Md Joynal Abedin Khan with Abul Kalam Azad :
At least 614 reported extremists from 15 districts are prepared to surrender to the law enforcers tomorrow (Tuesday) in order to return to their normal life.
They will formally surrender their arms to the law enforcing agencies in the presence of the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on the ground of Shaheed Amin Stadium in Pabna, reports our Pabna Correspondent quoting Sheikh Rafiqul Islam, superintendent of Police, Pabna district.
The extremists from different organisations, including Purba Bangla Communist Party, Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party and Purba Bangla Lal Pataka Party, are allegedly involved in anti-social activities, including extortion, murder and kidnapping. They have already been taken to the police custody for maintaining legal process, the police official said.
He said the government has taken initiatives for rehabilitation of the extremists so that they can return to their normal life. The extremists from Pabna, Natore, Sirajganj, Bogra, Rangpur, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Tangail, Kushtia, Rajbari, Khulna, Satkhira, Faridpur, Bagerhat, and Jashore will handover firearms, the police official said.
After the surrender, the extremists will be sent to the jails as per congenial law under the high alert security of the law enforcers, the SP said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan confirmed the surrender information at an event in Mirpur’s Police Staff College on Sunday.
The Home Minister said that the extremists will submit themselves into the authorities through a ceremony in Pabna. “At one point, about 30 to 40 years ago, extremists wielded a lot of power in Bangladesh. They used to occupy separate zones from which they would create unrest. Their numbers have gradually decreased and they’re becoming weaker by the day,” according to the minister.
“The extremists have confessed their crimes and agreed to surrender to the Home Ministry. They felt embarrassed for their past activities and pledged to return to a normal life. We have given them an opportunity and they will surrender in Pabna on Tuesday,” he said.
About the assurances to be given in exchange of the surrender, the minister said, “They will surrender like the pirates and forest robbers. If they promise not to engage in criminal activities in future, they will receive legal assistance from the government.”
