Dhaka Bureau: The police has taken the initiative to dispose of 203 cases filed against the activists of Hefazet Islam quickly. The police have also started working after receiving instructions from the government’s high command. At least 10 leaders have been granted bail in the last one month. The leaders of the organization said that they will be released anytime. However, Maulana Mamunul Haque, the former Joint Secretary General of Hefazat Islam, is not going free for now. The positive attitude of the government was not found in this regard. It is believed that after getting bail, Mamunul Haque will start embarrassing the government by saying different things again. Due to this, the issue of his release has been suspended.
On May 5, 2013, the leaders and activists of Hefazet Islam gathered at Shapla Square in Motijheel. On that day there was widespread violence across the capital. Apart from this, violence occurred with custody workers in seven districts including Narayanganj, Bagerhat, Brahmanbaria. In these incidents, 53 cases were filed in seven districts including Dhaka. Out of 53 cases, 49 cases are pending. Again on March 26, 2021, Hefazat activists clashed with the Awami League and the police in the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area of the capital. At one stage, the conflict spread to Brahmanbaria, Chittagong’s Hathazari, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Kishoreganj and other parts of the country. 154 cases were filed across the country in these incidents. In all, 203 cases of custodial violence are still pending.
A central leader of Hefazat said, we had a meeting with the head of state on December 17. A delegation of 11 members led by Senior Naib Amir Maulana Muhammad Yahya participated in the meeting. The meeting lasted about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Several demands were discussed in the meeting. When the Prime Minister was asked to make several proposals regarding the release of activists, withdrawal of cases and madrassa education, he himself took notes. Maulana Mamunul Haque and all the leaders and activists of Hefazat have been demanded to be released. He also said that nothing is solved without compromise. We do not want any kind of misunderstanding with the government.
In response to a question from journalists, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “We are discussing custody cases.” Let’s see what can be done. In March 2021, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, they vandalized the important buildings of the state, including the office court, on the occasion of the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. Law moves at its own pace. We also want the cases to be resolved at the earliest.
A senior officer of the police headquarters said verbal instructions have been received to settle the custody cases. Basically the cases will be withdrawn or the final report will be given. We have plans to settle the issues before the next national elections. Investigating agencies have already been asked to act. Moreover, at least 10 leaders of custody have been granted bail in the last one month.
When asked, Maulana Mohiuddin Rabbani, Joint Secretary General and Spokesperson of Hefajat Islami Central Committee, said, “We had a meeting with the Prime Minister a few months ago. Almost everyone of the central committee was present in the meeting. The prime minister listened to our speech patiently. Earlier we also met the Home Minister. The Prime Minister immediately directed the Home Minister to dispose of the cases expeditiously and release the jailed leaders on bail. We are very optimistic about the Prime Minister’s assurance. He also said that it is very difficult for us to appear in the court in the case. We do not do any kind of politics. Working on Islam. A group is slandering us. I have also informed the Prime Minister about this. He assured us. Now let’s see, we also hope that the instructions of the Prime Minister will be implemented.
