‘Hefajat definitely has political ambitions’

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said Hefajat-e-Islam has done enough vandalism across the country.

"Land office, district commissioner's bungalows, police bungalows, police outposts have come under attack. They even vandalised Ustad Alauddin Khan Institute. After evaluating all these, we will reveal their true purpose," said the minister while addressing reporters at his Dhanmondi residence,.

Technically, Hefajat is a non-political organisation, he said.

"But we see that Hefajat sometimes gets stuck in political entanglements and gets involved with identified militants and criminals who always act against the state," the minister said.

Putting everything together, they of course have political ambitions. Investigators found that there is an ill-attempt to create another Shapla Chattar-like incident using Hefajat, the minister said regarding recent spate of violence.

At least 17 people died during a three-day long mayhem that began on March 26 surrounding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh marking the golden jubilee of the country's independence.

Asked why Hefajat chief Junayed Babunagari was not arrested even though he was an accused in cases, the minister said the investigation of the cases filed against him is still ongoing.

"Babunagari was arrested in 2013 after cases were filed against him. He was released on bail at the time," said the home boss.

Regarding the funding of Hefajat, he said, "The intelligence agencies are working to find those who did the financing. There are some leads but we do not want to announce right now. We will continue investigation for a few more days and then we will make an announcement."

"The money trail will be revealed in the investigation," the minister claimed.

Meanwhile, around 10 more people were arrested in the last 24 hours by law enforcers for their alleged involvement in attack, vandalism and arson in Brahmanbaria between March 26 and 28.

With the arrest, the total number of arrests now stand at 365 people in the district, reports our Brahmanbaria correspondent.

According to police headquarters, around 142 cases were filed and around 900 people were arrested in different areas of the country in connection with the incidents between March 26-28.