Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh

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Jāgrātā Muslim Jānātā Bānglādesh (Awakened Muslim Masses of Bangladesh), also known by the acronym JMJB, is an Islamist organisation based in Bangladesh, especially around the country's north-western region. The Government of Bangladesh has classified JMJB as a terrorist organisation. It is reported to be affiliated with al-Qaeda though there have never been any proof or confirmations of this claim. The organisation was the feature of a January 2005 New York Times article based upon the rise of Islamic radicalism in Bangladesh. It was also responsible for a series of suicide bombings in Bangladesh.

The group is led by Siddiqur Rahman, also known as "Bangla Bhai", and Shaykh Abdur Rahman. Both of them are wanted by the Bangladesh Government for terrorism. Several lesser leaders, for example, the head of the military branch, have been captured.

Formed in the late 1990s, JMJB came into spotlight through its murder spree in the North-western region of Bangladesh. Soon after, in 2004 the organization was banned by the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government and measures were taken to eradicate its missions and presence. Its captured activists have stated that they were trained and hoped to join their Jihadist comrades in Afghanistan and Iraq in fighting against the U.S.-led coalition and the democratic political establishments in place within those countries.

Their leaders include Bangla Bhai, Shaykh Abdur Rahman, Shaykh Abd as-Samad as-Salafee and Dr. Asadullah al-Ghalib. The JMJB is extremely critical of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, which it deems as heretical due to the latter's participation in the Bangladeshi political establishment and patronization of secularism and sacrilege of Islamic values and principles. After the Government of Bangladesh proclaimed a large prize for the capture of Bangla bhai. On 6 March 2006, Bangla bhai was captured by police and Rapid Action Battalion in Mymensingh District ^[1]

[edit] Linkages

Not much is known about the outfit’s external linkages although Maulana Rahman claimed in an interview on 13 May 2004, that "My travels abroad are no secret. We don't have links with any foreign organisation." He also added that "We don't have direct links with the Taliban either. The Taliban wanted to establish the ideals of Allah. They did their part with courage."

Reports indicated that the JMJB is supported by certain members of the ruling Bangladesh National Party (BNP). The former Deputy Minister for Land, Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, was allegedly linked to the outfit. The first rally of the JMJB was reportedly addressed by Bagmara's BNP Joint Secretary, Besharat Ullah, indicating the degree of support that the vigilante outfit enjoys within the ruling coalition.

According to the New Nation, while the Cabinet Committee on law and order led by Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiya ordered the arrest of Bangla Bhai for taking what they said law in his own hands, the three ministers belonging to Rajshahi – Aminul Haq, Fazlur Rahman patal and Ruhul Kuddus Dulu – opposed the police action saying the JMJB were on a ‘pro-people mission’ freeing the northern region from the left-wing extremists.

JMJB also enjoyed support among certain sections of the Police. For instance, Noor Mohammad, Divisional Inspector General of Police in Rajshahi, reportedly told Daily Star on 5 May 2004, that Bangla Bhai and his operatives were assisting the law enforcers in tracking down the left-wing outlaws. According to him, "We've asked police stations to support them whenever they go to catch outlaws." Reportedly, he justified such an action by indicating that "You know Sarbahara [left-wing extremists] men have been quite active in the region for many years and it is not possible for the undermanned and under-equipped police to hunt them down. Aziz [Bangla Bhai] is now helping us."

The JMJB chief Maulana Rahman is known to have visited Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He has allegedly secured help from Saudi charities to build some mosques and seminaries, from where the group is known to operate.

Media reports also indicated that the JMJB is akin to JMB that fought with the police from a secret training camp at Khetlal in Jaipurhat district in August 2003. After the gun-battle, a number of its cadres fled, leaving behind many documents indicating the outfit's subversive plans. Although police could not then arrest Rahman, they detained his brother Ataur Rahman Ibne Abdullah and 18 other militants. A few days later, police released the militants and the higher authorities allegedly transferred several police officials involved in the Khetlal operation. Rahman was quoted in The Daily Star on 17 May 2004, as saying, "our workers from Bogra, Jaipurhat, Rajshahi, Rangpur and other adjacent areas gathered in Khetlal to attend a meeting. But conspirators misled the police saying militants have gathered there. Police raided the place on wrong information. But they did not find any firearms."