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BNP MPs hail govt move, doubt home secy's role

Staff Correspondent
A number of ruling BNP lawmakers from the northern region have said the government crackdown on ' -Islamist militants is 'too late' and expressed doubts about the success < of the operation as well as keeping ' the incumbent home secretary in . his position.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, thelawmakers blamed thchome ; secretary for not helping the government initiate in time steps against emergence of fundamentalist. SEE PAGE 11 COL 1 FROM PAGE 1
groups. He misguided the home ministry by suppressing information, they thought.
The home secretary's alleged patronage of fundamentalist groups and his links to Jamaat-e-Islami are also being discussed by many lawmakers.
They said although the government finally cracked down on militants in the wake of pressure from the donors and diplomatic quarters, the drive must continue until uprooting these groups.
"I requested the prime minister and the home minister one and a half years ago to initiate steps against emergence of Islamist militants in the northern districts. But the government did not respond. I am very happy it has finally taken steps," BNP lawmaker from Rajshahi Abu Hena told The Daily Star.
"Everybody knows their activities as they marched through the streets in Rajshahi city," he said pointing to a procession brought out by Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB).
Former army chief and BNP
lawmaker from Dinajpur Mahbubur Rahman said, "I hope the government will continue the operation against the emergence of criminal groups whatever their identities."
Abdul Mannan Talukdar, party lawmaker from Sirajganj, said he had asked local leaders of his party, and police administration to keep a watch on activities at local madrasas. "There was no activity of militants in Sirajganj," he mentioned.
Another BNP lawmaker, Syed Manjur Hossain from Nababganj, said police are now taking action against militants. "It is badly needed to keep law and order under control."
On the government's previous denial of activities of the JMJB and other fundamentalist groups, the lawmakers observed the government was misguided and misinformed about the facts.
"The government should have initiated action long before to tackle the situation but it has been too late," a senior BNP lawmaker said seeking anonymity.