The government yesterday warned that anyone involved in the mayhem across the country would not be spared.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday issued separate warnings saying those who spread rumours, disobey the law and are involved in disturbing and sabotaging peace will be brought under the law.

In a statement given by the home ministry, Asaduzzaman called for stopping those who are causing loss of life and destruction of property, including government property, in different parts of the country.   

The press release read that some unruly individuals and groups have been destroying government property in Chittagong's Hathazari Upazila, Brahmanbaria Sadar, Sarail and Ashuganj over the last two days.

"Public property, including Upazila Parishad, Thana Bhaban, government land office, police outpost, railway stations, houses of political personalities and press clubs are being damaged," it read.

All those concerned are requested to stop all forms of violence or else stern action will be taken to protect public property, the release added.

On the other hand, the law minister, at a programme, warned that drastic action will be taken against those involved in vandalism, violating the law, attacks and damaging peace and discipline.

Earlier Asaduzzaman, while talking to journalists at his secretariat office, requesting an end to the disorderly situation, said, "We are going to take action as per law."

Replying to whether only Hefajat-e-Islam was behind the violence, the minister said, "Their tactics and involvement of Basherkella make it clear that the militant outfits that previously tried to create terror and anarchy has been newly incorporated... We are looking into all the issues. No matter where they are, no one will be spared."

Asked who he meant by militant groups, the home minister said, "You have seen before that there are some banned militant outfits…including the Jamaat-e-Islami."

"When we put it together, we see that the leaders of these militant groups have been leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami before. Harkat-ul-Jihad, Ansar-Ullah Bangla Team, whatever you say, the main leadership of all of these outfits have come from Jamaat-Shibir," said the minister.

He also said, "Why are homes of innocent people burning today and why is government property being ruined? We are guessing that the reason behind this may be the same as those for previous attempts of sabotage. It can be Jamaat-Shibir or the BNP. We are checking all the issues."

About Hefajat's strike yesterday, the minister said vandalism after enforcing hartal (strike) is one issue and observing the hartal after it's enforced is another issue.

"They have no right to vandalism," he said.

A specific reason to create an untoward situation and foil the country's peaceful movement has worked behind setting fires in houses in Brahmanbaria, attacks on police outposts and putting 10-12 year-old children on the streets, said the minister.

"Even the Brahmanbaria press club was set on fire, a journalist was injured and houses of Chattra League men, Awami League men and the district council chairman were set on fire. If these are not stopped then we will take necessary action," the minster warned. 

Asked about taking lawful action against the culprits, he said, "We are observing the situation with patience but now we will foil these efforts and they will be brought to book."

The home boss also said that the situation is being instigated by spreading rumours and videos on social media. "We are treating these as sabotage attempts and stances taken against the state," he said.

"Through you [journalists], we want to ask [people] to refrain from these. We are going to take action according to the law. The government is taking all possible measures so that those who have been affected do not suffer any more. As we are patiently watching, now we must fix the situation, resist [the culprits] them and bring them under the law," he added.

Hefajat-e-Islam staged a protest at Baitul Mukarram on Friday over the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. They clashed with police and ruling party men during the protest.

Soon after the news spread, the students of Hathazari Madrasa in Chittagong staged a protest procession, during which four students were killed. Demonstrations took place in Brahmanbaria on Friday afternoon and one more was killed in a clash with law enforcers.

The Islamist group later called for protests on Saturday and a hartal yesterday over the attacks and killings.

Hefajat leaders and activists have attacked, vandalised and blocked roads across the country during the strike. At least eight people were killed in last two days' violence.