Hefajat’s Innocence Claim: Evidence contradicts

Although the top leaders of Hefajat-e-Islam repeatedly denied the organisation's involvement in recent countrywide vandalism and violence, photographs and footages testify the opposite.

On top of that, Maulana Abdullah Mohammad Hasan, nayeb-e-ameer of Hefajat, on April 13, resigned from the Qawmi madrasa based Islamist outfit, protesting the group's leaders' involvement in violent activities.

Hasan also alleged alleging that Hefajat became a platform to materialise the personal agenda of some controversial Hefajat leaders.

Protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh, the Islamist outfit carried out three-day-long violence from March 26, especially in Brahmanbaria and Chattogram.

According to witnesses, Hefajat men had carried out unprecedented mayhem in Brahmanbaria.

They vandalised properties and conducted arson attacks on the police station and government offices. At least 13 people died in Brahmanbaria centering the violence.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, in a statement on April 4, told the parliament that a total of 17 people had died during Hefajat mayhem.

Based on video footage of the mayhem in Brahmanbaria, police yesterday arrested 30 more Hefajat men in connection with the mayhem in the district from March 26 to 28, reports our correspondent.

The law enforcers arrested them from different areas conducting a special drive, said Mohammad Roish Uddin, additional superintendent of police in Brahmanbaria.

The law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 237 people in connection with attacks, arson and vandalism carried out at different public offices in Brahmanbaria.

Among the arrestees, 197 are Hefajat-e-Islam activists and supporters, 37 BNP, and three Jamaat-e-Islami activists.

More than 39,000 people have been made accused in 55 cases filed over the mayhem in Brahmanbaria.

Forty-nine of the total cases have been filed with Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station, three with Ashuganj Police Station, two with Sarail Police Station, and one in Akhaura Railway Police Station.

Police have mentioned names of 414 accused in the case statements while the rest remain unnamed.

Hefajat Ameer Junaid Babunagari recently demanded immediate withdrawal of the "conspiracy cases" filed against all Hefajat leaders including its Secretary General Nurul Islam Jihadi.

In a statement, Babunagari said that a group of terrorists wearing helmets and carrying machete attacked innocent and peace-loving worshipers at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram on March 26, without provocation.

Besides, the police also opened fire on the worshipers. Because of this, the common worshipers formed mass resistance in self-defence.

He said videos of the clashes on that day clearly showed who instigated the violence. People across the country have watched those videos. The events of that day were also covered in various international media.

Mohammad Roish Uddin, additional superintendent (admin and crime) of Brahmanbaria police, said, "Police are identifying the culprits on the basis of video footages and images of the violence."

According to sources, Hefajat men carried out attacks and set fire on 58 government and non-government establishments including two temples and the houses and offices of top leaders of Brahmanbaria district Awami League and Chhatra League.

But now the group is denying its involvement in the massacre.

On April 5, after visiting the Brahmanbaria Press Club, Hefajat-e-Islam's district unit president and central Nayeb-e-Ameer Sajedur Rahman claimed that no Hefajat men was involved in the violence.

Rather their "peaceful" programmes were damaged by the violence carried out by the ruling Awami League men, he claimed.