500 'jihadi' books seized from Shibir-controlled room at RU hall

Rajshahi University authorities aided by police seize over 500 'jihadi' books from a Shibir-controlled room at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall of the university yesterday.Photo: STAR

Police aided by Rajshahi University (RU) authorities on Saturday night seized more than 500 'jihadi' (pro-Islamist uprising) books, kept for distribution by World Assembly of Muslim Youths (WAMY), from a Shibir controlled room at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall.
Hall sources said, at around 8:30pm, the hall authorities opened the room which was apparently locked for nine months since takeover of the new university administration.
But the room was used as WAMY Bangladesh office and run by Shibir men of the hall unit. WAMY was set up during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat led government defying the university rules and regulations, sources said.
On Saturday, the university proctorial body along with police raided the hall, seized the jihadi books and sealed the room.
During the raid, the joint team seized more than 500 books which include 'Fatwa Gurutta Proyojan' (the importance and necessity of religious edict) by Islamic Law Research Centre and Legal Aid Bangladesh, 'Islami Renaissance Andolan' and 'Islami Samaj Biplober Dhara' by Sayed Abul Ala Moududi, 'Simantey Eagle' by Naseeb Hizaji, 'Rajael O Israel' by Moududi, 'Adhunik Juge Islamer Biplober Proyojaniyota' (the necessity of Islami revolution in modern times) by Muhammad Kamruzzaman and 'Towards Understanding Islam' by Moududi.
Resident students of the hall said they were never aware of the matter that Shibir ran and continued their jihadi propaganda from the room.
Prof Mortoza Khaled, provost of Shamsuzzoha Hall, said being aware of the activities, he informed the matter to the university proctor and law enforcers as it is illegal to set up any such office at RU hall.
RU proctor Prof Chowdhury Zakaria said they seized the books and sealed the room as Shibir established the office defying university rules.
'I have formed a committee to investigate the matter. I will take legal steps on receipt of the report,' he said.
Hall unit Shibir president Muzahid could not be contacted for his comments as he was not available at RU.
Officer-in-charge of Motihar police station Tofazzal Hossain told this correspondent that police will go into action on getting direction from the university authorities.