Aug 21 grenade attack: Maulana Tajuddin in S Africa

Interpol on Tuesday informed Bangladesh Police that Maulana Tajuddin, one of the accused in August 21 grenade attack cases, is now staying in South Africa. ‘Interpol this (Tuesday) morning sent us an email informing that Maulana Tajuddin is now in South Africa,’ Deputy Inspector General (DIG-operation) of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has said. He said initiatives have been taken to bring Tajuddin back soon after receiving the email. Tajuddin, one of the 19-charge-sheeted fugitives accused out of 52 in the August 21, 2004, grenade attack cases, is also a leader of Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a banned outfit. Tajuddin is brother of the detained former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, who is also a charge-sheeted accused in the case. The government has taken initiatives to bring back the charge-sheeted accused including BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman. ‘We have information that 19 among the 52 charge-sheeted accused in the Aug 21 grenade attack cases are now staying abroad and measures have already been taken to bring them back,’ a high official of police said. The list of the charge-sheeted accused has already been sent to the Interlope, he said, adding ‘At the same time we are taking special care so that none of the criminals could flee the country obtaining bail,’ according to BSS.