Outlawed Islamist militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team has threatened State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, two lawmakers from Natore and 18 prominent personalities of the district with death.
The hit list was issued on Thursday in a letter to Sadar MP Shafiqul Islam Simul, Natore Public Prosecutor Sirajul Islam, Natore Press Club General Secretary Dulal Sarkar, district BCL President Rakibul Hasan James, former BCL general secretary Shafiul Azam Swapan and local Chhatra League leader Bablu.
“I have received the letter through the post around 11am Thursday and filed a general diary with Sadar police station,” Dulal said.
In addition to the six, Lalpur-Bagatipara lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad, Sadar upazila Chairman Shariful Islam Ramjan, district unit Awami League Joint Secretary Golam Mortaza, Natore Press Club General Secretary Dulal Sarkar, Awami League Organising Secretary Ad Malek Shiekh, MP Simul’s APS Akramul Islam Akram, Bangladesh Mohila Awami League Jubo League Joint Secretary Kuheli Kuddus Mukti, former district BCL president Abdullah Al-Sakib Baki, Noldanga upazila unit Awami League President prof SM Firoz, Awami League leader Shahidul Islam Bakul, Bonpara Municipality Mayor HM Jakir, Natore Municipality Councillior Arju Sheikh, former Sadar upazila vice-chairman Asad, Singra Municipality Mayor Jannatul Ferdouse and Singra upazila unit Awami League leader Bhola were also threatened.
The letter said a new hit list would be published after the aforementioned people are murdered.
Press club president Rezaul Karim Reza condemned the death threat and urged the authorities to arrest the culprits.
When asked, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said: “There is no scope to ignore the threat of a militant organisation. Law enforcement agencies have already been informed about the matter.”
Natore 1 lawmaker advocate Abul Kalam Azad said the militant organisation might have issued the letter to get media coverage.
“I have taken note of the matter. There is no reason to be anxious. We are looking into it,” Natore Superintendent of Police Shyomal Kumer Mukherjee said.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
