An outfit named Islami Liberation Front sent a hit list of 10 dignitaries, including teachers, politicians and journalists, of Rajshahi to Natore Press Club yesterday.
Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Muhammad Mizanuddin, Rajshai City Corporation’s former mayor and central Awami League leader Khairuzzaman Liton, Rajshahi district Awami League General Secretary Asad, Rajshahi Sadar lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha, journalists Shibli Noman, Anu Mostafa and Kazi Shahed, freedom fighter Barjahan Ali Shahjahan, daily Sonali Sangbad Editor Liaqat Ali and daily Sunshine Editor Yunus Ali were on the list.
In the letter containing the list, Islami Liberation Front said it had launched a mission to kill the 10.
A postman handed over the printed letter, which mentioned the president or general secretary of Natore Press Club as the recipient, to the caretaker of the club around 1.30pm.
Rezaul Karim Reza, president of the club, said the club’s General Secretary Dulal Sarker got the letter around 2pm and informed journalists as well as police of it.
“Police will seriously look into the matter so that the letter cannot spread panic,” he said.
Shyamol Kumar Mukherjee, Natore superintendent of police, said police had launched an investigation after being informed of the letter by the press club authorities.
“But the letter contains no specific name or address of the sender. Any militant group could do this to have its own interests served.
“But police are always on alert to protect the lives and properties of the people. We have taken the matter seriously and are looking into it,” he added.
Rajshahi Journalists Union President Kazi Shahed, who was on the list, said he was not worried about the death threat.
“A certain quarter is trying to create panic among people by sending such letters,” he added.
Islami Liberation Front also said in the letter that establishing Islamic Khilafat, and re-establishing complete faith and belief in Allah in the country’s constitution are among its objectives.
In November last year, Ansar al-Islam issued death threats against State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and seven other eminent personalities of Rajshahi.
A letter containing the names of the targets was sent to the office of the daily Sunshine.
The other targets were Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Muhammad Mizanuddin, Rajshai City Corporation’s former mayor and central Awami League leader Khairuzzaman Liton, author Hasan Azizul Haque, Rajshahi range Deputy Inspector General of police Iqbal Bahar, Rajshahi Education Board Chairman Professor Dr Abul Hayat, Rajshahi city Awami League General Secretary Dablu Sarker and daily Sunshine Editor Yunus Ali.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
