In an innovative move, tech-savvy banned Islamist militant outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir is planning to hold an online conference early next month, detectives have said.
A team of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)’s Detective Branch (DB) picked up two members of the militant group in the Dakkhinkhan area of Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.
They were distributing leaflets in front of the Inusbagh Shahi Mosque, urging people to join their September 4 online conference, said DB Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Nazmul Alam at a press briefing yesterday afternoon.
Detectives have also seized a huge stash of books and leaflets inspiring revolution and a laptop-carrying bag from the possessions of Altamas Ahammed Babu and Sayeed Jane Alam Rubel, the two arrested militants.
One of their companions managed to flee the scene sensing the presence of the detectives who raided the area on a tip off.
Distributing leaflets – especially in front of mosques after prayers – is one of the main ways in which the outfit has over the years been trying to do public relations in the face of the ban imposed on its activities by the government. The members of the outfit have also sometimes brought out flash processions in the streets of Dhaka to let people know of its presence.
But this is the first time that Hizb-ut Tahrir – known as the most technologically advanced militant group in Bangladesh – has taken the initiative to organise an online conference and has been trying to encourage people to join it.
In fact, there are no other known instances in the country of a militant group organising such a programme, the DB said.
Having branches in a number of countries, Hizb-ut Tahrir began its operation in Bangladesh in 2000 and was banned in 2009 for its involvement in militant activities. Since then, they have been campaigning against democratic governments by issuing media releases after holding brief processions and rallies in front of different mosques in Dhaka, Rajshahi and elsewhere.
The members of the group have also at different times pasted posters on the walls in the capital city, with Mohammadpur being one of their most favourite areas.
Despite the ban, online and offline activities of the outfit – that accepts both male and female private and public university students – have never stopped. The organisation’s website and the Facebook page have always been very active.
Law enforcers have on various occasions arrested many of the groups activists, but the top-level leaders have managed to remain out of the law’s radar till date.
In the wake of the recent threats, detectives have prepared a list of leaders and activists of Hizb-ut Tahrir and found that most of them belong to high profile families.
During a drive in June, the DB arrested Nurullah Kashemi, a spiritual leader of another militant platform Bangladesh Jihadi Group. His name was included as a coordinator in the list of wanted Hizb-ut Tahrir leaders.
Seeking anonymity, a high-ranked official of DB told the Dhaka Tribune that Hizb-ut Tahrir has a strong female wing, led by a highly-educated woman, said to be a Buet graduate. The official, however, said he could not disclose any further details until they arrested her.
Intelligence and DB officials claimed that Hizb-ut Tahrir’s network has been shattered due to strong vigilance and that is why its members are now trying to join other similar groups such as Ansarullah Bangla Team and Bangladesh Jihadi Group. Hizb ut-Tahrir has members and sympathisers in the administration, different security agencies, higher educational institutes, mosques and madrasas. The connections work as a boost for them to take lead in those platforms, sources say.
Recently they campaigned against the proposed budget, the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the city corporation elections. Earlier, through posters and leaflets, they had asked the armed forces to capture power and set them in the helm to establish Caliphate.
Detectives also said that the militant groups active in the country have different ideologies, but they share a common aim – toppling the government and taking over power to establish a Shariah state.Meanwhile a Dhaka Court yesterday granted two-day remand for each of the two militants. According to the Anti-Terrorism Act that applies to outlawed groups, any activities of such organisations – in any form – are considered anti-state.
