Senior RAB and police officials Thursday said that they are yet to get any information about international link with militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB), reports BDNEWS. However, they told a press conference that two people had contributed 10,000 pound to the organisation. The press conference was addressed by additional IGP Anwarul Iqbal, Rapid Action Battalion director general Abdul Aziz Sarkar and its intelligence wing chief Lt Col Gulzar. Officials said that they do not have any information about meetings between several ministers and top leaders of JMB. When attention was drawn on press reports based on Bangla Bhai's statements when he was in operation in Rajshahi area in 2004 that he had meetings with ministers and MPs, the senior officials said that the investigation is yet to be completed. They further said that dacoities and bank robberies as well as money coming from foreign connections were the main financial sources of JMB. Disclosing the findings retrieved from JMB supremo Shaekh Abdur Rahman, who is now under their custody, the RAB officials at the press conference said that the militant outfit carried out a number of robberies, including bank robberies, in 2000-2003. Apart from the money collected through the robberies, Lt Col Gulzar, chief of RAB Intelligence Wing, said that two well-wishers of the JMB provided them 10,000 pound sterling while some others also contributed cash. He would not disclose the names of the JMB patrons for the sake of the investigation. The JMB also used to mobilise funds from 'Zakat' and `Fitra' as well as other donations. About the sources of arms, ammunitions and explosives, Gulzar said two JMB leaders Abdul Awal, the son-in-law of Shaekh Rahman and Adnan Sami, a regional leader of the outfit, smuggled in the items to carry out the attacks. Replying to queries, RAB director general Abdul Aziz Sarkar and additional IGP Anwarul Iqbal said that they are yet to get any link between the JMB and arms and ammunitions recovered in Chittagong and Bogra. They said that charge-sheets in the cases have already been submitted, but "we will inform you if any link is found following interrogation of Abdur Rahman". Col Gulzar told the press conference that Rahman admitted that the bomb attacks in four cinemas in Mymensingh were carried out at his sole directive. Also, he said that Rahman admitted that the attempt on the life of Prof Humayun Azad and killing of Prof M Yunus of Rajshahi University as well as attacks on BRAC and other NGO offices were conducted at his (Rahman's) order. Asked whether Rahman admitted their involvement in Udichi and Ramna blasts, Gulzar told the news agency that the interrogators are yet to ask questions on the matter. He said that they are now emphasising on conducting operation to root out the JMB while the detailed investigation will be carried out later on. "After the conclusion of operational activities, we would go into the investigation side," said RAB chief Abdul Aziz Sarkar. The RAB is yet to start questioning JMB's second-in-command, Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital.
|