Daylong Jamaat hartal today
Security beefed up across country
STAFF REPORTER
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday called a countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal for today protesting the Supreme Court verdict that upheld the death sentence of its Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhammed Mujahid for war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War.
Makbul Ahmed, acting ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, announced the programme through a press statement soon after the court handed down the verdict.
The government has made a farce in the name of justice by filing false and fabricated cases against party leaders to make the party devoid of leadership. Mujahid is a victim of governments conspiracy, he said in the statement.
The Jamaat leader alleged that the government had filed conspiratorial cases against him (Mujahid) in a bid to killing him but there is no specific allegation against him and there was no eye witness as well.
Mujahid was denied justice and the case in which he was sentenced to death was false, he said adding that the entire nation has become frustrated.
Meanwhile, security measures have been beefed up across the country after the apex court dismissed the review petitions of two top war criminals, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury and Jamaat secretary-general Ali Ahsan Mujahid.
All law enforcement agencies as well as intelligence agencies were instructed by the government to keep extra vigil so that no vested quarters could destroy the law and order situation.
Another reason for the additional security measures was the latest attack on an Italian national, who was shot in Dinajpur yesterday morning, said Rapid Action Battalion deputy director (legal and media wing) Maj Rumman Mahmood.
Weve increased the number of check-posts and patrol teams as part of our security measures, he added.
According to law enforcement officials, they will take stern action if Jamaat or BNP activists attempt to create anarchy following the verdict, which upheld death penalties for the two war criminals for their crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
Talking to The Independent, Mohsin Reaza, public relations officer of the Border Guards Bangladesh, said besides Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi, a large contingent of border guards has been deployed in various districts, including Chandpur till 6pm today.
If the deputy police commissioners of a district call for BGB assistance, deployment will take place without any delay, he added.
Abdus Sobor Mondal, Chandpur district commissioner, told The Independent that after he contacted the BGB, two platoons have been deployed to maintain law and order in the district.
Md Mozammel Haque, the Naogaon district police superintendent, however, said, Till now, I dont see any need for BGB deployment.
Weve enhanced security measures across the district.
Replying to a question, Haque said, Weve significantly increased vigilance in different key-point installations, banks, shopping malls, and other financial enterprises.
When asked about possible threats after the historic verdict, the police official said, Weve been conducting raids to ensure peace in the district.
