Jihadi coalition in Bangladesh

REPORTS about activities of militant groups are dominating the media of late. The latest on the formation of a coalition of some religious extremist groups although raises concerns but comes as no surprise. Not to expect birds of the same feather to flock together, particular groups with similar ideology and aim of establishing that ideology as a political dispensation in the country, would be a folly on the part of those that are engaged in countering the menace of religious militancy on ground.   

The law enforcing agencies deserve kudos for anticipating the militants who were apparently preparing to conduct terror acts inside the country.

We believe that the 12 militant groups that are proscribed and many that are not, carry the same agenda and would eventually pool resources towards both recruitment of manpower and conduct of terror acts in the country.

The recent catch suggests immediate action on several aspects of the counter-terrorism drive. Firstly, law enforcing agencies must address seriously the recruitment drive of the militant groups. Clearly they are trying to catch them young with a long term plan as is evident from the fact that one of the four HUJI cadres netted on Saturday was recruited when he was a sixth grader. Secondly, arrested militant leaders are still being able to provide guidance and direction to their cadres from inside jail. This speaks of the lax supervision of jailed militants. It may also be an indication that there are militant sympathisers in sensitive places in the administration.

These are priority tasks if the militant groups are to be effectively countered.