demo in Chattogram; Hartal tomorrow
Apparently making it clear that the protests by Hefazat-e-Islam would not cast any shadow on the amicable ties between India and Bangladesh, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "Modi's visit to Bangladesh had facilitated significant decisions to reinforce the legacy of 1971 and this is in furtherance of India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation."
Ahead of his two-day visit to Dhaka, Modi tweeted: “Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh’s remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership."
Hefazat Amir demands punishment of Hathazari OC
Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam Junaid Babunagari has demanded exemplary punishment for the OC of Hathazari Police Station for shooting dead madrasa students on March 26.
Hefazat-e-Islam's Amir made the demand at a protest rally at Hathazari's Zilla Parishad Market premises after Friday prayers. The protest rally was called as part of Hefazat's central program. Junaid Babungari addressed the rally as the chief guest.
He said, "We want exemplary punishment for Hathazari Police Station OC Rafiqul Islam. He cannot stay as OC."
"We pray for Bangabandhu and Bangladesh. We are not against the government. Our main enemies are atheists," he added.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
Police closed the Hathazari-Khagrachhari road from 1pm today during the protest rally by Hefazat. The law enforcers took up position with barbed wire barricade in front of Hathazari Kachari Road.
Vehicles were stuck on both sides of the road. Many were seen walking to reach their destinations. After the rally ended at around 3.15 pm, the traffic became normal.
Meanwhile, as part of the central program, the leaders and activists of Mahanagar Hefazat staged a protest at the Andarkillah Shahi Jame Mosque premises in the city after the Friday prayers. Huge number of police were also deployed in the area during this time.
Also read: An uneasy calm at Hathazari after Friday’s mayhem
Earlier, last Friday, four people were killed and atleast 15 others were injuref in clashes between Hefazot activists and police at Hathazari in Chattogram district.
Hefazot activists attacked the Hathazari thana compound and land office, forcing the law enforcers to fire teargas shells and rubber bullets in self defence.
Hefazat, police clash in Gazipur; 20 injured
At least 20 people were injured on Friday when supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam clashed with police at Gazipur’s Chandona.
The skirmish disrupted traffic at Board Bazar and surrounding areas.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
Seven separate cases were filed on Tuesday night over the clash between Hefazat-e-Islam activists and police at Hathazari in Chattogram.
Five days after the incident, Hathazari police filed four cases, Patia police filed one and Hathazari land office filed two.
The cases accused 2,500 people, none of them named, for attack on police station, vandalism of land office, arson, obstruction of police work and assaulting on-duty policemen.
Also read: Four killed in clashes with cops in Chattogram
Hathazari circle ASP Mosiudoula Reza said they would identify the suspects through investigation.
Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ruhul Amin said, “Students of the madrasa have caused irreparable damage to the people of Hathazari by setting fire to the land office.”
Hefazat activists protested against the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on March 26. They also attacked Hathazari Police Station and vandalised it.
Also read: Hefazat’s day-long hartal ends amid violence, clashes
Five people, including several Hefazat activists, were killed when police opened fire.
Later, the protesters set fire to the Hathazari Upazila Land Office and two cars.
Evil intentions to create anarchy will be resisted: Hanif
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif on Tuesday said that any evil intention to create anarchy centering the golden jubilee celebration will be resisted strictly.
He was speaking to journalists at the Pabna Circuit House in the morning over recent mayhem of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
BNP-Jamaat tried to trigger anarchy in 2013 by misleading Madrasa students but the government and people resisted them together, he said.
Hanif accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance and Hefazat of using religion for personal gains.
“Stop using orphan children for personal interest, otherwise the government will deal with you sternly,” he said. Hefazat enforced a daylong strike on Sunday that ended with reports of sporadic clashes across the country.
On Friday, four people were killed and at least 15 others were injured in a clash between Hefazat supporters and police at Hathazari in Chattogram.
Police opened fire after a group of protestors attacked the Hathazari thana compound, Hathazari land office and set fire to a vehicle.
On the same day, at least 50 people, including several journalists, were injured in a clash between Muslim devotees and police in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area.
Clashes erupted when police barred people from bringing out a procession after Jum’a prayers protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh.