Ministry of Homes to Re-activate Investigation of 2013 Hefazat Movement
News Desk
Ministry of Homes will re-activate investigation of 2013 Hefazat movement soon. According to Mr. Asaduzzaman Kamal, Minister Home Ministry, terrorism cases cannot be postponed for so long. Details of the cases are being checked. The government is determined to take strict action against the accused. Police have filed charge sheets in only 15 of the 83 cases in the May 5, 2013 violence at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. Home Minister also said, there will be no more delay, the government has decided to take strict action against the terrorists. Hefazat leader Junaid Babunagari and Mamunul Huq have announced that if a sculpture of Bangabandhu at Dholaipar in the capital is set up, it will be dragged down, which has led to controversies across the country.
In seven districts, including the capital Dhaka, 83 cases were registered in 2013, alleging terrorism. According to the police headquarters, out of 83 cases, two cases were registered in Kalabagan police station in Dhaka, one in Ramna, one in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station, six in Bagerhat and five in Narayanganj. Hefazat’s central committee secretary general Junaid Babungari, Jamiat Ulamaye Islam secretary general Mufti Waqqas, BNP-Jamaat and some top leaders of several political parties were also arrested. However, they were later released on bail.
Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a Qaumi Madrasa-based organization, suddenly became pro-active in demanding 13 points, including punishment of so-called atheist bloggers, during the Ganajagaran Mancha movement in the capital’s Shahbagh in February 2013, according to police headquarters. Around 50,000 Hefazat activists and supporters took position at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on May 5, 2013 after a blockade at six entrances to Dhaka. Earlier in the day, they clashed with police. Hundreds of shops and many government and private installations, vehicles were vandalized and set on fire in Motijheel, Paltan and surrounding areas. Hefazat leaders and activists dispersed in the face of a joint operation by police, RAB and BGB that night. 64,096 people including Junaid Babunagari were convicted in 83 cases in five districts, including Dhaka. Of these, 53 cases were registered in the capital. Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Oikyajot, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatrashibir, Nezame Islam, Khilafat Majlish, Khilafat Andolan, Jamiat Ulamaye Islam, BNP and their young wing and students Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal central leaders and activists were accused in these cases.