Wall writings and posters of the banned Purbo Bangla Communist Party (ML- Red Flag) have appeared in Pabna after more than a decade, spreading fear among local residents. Locals say the sudden activity suggests a possible re-emergence of the extremist organization.
Police and local people said the posters were put up on Eid night in several important places, including the Ataikula Police Station area. They call for establishing "proletarian socialism" and protecting the local handloom industry.
From Sunday morning, the posters were seen in several markets, including Ekdanta, Lakshmipur, Brihaspatipur, Vulbaria, Tebaria, Sripur, Shibpur, Saratganj, Dhanuata, Balughata, Ayenganj, Hadal and Dhulauri.
A visit to the Ataikula Police Station area found the red posters pasted on various shops, walls and public gathering places. The posters carry slogans including "Workers of the world, unite" and messages promoting communist ideals.
The posters also include provocative lines such as "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun", "Kick the ballot box and establish socialism", "The land belongs to the one who ploughs it, the water belongs to the one who casts the net," and "Stop imported cloth, protect the handloom industry". The name of the East Bengal Communist Party (ML-Red Flag) is printed at the bottom.
Local residents said the organization was previously known for extremist activities.
Business owners said the posters were pasted under cover of darkness. They said the area has been tense since the posters were discovered in the morning, and many were alarmed by memories of past violence.
One trader said: “We used to wake up in the morning and hear about murders. We do not want those days again.”
A worker of the organization said: “Because of current political and economic discrimination, they feel the need to become active again.”
Local residents said there had been no activity by the group in the area for many years. The sudden appearance of posters has created panic, and some fear the group is trying to reorganize secretly.
A resident, requesting anonymity, said: “There was no peace in the area because of this organization. Extortion, murder and abduction were everyday incidents. It even became difficult to arrange marriages for daughters. We had been living well and peacefully for many years. Seeing these posters suddenly, we cannot sleep at night again. Are those days coming back? Will our security be endangered again? We are frightened thinking about all this.”
During the tenure of the previous Awami League government, the organization had become almost leaderless and inactive after a large number of its members surrendered.
One surrendered party worker said: “We are inactive. We are carrying out normal activities. We do not want to return to that dark world. We are doing well now with the financial support given by the government at that time.”
Ataikula Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jamirul Islam said: “After receiving the news of the posters, I visited the spot with police from the station. We collected samples. We are looking into the matter. No kind of disruptive activity that threatens public safety will be tolerated. An investigation is under way to identify who is involved in the poster campaign. I spoke with locals and they are living normally. They do not want to see terrorist activities again.” He urged anyone with specific information about the group to assist police.
Pabna Superintendent of Police Md Anwar Jahid told: “Legal action will be taken against those who put up the posters after the matter is investigated.”