Hefajat Mayhem: 3,000 accused in eight cases filed in Ctg, Munshiganj

Eight cases have been filed in Chattogram and Munshiganj in five days since the anti-Modi protest and strike were organised by radical Islamic organisation Hefazat-e-Islam.

At least 3,000 people were accused in the cases that were filed in connection with clashes between Hefajat men and police, vandalism, and arson attacks.

Among the eight cases, seven were filed in Chattogram while one was registered in Munshiganj, said police sources.

According to police, at least 2,200 unidentified persons were sued in seven cases in Chattogram while 600 more, including 15 Hefazat men, were sued in Munshiganj.

SM Rashidul Haque, superintendent of Chattogram police, said they filed four cases with Hathazari Police Station over attacks on policemen, vandalism at police stations, and other charges.

"I cannot accurately say the exact number of the total accused but it is not less than 1,500," he said.

Meanwhile, members of the Assistant Commissioner (AC Land) office in Hathazari upazila also filed two cases over vandalism at their office and setting one of their vehicles on fire.

Rezaul Karim, officer-in-charge of Patiya Police Station, said they filed a case accusing at least 700 unidentified people under the Anti-Terrorism Act with the police station.

None of the above-mentioned police officials, however, confirmed if any Hefajat leaders were named in the cases.

Meanwhile, accusing 15 leaders of Hafajat and 600 unnamed persons, police filed another case in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district over clashes and violence during the countrywide strike.

Mohammad Kamruzzaman, inspector (investigation) of Sirajdikhan police station, said eight persons were arrested in connection with the case.

"Among the 15 accused, president of Sirahdikhan unit of Hefajat-e-Islam Mohammad Obaidullah Kashemi, 40, and Abdullah, 35, were made accused," he said.

However, Abdul Hamid, Nayeb-e-ameer of the central committee of Hefajat-e-Islam, known as "Madhupur Pir", who was also injured during the strike on March 28, was not made accused in the case. He is also the superintendent of Madhupur Madrasa.

Mohammad Mahfuz Afzal, additional superintendent of police (administration and crime), said, "Police did not make Madhupur Pir an accused as he was not involved in the attack on police during the strike."

Meanwhile, talking to The Daily Star, Syed Nurul Islam, deputy commissioner (Motijheel zone) of police, said no fresh arrest was made in his area but they were trying to find the accused.

Shah Iftekhar Ahmed, deputy commissioner (Wari zone) of police, said 10 persons were already arrested in four cases.

"We did not arrest anyone new in connection with the cases," he added.