Suspected militants arrested

Police have succeeded in arresting the leader and members of yet another group which looks like having an agenda not compatible with true religious values. The police vigil and activism in this area of national concern are laudable. But obviously they have a long way to go.

Maulana Abdur Rouf, leader of 'Al Jamiatul Islamia', has reportedly admitted that he was trained in Pakistan before going to Afghanistan to fight the then Soviet occupation forces. It is suspected he has had links with two Islamic militant groups in Myanmar as well. The information that Rouf has divulged to the police regarding himself and his organisation could give the law enforcers vital clues as to the motives and modus operandi of such groups. They have been arrested after quite a few incidents had taken place in quick succession pointing to the likely presence of some militant organisations in the country. The names of suspected militants came up following big ammo hauls, discovery of bomb-making plants and training and education centres. So, the incidents are following a pattern which indicates that the whole thing is being conducted in an orchestrated fashion. International links add a new dimension to the issue which is that the militants might have been working on a broader plan. So, the law enforcers should carry forward the process of investigation to find out what they have been up to. The point is relevant because Bangladesh is firmly committed to opposing terrorism of any kind. It is imperative that religious education centres like madrassahs, which could be used for training and ideologically transforming youngsters, are kept a tab on, and identified. The activities having little to do with education or religion have to be contained at any cost. There is no way anyone can turn a blinkered eye to what has been happening. The decision-makers should put the right strategy in place to combat it. How such activities are financed will have to be gone into. Even if such militancy is still confined to a handful of zealots and their followers, it has to be nipped before it poses a greater threat to society.

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