Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
A total of 561 organisations, mostly sponsored by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have come under intense intelligence watch in view of their allegedly financing local militant outfits.
These organisations include financial institutions, hospitals, business firms, educational institutions and coaching centers, according to the Home Ministry officials.
“The national intelligence agencies have been advised to intensify their watch on Jamaat linked organisations as they are reportedly giving money to several militant groups to fuel terrorism in the country.” a senior Home Ministry official told The New Nation on Sunday on condition of anonymity. They have also been asked to keep constant watch on the key officials of these organisations and verify their income and expenditure accounts.
The official further said that these organisations have long been working as centers for local radical groups which believed to have Jamaat connections. Earlier, the intelligence agencies have submitted a list of Jamaat linked organisations to the Home Ministry upon instruction from the government high-ups.
“The list has been prepared based on field level intelligence gathering. The fact is that the listed organisations are linked with Jamaat. And they are acting as helping hands of local militant groups,” noted the Home Ministry official.
Quoting intelligence report, he also said, these militant outfits are responsible for the killings of bloggers, publishers and police and bomb attack on Shia procession. When asked, he said, “We are not sure that these groups are aligned with the transnational terrorist groups. Investigation is on to find out their international connection”.
According to him, these groups earlier lost ground as the government had taken tough stance against them. But the recent incidents suggest that they are trying to regroup taking financial support from Jamaat backed organisations.
“We have reports that they are also receiving funds from abroad. Some western charities reportedly linked to terrorism are allegedly providing funds to them to fuel militancy here,” he added.
The organisations which come under intense intelligence watch include Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Islami Bank Hospital, Islami Bank Medical college, Islami Bank Craft and Fashion, Ibn-Sina Medical College and Hospital, Keari Limited, Mission Developers, BD Foods, Keari Tours and Travels, Youth Group, Islamic Finance and Investment, Islami Insurance Company Limited, Focus, Concrete and Concept.
