As seven more noted persons including State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan issued death threats on Tuesday allegedly by banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team, second time in two weeks, the junior minister claims that it is an act of the anti-liberation forces.
“I do not do anything that may suggest that I am an atheist. I say my prayers on time and regularly. I do not know how my name came in such a letter,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
“It is the same group, the anti-liberation forces, who had failed to create panic through anarchy using petrol bombs just couple of days ago. I am quite sure about it,” he added.
On May 21, Ansarullah sent letters to 10 other eminent persons, including an adviser to the prime minister and a lawmaker, terming them anti-Islam.
Ansarullah members are blamed for the killings of several secular teachers, writers and activists since 2013. Detectives and media reports say they have targeted many noted personalities and secular activists who they find as obstruction to establishing Shariah law.
Asaduzzaman said he would discuss about the next course of action with high officials of the law enforcement agencies. “Action will be taken against those responsible after proper investigation.
“There is nothing to be panicked. If anyone [mentioned on the list] wants security, proper measures will be taken.”
The new list also include the names of University Grants Commission Chairman Prof AK Azad Chowdhury; DU Zahurul Haque Hall Provost Delowar Hossain; Arts Faculty Dean Prof Md Aktheruzzaman; actor Shomi Kaiser; DU acting proctor Prof Dr Amzad Ali; and one Abu Musa M Masuduzzaman Zakaria.
“Ansarullah Bangla Team-13” sent the letters to the recipients by post mentioning that it was the “second list of Death, Must you will prepare for Death.”
A general diary was registered with Dhanmondi police by the DU authorities, OC Noor-e-Azam Mia said. “We are also assessing security measures for the persons.”
The previous letter mentioned the names of PM’s Adviser HT Imam, lawmaker Tarana Halim, Dhaka University VC Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Jagannath Hall Provost Ashim Sarker, Shahjalal University teacher Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Gonojagoron Moncho Spokesperson Imran H Sarker, and writers Bikash Saha, Md Iqbalur Rahim and Paltan Sutar. Officials of Shahbagh police and the DB police are investigating the matter.
Prof Arefin termed the fresh letters little fearful and blamed the law enforcers for their failure to bring the culprits to book. “It is high time that the law enforcers identify those responsible for issuing such death threats. Their financiers should be traced too,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
DU acting proctor Prof Amzad also blames the police for their failure to identify the culprits. He demanded adequate security measures for the persons under threat.
Recently, the son of Prof Humayun Azad, Ananya Azad, said he had been threatened with death by extremists. Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen was shifted to the US from India on Tuesday followed by threats of militants.
Believed to an al-Qaeda affiliate in Bangladesh, Ansarullah works in collaboration with other outlawed militant and radical groups.
SM Jahangir Alam Sarker, acting deputy commissioner of DMP, said they were not tensed about the fresh death threats. “But we have taken it seriously and increased vigilance. We are investigating the matter giving utmost priority,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.