Islamist militancy under control: RAB chief

FE Team | Published: May 17, 2009 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

JMB bomb expert Mizan was produced before the court Saturday. Later he was taken on a 7-day remand. — FE Photo

Islamist militancy in Bangladesh is under control, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Khandaker Hassan Mahmud has said on a private TV channel, reports bdnews24.com.
"We can say very well that the religious militancy is under control. No major occurrence happened in recent times though we heard of many activities of the militant groups," the chief of RAB said in a programme on ATN Bangla Friday night.
His comments came hours after the recovery of huge cache of explosives and grenades after the JMB explosives kingpin Boma Mizan and his wife were quizzed after arrest Thursday and Friday.
Mahmud believed militancy can be curbed if public became more aware of the threat and get more involved.
He also hoped that the recently formed national committee on curbing militancy and terrorism would also play a crucial role in eliminating militancy.
On the crackdown in the early hours of Friday he said that they had been searching for Mizan for long. It was clear from the JMB operatives arrested and documents seized that Mizan was an important member of the terrorist out-fit.
"It was too early to say that a good number of women are getting involved in militancy. But we have noticed a trend of getting involved."
The RAB chief said that women were being recruited by the male activists. "Otherwise, their involvement is very little."
He thought Mizan's wife Sharmin Haque Lata had detonated a grenade inside the apartment, Mahmud said as the woman and her children survived it did not seem that it was a suicide attempt. Mahmud believed that the suicide attempt was only an isolated incident.
Observers say JMB is reorganising after reeling for long from crackdown.
He indirectly said that they were trying to capture JMB organiser Saidur Rahman.
Home Minister Sahara Khatun said Friday those who were in power in the last seven years patronised militancy. "It will take some time to bring militancy under control," she said.
RAB arrested Mizan Thursday evening and later cracked down on a hideout of JMB militants at midnight in the capital's north Pirerbagh, Shewrapara in Mirpur.