Exchanging views with journalists at his residence in Rajshahi, the ruling party lawmaker from Rajshahi-4 constituency said some ambitious and over-enthusiastic administrative officials are responsible for the rise of the JMJB.

Nadim said the militants would not have gathered such strength had they been dealt with by an iron hand during the AL rule. "They came out of their shells during the AL tenure."

"We read newspaper stories about the armed and combat training at Kawmi madrasas in Chittagong, Noakhali, Sylhet, Comilla and Barisal during the AL regime."

He also referred to the bomb attacks on the Udichi rally in Jessore, Ramna Batamul and Narayanganj AL office and the planting of a bomb at the venue of a rally of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a bid to assassinate her.

The most surprising fact is that the AL government failed to arrest the mastermind, Mufti Hannan, who planned to kill Sheikh Hasina, he said. "But the present government has arrested him and the trial is underway," he said.

About JMJB leader Bangla Bhai's activities in Bagmara, he said: "I have heard people of Bagmara in 2003 became organised and formed a 'Committee to Save Life' which comprised members from AL, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, JSD, Communist Party and also the leaders of the Hindu community.

When these well-organised people tried to save their skin from the "leftist outlaws," a group of opportunist people floated the JMJB capitalising on the situation, he said.

He disagreed with the recent comments of Rajshahi City mayor and the ruling BNP lawmaker Mizanur Rahman Minu and another BNP lawmaker Abu Hena about the JMJB activities and their patrons.