Jamaat-Shibir-backed 'underworld' in Chittagong faces a shaky situation as a number of its cadres either were killed in shootout with police or rival factions or had deserted the party.

Also, seizure of some sophisticated firearms including AK-47, Ak-56 and M-16 from its cadres by law enforcing agencies has dealt a blow to the party. Some notorious criminals emerged in the party taking advantage of the politics of arms and terrorism and became major source of strength for Jamaat-Shibir politics in Chittagong for quite a long time.

The Jamaat leadership is so much concerned and contemplating to reinvigorate the party, including the underworld, here ahead of the next parliamentary elections, sources said.

Particularly, the defection of Ahmadul Haq Chowdhury alias Ahmadya, a top terror in South Chittagong, came as a serious blow to Jamaat. He was instrumental in keeping up the stronghold of Jamaat-Shibir in Satkania and south Chittagong over the years.

A Jamaat leader in Satkania, who recently joined BNP along with Ahmadya, said, "So far as I know Jamaat, a fundamentalist party, and Shibir, largely dependent on its underworld which is passing a bad time, will try to regain the position at any cost."

In fact, the Jamaat-Shibir leadership is heavily dependent on the arsenal of its strong cadres and terrorist syndicates in Chittagong, he said. The syndicates under the umbrella of political 'godfathers' operate in different areas in the city and district. They are involved in abduction, extortion, robbery, loot, arms dealings and killings for the party interest, he added.

Interestingly, whenever a top terror or cadre got arrested, killed or defected, the leadership disowns the fall guys. It happened in the case of Ahmadya, whom everybody knows as big factor for Jamaat in Satkania and south Chittagong.

Shibir Nasir, Gittu Nasir, Habib Khan, Sajjad Khan, Ahmadul Haq alias Ahmadya, Humayun, Yakub, Baittya Alamgir, Delwar Hossain alias Azrail Delwar, Hamidullah, Five Star Jasim, Saiful Islam alias Chhota Saiful, Baittya Yousuf, Bilai Saiful, BDR Selim, Bhagina Ramzan, Taslimuddin Montu, Monzur Alam and Sarwar Alam have emerged as the infamous leaders of 'Chittagong underworld'. They also figure prominently on the list of identified criminals.

They were also directly involved in most of the gruesome and sensational killings in Chittagong, said police sources.

Among the victims of the killings were: Awami League and Jubo League activists Shyamol, Jafar and Didar in 1991; Omar Ghani MES College BCL leaders Enam, Shahid and Mansur in 1997; AL leader and ward commissioner Liaqat Ali Khan in 1999; Eight BCL leaders in 2000; BCL leaders Abul Kashem and Abu Taher in 2000; Principal Gopal Krishna Muhuri in 2001 and former Chittagong port chairman Commodore Golam Rabbani in 2004.

However, some recent incidents have weakened the 'underworld'.

The defection of Ahmadya along with his few thousand followers was a major setback for Jamaat. Leadership could not take it lightly. Shibir cadres attempted on his life twice in less than four months.

At least 11 top criminals of Jamaat-Shibir are now behind the bar and four were killed in encounters with police or murdered by the rivals.

Of them, Shibir Nasir, Sajjad Khan, Five Star Jasim, Baittya Alamgir, Taslimuddin Montu, Baittya Yousuf, Azrail Delwar, Shipon, Babul, Monzur Alam and Sarwar Alam are now in jail while Humayun and Yakub were killed in encounter. Hamidullah, injured during encounter, died in police custody. Chhota Saiful was gunned down by his rival Gittu Nasir.

Besides, seizure of sophisticated arms from the possession of arrested cadres was also a major concern for the leadership. The pro-Jamaat crime syndicates possessed 40 to 50 heavy arms like AK-47, AK-56 and M-16 ten years ago. It has been reduced to almost half in recent time following successful police operations.

Only four of the top criminals are now outwitting law-enforcing agencies. Gittu Nasir, convicted with death sentence in Principal Muhuri murder case, Habib Khan, convicted with life-term in Principal Muhuri murder case and chargesheeted accused in commissioner Liaqat murder case, BDR Selim and Bhagina Ramzan are now operating from underground.