The government fears further countrywide explosions as it has intelligence reports that Islamist militants and outlawed extremists have recently joined hands to carry out bomb attacks on important establishments in a bid to force the government keep hands off them. According to an intelligence agency report, militants of banned Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Janajuddha, a faction of the Purba Banglar Communist Party, have buried the hatchet. The Islamist group has joined hands with the outlawed outfit in the question of existence as many Janajuddha operatives died in 'crossfire' and the government launched countrywide crackdown in February after banning the JMB.
| They've got that down to an art form. I'm wondering if RAB's going to be unleashed against the Islamists, too? |
The extremist groups, who cling too hard to opposite ideologies, had decided at a meeting a couple of months ago to cooperate with each other to intimidate the government into leaving them alone and letting them continue their activities, the agency reported.
| Ow. My head just spun around 360 degrees. And that bad part is, in Bangla that's a tactic that makes sense... |
The crackdown on three Islamist outfits -- the JMB, Bangla Bhai-led Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB) and Dr Asadullah Al Galib-led Ahle Hadith Andolan Bangladesh (Ahab) -- and Abdur Rashid alias Tapan Malitha-led Janajuddha led to the union, the agency reported. Tapan was enraged and bent on revenge after some of his followers including his younger brother were killed in 'crossfire'.
| "Doctor Quincy! There are some guys here who want one of your patients!" |
Bangla Bhai was also furious as a number of JMJB men were arrested after he went into hiding last year. After the arrest of Galib and banning of the JMJB and JMB on February 23 and subsequent arrests of the JMB, JMJB and Ahab men, they planned an attack to frighten the government and show off their strength, according to the agency.
| "God made rabbits and he made Bengalis. What harm?" |
The report however confirmed Janajuddha was not involved in the August 17 explosions and blamed it on the JMB following seizures of leaflets and confession of its activists. |