Fearing militant attacks, law enforcers have kept close and constant surveillance on at least 40 Islamist groups in the country.
According to the intelligence department, supporters of those Islamist outfits are plotting to launch militant attacks by whipping up the masses through anti-government propaganda.
The members of law enforcing agencies were asked to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious by those Islamist organisations.
The 40 Islamist groups under intelligence watch are: International Khatme Nabuat Movement, Arakan Rohingya Force, Islamic Solidarity Font, Arakan People’s Army, Liberation Myanmar Force, Arakan Mujahid Party, Rohingya Independence Force, Rohingya Independence Army, Rohingya Patriotic Front Al-Harat-Al Islamia, Tauhidi Janata, World Islami Front, Jumaatul Al Sadat, Sahadat-e-Nabuat, Allahar Dal, Islamic Front, Jamaat As Sadat, Al-Khidmat, Hizbullah Islami Samaj, Muslim Millat, Sharia Council, Ahle Hadis Andolan Bangladesh, Dawati Kafela, Hizbul Mahdi, Bangladesh Anti-terrorist Party, Al Islam Martians Brigade, Jommiat Ahle Hadis Andolon, Jommiatul Ehzia Utraz, Hayatur Ilaha, Sattabad, Anjumane Talamize Islamia, Kalemar Jamaat, Tazir Bangladesh, Forkan Movement, Sahaba Parishad, Ketal Bahini, Eshar Bahini, Al Fahad, Horkatul Mujahidin, Mujahidin-e-Tazim, Jadid Al-Kayda, Al Markajul Al Islami and Jamatul Falaiya.
Intelligence sources said the parties are mainly active in the Baitul Mukarram Mosque area and Chittagong district. They recently joined the Hefazat-e-Islami demonstrations and protest programmes, which first gained momentum in Chittagong.
Aside from these, Ansarullah Bangla Team, another militant outfit that has recently come under the spotlight, is planning to launch attacks. This organisation is a prototype of al-Qaeda.
Five members of the group were recently arrested after they killed blogger Rajib Hayder in the capital following Ganojagaran Mancha protest programmes demanding capital punishment for war criminals.
Members of the law enforcement first came to know about the militant group from the three North South University students arrested in connection with the murder of Rajib.
AKM Shahidul Haque, additional inspector general of police, said the intelligence agencies constantly watch the activities of the Islamist groups.