Cases against Hefajat men soon: Inu

Footpath bookshops are in raging flames after Hefajat-e Islam supporters torch those during a clash with law enforcers in in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital on Sunday evening. Photo: STAR

Footpath bookshops are in raging flames after Hefajat-e Islam supporters torch those during a clash with law enforcers in in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital on Sunday evening.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Monday said the government was preparing to file cases against Hefajat-e Islam activists for rampaging through the capital.

Possible charges against Hefajat leaders and activists include murder, vandalising and torching vehicles and looting shops, Inu said in a press conference at the ministry.

“Hefajat-e Islam is acting as an agent for Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir,” he said.

The minister said its goal is the same as Jamaat-Shibir which had been trying to foil the trial of the war criminals.

The government has been lenient toward Hefajat till now, as rubber bullets, teargas shells and sound grenades were used instead of metal bullets while evacuating the activists from the Motijheel area.

However, activities like Sunday’s anarchy would not be tolerated at all, said Inu.

“Cases will be filed against every Hefajat activist involved in the attacks. No one will be spared.”

He said the government will set up a fund for the shopkeepers whose shops were looted and torched by Hefajat activists on Sunday.

Source: The Daily Star