Based on an intelligence report, the Prime Minister’s Office has recently cautioned the Home Ministry that blacklisted militant outfit Hizb-ut Tawhid may try to create chaos by taking advantage of the public sentiment against dismissed minister Latif Siddique, who made controversial comments on Islam.
A state intelligence agency has made the deduction by analysing publicity materials that the outfit has been circulating ahead of the scheduled “all religion conference” in Sunamganj on October 29.
The agency fears that statements issued at that programme may instigate more anger among Muslims in the country and destroy the government’s image.
In an “urgent and confidential” letter that the Dhaka Tribune has obtained, the Home Ministry on Sunday cautioned the inspector general of police and the director general of RAB that the presence of government officials and Awami League leaders in the programme might create “disagreement and division among Muslims.”
The ministry also cautioned about a possible attempt to tarnish the government’s image by cashing in on the discontent that Latif Siddique’s unpleasant remarks on religion had created among pious Muslims.
Sources said a summary of the intelligence report, which the Dhaka Tribune has also obtained, has been recently forwarded to the Ministry by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Photocopies of the Home Ministry letter were also sent to the divisional commissioner of Sylhet and the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Sunamganj district.
Currently, the state minister and the senior and additional secretaries of the Home Ministry are all on a state visit to the UAE. As of 8pm yesterday, none of them could be reached over phone for comments.
However, a senior Home Ministry official told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that letters would be dispatched today asking the police and RAB headquarters to take necessary measures.
Introducing the militant outfit, which may be banned anytime, the intelligence report said: “Hizb-ut Tawhid has been publicising the various aspects of its ideology through countrywide rallies, seminars, documentary screenings and civil society gatherings.”
The report believes that the “all religion conference” at the Shahid Abul Hossain Auditorium in Sunamganj is a continuation of that process of publicity. It said the conference was going to be organised by the followers of Hizb-ut Tawhid founder Mohammad Bayezid Khan Ponni.
The agency described the outfit as a “preacher of confusing and orthodox beliefs about Islam.”
According to the report, the conference will be presided over by Md Motaleb Khan, Sunamganj correspondent of daily Desher Patra. The report said Motaleb is the planner and coordinator of all of Hizb-ut Tawhid’s activities in Sunamganj district.
Citing the names of a number of noted local personalities from among Hindus, Muslims and Christians and Awami League leaders, the intelligence agency said their presence at the conference might turn out to be detrimental to the government’s image.
When contacted, Sunamganj district police chief Md Harunur Rashid – a recipient of a copy of the ministry letter – claimed that at present there was no activity of Hizb-ut Tawhid in the district.
“We have information that the followers of Bayezid Khan Ponni are organising a conference; but Ponni has no connection with Hizb-ut Tawhid,” Harunur Rashid said.
Abul Kalam Azad, director of the intelligence wing of RAB, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they were yet to receive any instruction in this regard.
Intelligence sources have said the government has already been recommended to take steps for banning the activities of Hizb-ut Tawhid.
In October 2009, the Awami League government banned Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a similar Islamist militant outfit. That very year, several outfits including Hizb-ut-Tawhid, Islami Samaj, Ulema Anjuman al Baiyinaat, Islamic Democratic Party, Tawhid Trust, Tamir ud-Deen and Allahr Dal were blacklisted by the government because of their suspected involvement in militant activities.