DB arrests 2 extremists with ammo

Staff Reporter:

The members of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) locally known as ‘Sarbahara Party’ have started regrouping again in the sprawling Jamuna Chars and greater Chalan Beel area in Sirajganj, Natore and Pabna districts ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election.
Though, the election date has not yet been confirmed, they have already engaged in various anti-social and criminal activities including extortion, robberies, kidnappings and murders to notify their presence and establish supremacy in the area.
The members of banned organization have also reared their heads in remote places including Ranirhat of Sherpur upazila in Bogura, sources said.
The activities of the banned outfit came down significantly after 105 of its cadres surrendered to police at Katagari Bazar in Tarash upazila of the district in 2007.
The terror is back again just after July-August uprising centering the upcoming national polls. Their main targets are rich businessmen, affluent farmers, contractors and teachers.
They are also involved with recruiting new members secretly to expand their activities.
Disguising as labourers, rickshaw-pullers and travellers, the extremists gather several information at day time and come down on their targets after sunset. Of them, highway robbery is their main among several other targets. Most remote areas of greater Chalan Beel and shoals of the Jamuna river including Kazipur, Chowhali, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur, Ullapara, Tarash and Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district, Gurudashpur, Natore sadar and Singra upazila of Natore district and Bera, Santhia, Ataikula, Sujanagar, Bhangura, Atghoria and Chatmohor upazila of Pabna district have now turned into their safe heaven, locals said.
They further said, armed cadres sometime patrol in different villages and hat-baza’ars at night to establish domination in order to influence the politics and upcoming national election. They also carry campaign in favour of some influential political leaders to create panic among voters, though the election date is yet to declare.
It is to be mentioned that, the PBCP men attacked Randhunibari and Bamihal police outposts, looted firearms and ammunitions in 2002 and 2005. At that time, four cops were also killed in their attacks.
Detective Branch (DB) of police in a drive on Sunday afternoon arrested two persons along with two live ammunitions from Kodder Morh (intersection) area in Sirajganj Sadar upazila.
The arrested are: Rabin Kumar Karmakar, 32, son of Babul Kumar Karmakar of Rajapur village in Belkuchi upazila and Toufique Sarker Babu, 34, son of Saiful Islam of Chandaikona Purbapara village in Raiganj upazila of the district.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of DB police raided Kodda area and arrested them along with the ammunitions.
Ekramul Haque, Officer in Charge of DB police in Sirajganj said, “It is being apprehended that, they have a link with the outlawed PBCP or Sarbahara.”
The OC further said, “We have come to know that, the members of banned BPCP or Sarbahara Party have started to regrouping again with the aim to carry illegal activities including robbery, kidnapping, snatching and killing in different remote areas including Jamuna Chars.”
“We targeted to arrest Bappi alias Panna, 40, son of Khorshed Alam, who hailed from Bhuapur village in Tangail district and currently is residing in Chala village of Belkuchi upazila in Sirajganj district as he is active member of the banned BPCP or Sarbahara party. But, we failed to nab him. Earlier in 2023, Bappi, surrendered to the Home Minister with the interference of RAB. But, he has come forward to reorganize the banned organization again. Sensing the presence of police, he managed to flee the scene during the drive,” the OC added.
Police also said, the arrestees had been carrying various crimes including stealing, stanching, highway robbery and kidnapping at different places under the leadership of Bappi alias Panna. The arrested Rabin is also accused of three cases including for arms.
Shariful Islam, SI of DB police also filed a case with Sadar police station in this connection. Later, the arrestees were sent to prison through the respective court.
Seeking anonymity, a high police official said, if necessary steps are not taken right now against those outlaws, they may be cause of security threat in future. This is why; drive against such extremists will be continued.