The threat of release of top terrorists, the fear of deterioration of the law and order situation

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the anti-discrimination student uprising, the release of the top terrorists has fallen. Among them, at least six top terrorists have been released on bail in the capital Dhaka. Almost all of them have 7 to 15 cases against them for murder, extortion, vandalism and encroachment.

Most of them were in prison for more than one to one and a half years. Some of the terrorists who are still in prison are pressing for their release. They are also waiting to come out.

Concerned people fear that the law and order situation of the capital may seriously deteriorate. But the top terrorists used to control Dhaka's crime world from the jail. City dwellers fear that they may become reckless again with the fragile law and order situation. They say top terrorists used to control outside crime from prison. If they are released on bail, the scale of this crime will increase.

According to sources, a large number of top terrorists, either declared by the government or listed by law enforcement agencies, are now out of the country. Some have died. Out of them, most of those who are in jail were either acquitted or on bail in all but two cases. Taking advantage of the changed situation, now they are coming out on bail. Among them are Abbas Ali of Mirpur, Sheikh Mohammad Aslam alias Sweden Aslam of Tezgaon, Imamul Hasan Helal alias Picchi Helal of Mohammadpur, Sanjidul Islam alias Imon of Hazaribagh area, Khandkar Naeem Ahmed alias Titon and Khorshed Alam alias Rasu alias Mirpur, known as 'Killer Abbas' in the law enforcement agency's records. Freedom Rasu has also been released from prison.

Among them, on September 3, the top terrorist Sheikh Aslam alias Swede Aslam was killed in East Raja Bazar area of ​​the capital. Earlier, Emon was released from Dhaka Central Jail on August 14. At the same time, Emon's main aide Mamun was also released on bail. Abbas Uddin alias Killer Abbas was released on bail from Kashimpur High Security Jail on August 13. Earlier on August 12, Freedom Rasu and Picchi Helal, Teton, were released from the same jail.

According to law enforcement sources, on December 26, 2001, the Ministry of Home Affairs released the names of 23 top terrorists. It contained the names of Abbas, Helal, Titon and Rasu. There are many cases of murder and attempted murder against all those who are out on bail, including these four. They are also sentenced in some cases. In some cases, some were also acquitted by the High Court. There have also been cases of states not appealing against the acquittal of some, including Sweden Aslam. The cases, bail, arrests and overall activities of the big criminals were always monitored by special branches of the police and other intelligence agencies. After the fall of the government, the law and order forces were in a fragile state. Top terrorists are getting out very easily using this opportunity. There is no surveillance on them after they come out again.

According to multiple sources who keep track of Dhaka's criminal world, some of the top terrorists who are out on bail are trying to leave the country. There are also rumors that a top terrorist from Mirpur area has escaped from jail and crossed over to Nepal. Some are hoping to use their old political identity to become active in mainstream politics. Many of the top terrorists had close ties with some of the influential political leaders while in prison. Some people want to use that opportunity.

In this regard, Associate Professor of Social Welfare and Research Institute of Dhaka University Touhidul Haque said that the top terrorists used to control outside crimes from prison. Therefore, if released on bail, there is a risk of increasing their crime level. He said, 'Terrorists released on bail should be closely monitored to see if they are reactivating old crime networks. Otherwise, the desire of the students for a new Bangladesh will be destroyed.

Asked how the top terrorists are getting bail, a senior law enforcement official, who did not wish to be named, said, “We are now focusing more on maintaining the normal law and order situation.” Due to this, it was not possible to look separately at the top terrorists while in prison or after bail. On that occasion they are able to get out like this.

However, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (DB) Rezaul Karim Mallik said, we will have strict vigilance to ensure that no one gets involved in criminal activities after getting bail. He also said that no one will be spared if he commits a crime, whether he is a top terrorist, godfather or in any identity.

Incidentally, earlier one of the 23 top terrorists, Vikas Kumar Biswas alias Vikas, went missing after being released on Kashimpur High Security bail on December 12, 2012. Since then, Vikas Ferrari has gone into hiding in India as an accused. Tanvirul Islam Joy was the number four listed accused in this list of top terrorists. In 2004, he fled and hid in America. Four years ago, he went into hiding in Malaysia. He died while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Malaysia on April 13 this year while in hiding. In this regard, top terrorist Arman of Moghbazar, Kamal Pasha of Mohammadpur and Freedom Sohail of Khilgaon are imprisoned in the list of 23 top terrorists.

Source Prothom Alo, Ittefaq

Bangladesh /KH