Hefazat-e-Islam Brahmanbaria District Unit Joint Secretary Mufti Abdur Rahim Qasemi has resigned from the organization seeking justice over the mayhem carried out by the Islamist group’s leader and activists in the district.
In a written statement sent to the media on Friday afternoon, Qasemi clarified his position and demanded punishment of those responsible for the violence that ensued from March 26 to March 28.
Qasemi is the former education secretary of Jamia Islamia Yunusia madrasa in Brahmanbaria and also a member of Hefazat’s central committee.
The move comes as the state cracked down on Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and activists with multiple arrests and cases over the last two weeks.
His statement said: "The loss of life and property of the people cannot be approved by Islam in any way. So, I personally stayed away from all these activities (mayhem) and forced the teachers and students of all the madrasas under my supervision not to take part in those."
Due to ideological conflict, Qasemi was relieved of all duties of madrasa and the organization from December 1. However, he said, he is yet to receive any formal expulsion letter from the district and central unit of Hefazat-e-Islam.
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"I am not involved in any of the ongoing activities of Hefazat-e-Islam. I am officially resigning from all the activities of Hefazat and from the posts of national and district committees," the statement added.
On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.
They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
The next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chittagong and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked a Chittagong-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalized several private and government establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.
So far, more than 35,000 people have been accused in 56 cases over the rampage. But only 346 people have been arrested as yet.
