Most of 40 missing youths involved in militancy: IGP

Police have reportedly found evidence of militant connections for 40 of the youths reported missing. Inspector general (IG) of police AKM Shahidul Haque said this at a press conference at the police headquarters in the city yesterday. The deaths of Tamim Chowdhury and his associates have mitigated the risk of further militant attacks in the country, Haque said. However, 40 of the youths in the missing list are engaged in militant activities, he added.
“We've spoken to family members of the missing youths. Many of them told us that their children have told them about their involvement in militancy,” Haque said.
Though the youths do not communicate with their family members physically, they sometimes call them up to let them know that they are fine, the families apparently told the police.
"We're trying to find out all the missing youths. Some of them have already returned home,” the IG said.
He, however, refused to disclose their names to protect their identities.
“We’ve kept them under surveillance and are trying to bring them back on the right path,” the police boss added. They were not directly involved with any militant attacks; they were only supporters, he continued.
Terming Nurul Islam Marjan as “second-in-command” of the New JMB, Haque said, “Tamim was once involved in Islamic Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.”
About BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s recent remark about the Narayanganj operation being a “drama”, Haque said, “If she indeed made the remark, it was very irresponsible of her. The operation was conducted in broad daylight and there should be no doubts about the raid.”
“She (Khaleda) has her own men and can get them to find out whether it was staged,” he suggested.
About the allegation against some police officers who allegedly tried to divert the case, the IG claimed, “I feel ashamed and sad that they tried to divert the case.
But no police officer has tried to divert any case during the Awami League-led government regime.”
About the rise of militancy in the country, Haque said, “The militants became organised during the political chaos in 2013.”
Asked about the reward promised for giving information on Tamim, Haque said the amount was distributed among the policemen who took part in the operation.
Asked about the three sons of executed war criminal Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and convicted war criminals Ghulam Azam and Mir Quasem Ali, who their families allege, were picked up from different places in the capital, the IGP said, “If the families lodge any general diary, we’ll provide them with legal help.”
Replying to a question on the resignation of SP Babul Akter, the IG said, “We waited one-and-a-half months before forwarding it to the home ministry.” The home ministry will take the necessary steps, he added.

 

Most of 40 missing youths involved in militancy: IGP

Police have reportedly found evidence of militant connections for 40 of the youths reported missing. Inspector general (IG) of police AKM Shahidul Haque said this at a press conference at the police headquarters in the city yesterday. The deaths of Tamim Chowdhury and his associates have mitigated the risk of further militant attacks in the country, Haque said. However, 40 of the youths in the missing list are engaged in militant activities, he added. Weve spoken to family members of the missing youths. Many of them told us that their children have told them about their involvement in militancy, Haque said. Though the youths do not communicate with their family members physically, they sometimes call them up to let them know that they are fine, the families apparently told the police. Were trying to find out all the missing youths. Some of them have already returned home, the IG said. He, however, refused to disclose their names to protect their identities. Weve kept them under surveillance and are trying to bring them back on the right path, the police boss added. They were not directly involved with any militant attacks; they were only supporters, he continued. Terming Nurul Islam Marjan as second-in-command of the New JMB, Haque said, Tamim was once involved in Islamic Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami. About BNP chairperson Khaleda Zias recent remark about the Narayanganj operation being a drama, Haque said, If she indeed made the remark, it was very irresponsible of her. The operation was conducted in broad daylight and there should be no doubts about the raid. She (Khaleda) has her own men and can get them to find out whether it was staged, he suggested. About the allegation against some police officers who allegedly tried to divert the case, the IG claimed, I feel ashamed and sad that they tried to divert the case. But no police officer has tried to divert any case during the Awami League-led government regime. About the rise of militancy in the country, Haque said, The militants became organised during the political chaos in 2013. Asked about the reward promised for giving information on Tamim, Haque said the amount was distributed among the policemen who took part in the operation. Asked about the three sons of executed war criminal Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and convicted war criminals Ghulam Azam and Mir Quasem Ali, who their families allege, were picked up from different places in the capital, the IGP said, If the families lodge any general diary, well provide them with legal help. Replying to a question on the resignation of SP Babul Akter, the IG said, We waited one-and-a-half months before forwarding it to the home ministry. The home ministry will take the necessary steps, he added.