Hefazat threatens to paralyse country

Hefazat-e-Islam's Central Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque on Sunday threatened the government of paralysing the whole country if any of their activists is attacked further.

"People across the country are spontaneously observing hartal at the call of Hefazat. They have cut off communication with Dhaka across the country. No long-distance vehicles were seen on the road," Mamunul said during a rally at Baitul Mukarram premises today.

The top Hefazat leader claimed, "The hartal was going on peacefully all over Bangladesh since morning. But the government's law enforcing agencies have attacked our activists and many were injured in the police-BGB firing in the capital's Signboard area."

"Besides, Hefazat's Mudhupur Ameer Abdul Hamid was shot in today's protest. It is a shame for the country," Mamunul added.

"Hefazat leaders and activists have peacefully taken up positions everywhere. No car was set on fire anywhere," he claimed.

"The activists of the ruling party are trying to politicise our movement by setting fire to various places. The Awami League had no programme, but the activists of Awami League, Juba League and Chhatra League attacked Hefazat men," said the Hefazat leader.

 "Actions have to be taken against the attackers all over the country including Dhaka. Legal action must be taken against them. We want revenge for death of our activists. We want justice for these murders. If we don't get justice for all these bloodshed, there will be a tougher movement in the coming days," Mamunul warned.

He also called upon the leaders and workers to observe the strike peacefully till 6 pm.

"Many of our leaders and activists have been arrested. They must be released by this evening. If not, more strict programmes will be announced," he said.

Hefazat leaders will hold a press conference at 5pm today.

However, the leaders and activists of the Islamist group turned violent in some parts of the country on Sunday during their daylong hartal.

They vandalised and set fire to several vehicles in Dhaka and Rajshahi, attacked government offices in Brahmanbaria.

Hefazat leaders will hold a press conference at 5pm today