Most JMJB activists who went into hiding following arrest of their leaders in January started returning after release of these leaders on bail, threatening security of the area, a cross section of Bagmara residents apprehended.

Under Bangla Bhai's close associate Mustafizur Rahman Mustaque, who was recently released from jail on bail, the armed JMJB cadres have reorganised and started marching into the villages.

Introducing themselves as Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) sources, they even searched several houses in Cheukhali, Shikdari, Hamirkutsa, Jhikra, Jugipara and Goalkandi areas at night.

The Bagmara police, however, claimed that the media reports were baseless and brushed aside the possibility of the JMJB return saying both the outlawed PBCP and JMJB are cornered by prevalent police vigilance.

Following a report in The Daily Star on June 28, the local police visited the villages only to report to the headquarters yesterday that "no JMJB activities were found in investigation".

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) in Rajshahi Abdullah Al Mahmud went to Bagmara Police Station after the report and rebuked the policemen for their negligence in arresting the Bangla Bhai cadres.

"You will face action, if any further negligence is found," local journalists present at the police station quoted the SP as saying to the police officials in line with serving a notice for immediate arrest of the wanted JMJB cadres.

However, Mustaque or none of his group has been arrested so far.

Admitting the presence of Bangla Bhai men in Bagmara, a senior law enforcement official said, "The JMJB has deep-rooted networks. Those who brought them are influential. Their godfathers will use them when they need."

The JMJB target this time is not any so-called outlaws but the opposition Awami League (AL) that recently started gearing up its activists following veteran politician Sardar Amjad Hossain's joining the party, said several local people.

"In fact, the JMJB reappearance took place following the huge gathering at Amjad's reception meeting last week," said an upazila AL leader.

"The operation of the JMJB against the PBCP has virtually ended. So, they have started operation against their political enemies [the AL] as the JMJB leaders and their godfathers have political affiliations with the ruling alliance," said a union council chairman who was earlier forced to help Bangla Bhai in his operations.

Mustaque along with some JMJB cadres left Bagmara for Dhaka on June 15 and returned a couple of days later evidently with guidance from their godfathers, a source said.

On June 17 and 18, police held two JMJB adherents, including Ujjal, while they were circulating PBCP leaflets that bore threats to a number of BNP and AL leaders including Sardar Amjad.

"The leaflets were just a tactic for the JMJB return. Perhaps they planned to foil the June 21 reception of Sardar Amjad," the source added.

SP Mahmud said the police are keeping strong vigilance over the entire region. He complained of lack of witnesses against the JMJB cadres. "People do not lodge complaint against JMJB cadres," he said.

Replying to a question, he told that the police have no immediate plan to arrest any JMJB cadres until one identifies himself as a JMJB member or commits a crime. About Mustaque, however, he said, "We are looking for him".

Meanwhile, a top Rab official denied that Mustaque was their source. "Our sources cannot carry weapons. He might have used the opportunity of his contact with a Rab official."

Asked why the Rab was not arresting Mustaque, the official said, "Just send someone who can complain against him."