The 'Phantom' again!

The JMJB and its leader, the so-called Bangla Bhai, have reappeared after lying low for some time. Its nefarious activities, including taking up the law into their own hands and administering their own justice, and even putting some of their rivals to death, had been highlighted by the press, not least of all in these very columns. Regrettably, all suggestions to act against this cadre and rein them in have fallen on deaf ears. In fact, the government has displayed a very ostrich-like attitude in respect of Bangla Bhai and his men.

It is not that this group has appeared out of the blue, unbeknownst to the law enforcing and intelligence agencies. Their misdeeds, carried out with complete impunity, force us to one unpleasant conclusion, which we hope is wrong; and that is that so-called Bangla Bhai has political linkage.

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We are at a loss to comprehend the reluctance of the authority to acknowledge the reality of the existence of the JMJB, about which even the law enforcing agencies have offered different explanations at different times. Prevarication, when explanations were sought of the authority, has reinforced the impression that this cadre will be a hard nut to crack, for very obvious reasons.

The government high-ups need to take note of the fact, if they have not already done so, that the beat of this cadre is increasing by the day, as evident from their declared intention of taking on the law enforcing agencies, while the authorities' inaction has allowed the leader of the group to acquire almost a cult image amongst his supporters. This does not augur well at all for us.

We feel, the government cannot but take into account the strong public sentiments against this group and put Bangla Bhai and his cohorts behind the bar.