Members of the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) started grilling the second-in-command of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) at Rab-1 headquarters on receipt of permission from a Mymensingh court.

Sources said the interrogators are quizzing him primarily to know about whereabouts of the JMB leaders and activists on the run, stockpile of explosives, and operations that might follow the recent crackdown on militants.

Law enforcers said the militant kingpin, who also used to spearhead the vigilante campaign of Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB) in the northern districts, might have some significant information that the JMB chief or other top leaders may not know.

The interrogators may bring Bangla Bhai face to face with JMB chief Abdur Rahman and Majlish-e-Shura members Ataur Rahman Sunny, Abdul Awal and Hafez Mahmud to match his statements against those of the others.

Currently, Rahman and the other detained Shura members are also being interrogated by the TFI.

A cognisance court of Mymensingh placed Bangla Bhai on a 10-day remand. On his release from Bangladesh Rifles hospital yesterday morning, he was taken to Mymensingh under escort of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police.

Security was stepped up in Mymensingh town, especially in and around the court area since early morning, reports our Mymensingh correspondent.

The militant leader clothed in a bulletproof vest and helmet was produced before the Cognisance Court No. 2 of First Class Magistrate Atiqur Rahman at about 11:45am.

The magistrate placed him on a 10-day remand. Sub-Inspector Fakhruddin Bhuiyan of Detective Branch petitioned for the remand to interrogate him in the case filed with Muktagachha Police Station for assaulting the law enforcers.

Immediately after the court order, police and Rab men drove Bangla Bhai back to the capital.

Meanwhile, there was a spontaneous outpourings of hatred of the dreaded militant ideologue when he was put in the dock. The local lawyers spat at him when he was being taken to the prison van.

After Bangla Bhai's capture from Rampur in Muktagachha on March 6, SI Nazrul Islam of Rab filed three cases against Bangla Bhai and others with Muktagachha Police Station.

Of the cases, one was for carrying explosives, another for firing on Rab members and the other for barring the elite crime busters from discharging duties.

Shortly after a helicopter flew him in the capital from Mymensingh, Bangla Bhai was taken to the BDR hospital for treatment of burns and other injuries he sustained trying to resist the capture.

Officer-in-charge of Muktagachha Police Station Sheikh Mahbubur Rahman filed a sedition case against him, JMB chief Abdur Rahman and five other members of JMB Majlish-e-Shura with a Mymensingh court on March 16 as per the home ministry orders.

KHULNA

Court of First Class Magistrate Nazmul Huda Shamim on Monday evening accepted supplementary charge sheet in a case filed for attempting to kill Awami League leader Tarapodo Poddar on August 16, 2002. Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai are among the accused in the case, our Khulna correspondent reports.

The police had arrested Bangla Bhai and five others for the attempt on the lives of Tarapodo and his family members. But after a couple of months, Bangla Bhai got out on bail.

The court on November 8 last year ordered reinvestigation into the case following a petition filed by complainant Tapan Poddar, son of Tarapodo.

The supplementary charge sheet was submitted after reinvestigation on February 14.

SYLHET

Shabbir Ahmed, who was captured in the capital after recovery of a chequebook in his name from JMB chief's den in Sylhet town, made a judicial confession on Monday regarding his complicity with transferring money for JMB activities.

A man named Farid Uddin gave him money for handing over to Rahman's men in Sylhet, Shabbir said in his statement made before a magistrate.

Shabbir's friend JMB activist Moizul Islam Chowdhury alias Hridoy Chowdhury, who was caught with Rahman on March 2, was also shown arrested as he was the middle man in the transaction, investigation officer Sub-inspector Saiful Amin said yesterday.

"I will submit a fresh prayer for remanding Hridoy after the end of his remand in other cases," he added.

The JMB men and family members of Abdur Rahman, who were remanded for the second time for 10 days, will be produced before the Sadar magistrate court on completion of their remand today.

Sylhet Superintendent of Police said there is no need for their fresh remand.

A police contingent from Sylhet Kotwali Police Station left for the capital last night to bring JMB men Hridoy Chowdhury and Abdul Aziz Hanif, Abdur Rahman's wife Nurjahan Begum, his daughter Afifa Rahman and

Hridoy's wife Chameli back to Sylhet.

RAJSHAHI
A case was filed accusing 12 persons including Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, BNP leader Idris Ali and two policemen for murdering former Durgapur upazila AL Vice-president Azhar Uddin Pramanik.

A magistrate court asked Durgapur police to investigate the complaint of Abul Kashem, brother of the victim.

Bangla Bhai and his men inspired by Kismat Gonokour union BNP Vice-president Idris Ali kidnapped Azhar on April 19, 2004. Later Azhar was taken to Koyamajampur police camp where he was severely tortured and hung from a tree. He succumbed to his injuries on March 18 this year.

Other accused persons in the case are -- JMB leader Mostafizur Rahman alias Killer Mostaque, the then sub-inspectors of Durgapur police station Abdur Razzak and Majharul Islam, imam of Zamlai mosque Osman Gani, JMB cadre Emdadul Haque, his son Enamul Haque, Abdul Matin, a teacher of Dhokrakul Madrassa in Puthia, Helal Uddin and Saiful Islam.

Kashem, the plaintiff who is also a freedom fighter, alleged that the BNP leader was angry at Azhar over a case accusing him of capturing government ponds on 14 bighas of land.

As JMJB started its operation in April 2004, Idris called Bangla Bhai to Zamlai mosque and labelled Azhar as an outlaw leader. On the following day, as Idris and Osman Gani pointed out Azhar to them, Bangla Bhai and his men kidnapped him.

Kashem said Azhar was tortured while hung from a tree in front of the police but they did not protect him.

DHAKA ARREST
Rab men yesterday arrested JMB cadre Akkas Ali in the capital's Badda area and seized some books and leaflets on jihad from his possession.

Tipped off, a Rab team raided 'Saudia Vila' at Cha-34/5 and arrested Akkas who hails from Bunia village of Betagi upazila in Barguna.