Bangladesh News

Activists of banned militant outfit Allahr Dal are regrouping in the south-western part of the country.

Members of the outlawed Islamist group are carrying out their activities secretly in Kushtia, Meherpur and Chuadanga, sources in law enforcement agencies said.

A number of militants who fled the country following the crackdown after August 17 serial bomb blasts in 2005 have retuned to their areas and started regrouping.

Police arrested six members of Allahr Dal at a house at Govipur in Meherpur on January 17.

The law enforcers said they launched a drive after getting information that members of the banned outfit gathered there to hold a meeting.

The arrestees are Mohammad Rana of Batikaira village in Pabna, Mahfuzur Rahman of Tegrakandi in Gaibandha, Omar Ali of Saharbag in Magura, Safiqul Islam of Baantapur, Mortuza of Chakraur and Arifur Rahman Baus of Meherpur.

Police seized some documents from them.

Of the arrestees, Omar Ali was an employee of LGED in Meherpur.

Police said arrested militant Mahfuzur Rahman was coordinating all activities of the outfit in Meherpur. He stayed at the house of Abul Kasem at Bedpara area in the town for seven months introducing him as a preacher of Islam.

Police said all the arrestees admitted to their involvement with the outfit during interrogation mentioning Matin Mehedi as their leader.

Matin, a government high-up, who was arrested in 2005, is behind bars now.

Sources said about 250 activists of Allahr Dal are active in Kushtia, Meherpur and Chuadanga.

Most of them are teachers and students of Madrasa and Imams. Besides, a number of college and school teachers and government employees are also involved with the outfit.

Rab members arrested nine activists of the group in Kushtia on June 5, 2007. A court awarded them five years’ imprisonment each in September.

Later, they were granted bail by the district and sessions judge’s court in November. Sources said some of them have resumed their activities.

Sources in Meherpur and Chuadanga said Islamist militants are regrouping in the two districts and urging people to join them for establishing ‘rule of Islam’ in the country.