Bangladesh
Hefazat Violence No compromise with Hefazat-e-Islam: Amir Hossain Amu
Dhaka, April 24: Amir Hossain Amu, a member of the ruling Awami League's advisory council, said Hefazat-e-Islam leaders were being arrested on specific allegations.
He said he wanted to know the views on the recent arrests of Hefazat leaders and the government's position.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhaka on March 26 to attend the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. Hefazat staged protests in different parts of the country in protest of the visit, which at one stage turned violent. Eighteen people lost their lives in this violence.
Law and order forces have started arresting Hefazat leaders in various cases filed in these incidents. Besides, the accused in the case filed on May 5, 2013 in connection with the violence at Shapla Chattar are also being brought under the law. Hefazat's central joint secretary general Mamunul Haque is also among those arrested.
Amir Hossain Amu said, "People of Bangladesh are religious. They know Islam as a religion of peace. But in the name of religion, Hefazat is doing wrong. People were surprised by their actions. What they are doing using religion is oppression. They are conspiring to overthrow the government in the name of demands. This is not acceptable in any way. The government is dealing with this force at its own pace. No compromise. No compromise. This time the government will suppress the anti-politics of Hefazat with its own power."
Asked whether Hifazat has been empowered politically, the former minister said, "BNP-Jamaat is using Hifazat as a strategy to topple the government. They have supported Hefazat out of anti-Awami attitude. I think this is the misery of their politics. Hefazat also wants the fall of the government by falling into the trap of BNP-Jamaat. They are opposing the government in the name of protection of Islam. The BNP has provoked Hefazat in a planned manner. We will not tolerate this."
