DHAKA, 2 June 2004 — Police in the northwestern city of Rajshahi have offered a reward of 50,000 taka ($900) for information leading to the arrest of Jagrata Muslim Janata (JMJ) leader Bangla Bhai and Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) commander Abdus Salam alias Tapu.
The two leaders of rival extremist Islamic and Maoist outfits remain out of reach of the arm of the law despite a much-publicized anti-crime operation in northern districts.
The deputy inspector general of the Rajshahi police range, Noor Mohammad, announced the reward yesterday.
The Islamic militant organization has so far killed at least nine suspected PBCP activists since it started a cleansing operation against the underground Maoists on April 1.
The PBCP has struck back, killing at least four JMJ men, and issued death threats to police.
Both organizations reported to have engaged in rape, extortion and abduction. JMJ has allegedly collected zakah from villagers in the form of food grains.
Bangla Bhai and his associates have maintained a low profile since the Prime Minister’s Office issued an order for his arrest. Tapu went underground when police raided two suspected PBCP hideouts in Rajshahi and arrested five activists, including top leader Badrul Amin Pintu, earlier this week. Police also seized bomb-making materials, bullets, and posters and leaflets from Pintu.
“The police will raid the hideouts of Bangla Bhai and Tapu as and when they get information,” Noor told reporters.
Pintu has been interrogated since Sunday night about more than a dozen murders and other PBCP crimes in the northern district, a source said.
The interrogation would reveal clues to killings, rape and arson, as well as the names of influential supporters of the underground party, a source said.
The Rajshahi police are hopeful that the interrogation will lead them to the hideout of both leaders.
However, some officials have their doubts. “It is evident that the PBCP has maintained contacts with a section of the Rajshahi police,” a police source said.
A passport seized from Tapu’s room was evidence of the connection, the source said.
The passport, issued in a false name, carries the endorsement of the Boalia police station in Rajshahi.
Meanwhile, a faction of Islamic Oikya Jote, a component of the BNP-led four-party ruling alliance, has voiced its support for Bangla Bhai and the JMJ, calling it “a social movement”.
