An intelligence agency has recommended raids before the municipal polls to catch 2,029 active terrorists in different parts of the country.
Of total number of people listed, 1,121 are supporters of the BNP, says a report filed by the agency.
According to the list, 561 of the terrorists are supporters of the ruling Awami League, 211 of the Jamaat-e-Islami, four of the Jatiya Party, 10 of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), and one of the Pahari Chhatra Parishad.
Another 121 are on the list.
The 2,004-page document, attached with a two-page report, was submitted to the deputy secretary of the poll management department of the Election Commission on Thursday.
The report has identified the active terrorists, the ‘godfathers’, and those who provide shelter, giving their addresses and political affiliations.
The report says local terrorists and criminals are actively taking part in the campaigns of both mayor and councillor candidates contesting in the municipal polls.
These armed men are trying to intimidate ordinary people with a view to influencing the election result, says the report.
The list has been sent to Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and Home Secretary Md Mozammel Haque Khan ahead of polls to be held in 233 municipalities on Dec 30.
Police personnel, Boarder Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, Coastguards, Ansar and VDP and Armed Police Battalion begin their election duty on Dec 28 and will be on the field until Dec 31.
These law enforcement agencies will conduct raids apart from their polls duty to maintain law and order for a free and fair poll.
Election Commission officials said the list will be sent to the district administrations and law-enforcement agencies so that steps could taken to catch them.
According to the list, 637 people have been identified as ‘godfathers’ and shelter providers.
Of them, 211 are affiliated to the Awami League, 312 to the BNP, 77 to the Jamaat, one each to the PCP and PCJSS and 35 other individuals.
Fear of bombings and raids on centres
The intelligence agency has also expressed concern over possible bombings, intimidation and act of terror to occupy voting centres, hinder fair polling, and snatch ballot boxes.
“If they remain active, the fear of violence and loss of lives will increase,” the report has warned.
It said the anti-government criminals may also try to prevent members of the minority communities from voting.
The report has recommended immediate legal measures against the patrons of these troublemakers and their ‘godfathers’, and the seizure of illegal firearms in order to pre-empt the ccupation of the polling stations.
It also said the Election Commission should seek help from political parties.
Source: bdnews24