LOOKEAST

LOOKEAST REPORT |

HIZB–ut–Tahrir supporters marched without fear in Dhaka on Monday with police nowhere in sight. What does this indicate ! A colossal failure of the police and its chief Javed Patwari.

On Monday, around 30 members of Hizb–ut–Tahrir led a procession in Shahbagh, Dhaka. They were seen carrying a banner and chanting slogans, calling the people to unite under the leadership of Hizb–ut–Tahrir and help establish a caliphate in Bangladesh.

A member of the banned militant outfit recorded the procession while riding on a motorbike and later posted it in social media.

WHAT IS HIZB–UT–TAHRIR ?

Islamic thinker Taqi–al–Din al-Nabhani formed Hizb–ut–Tahrir in 1953 in Jerusalem, five years after the creation of Israel.

In 2000, Nasimul Gani and Kawsar Shahnewaz launched the organization’s Bangladesh chapter under Dr Syed Golam Maula’s leadership. The group prefers to recruit merit students as its members and leaders.

In 2009, detectives said Hizb–ut–Tahrir had links to Jama’atul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, Harkat–ul–Jihad and Pakistan–based militant group Jaish–e–Mohammed. The group was banned on October 22, 2009 — because of militant activities — but remains operational—silently picketing in front of mosques and maintaining a well–managed online presence

In September, 2008, Rajshahi police arrested 10 Hizb–ut–Tahrir leaders, including its coordinator Dr Syed Golam Maula—a Dhaka University teacher. They were released within two weeks—after the group threatened to oust the then–incumbent army–backed caretaker government.

In 2009, detectives said Hizb–ut–Tahrir had links to Jama’atul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, Harkat–ul–Jihad and Pakistan–based militant group Jaish–e–Mohammed.

The group was banned on October 22, 2009 — because of militant activities — but remains operational—silently picketing in front of mosques and maintaining a well–managed online presence.

Even though 650 of Hizb–ut–Tahrir’s top leaders and members have been arrested since a ban was slapped on the group in 2009, more than 450 have since been let out on bail and have disappeared after leaving jail.

HIGHLY EDUCATED CADRES  

According to data collected from the agencies concerned, different units of law enforcement have arrested a total of 49 Hizb–ut–Tahrir members between 2015 and November this year. Most of the detainees are students of various universities and colleges.

An official of the CTTC, on condition of anonymity, said: “Hizb–ut–Tahrir is reorganising with a long–term agenda. They usually target merit students for recruitment—as having members in high government positions will help them in the long run.”

Hizb–ut–Tahrir is reorganising with a long–term agenda. They usually target merit students for recruitment—as having members in high government positions will help them in the long run — Hizb–ut–Tahrir members are highly–educated and technologically–adept, which allows them to carry out their organisational activities—avoiding the law enforcement agencies’ surveillance

Sources said the Hizb–ut–Tahrir members are highly–educated and technologically–adept, which allows them to carry out their organisational activities—avoiding the law enforcement agencies’ surveillance.

Along with their online presence, members of the organisation distribute leaflets in mosques and on streets after prayers, and put up posters.

According to several eyewitnesses, Hizb–ut–Tahrir members distributed leaflets featuring anti–government propaganda in the capital’s Bangla Motor area on November 22.

On November 24, five Hizb–ut–Tahrir activists were detained by a team of RAB–4. Among the suspects was a Dhaka University student, the director of a coaching centre, and three students from Mirpur University College and Tejgaon College.

According to RAB–4 Commander, Additional DIG Chowdhury Manjurul Kabir said: “The group (Hizb–ut–Tahrir) has become active cantering on the upcoming general election. They are distributing leaflets and putting up posters. “We are trying to get for information about their top leadership by interrogating arrested members of the banned outfit” Kabir said. ■