Activists of banned Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB) are regrouping in Satkhira, using mosques and madrashas in the rural areas, as law enforcers are yet to arrest the chargesheeted accused four months after the August 17 bomb blasts in the district.

Six chargesheeted accused in Satkhira are evading arrest. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) ASP Munshi Atiqur Rahman, also IO of five cases filed in connection with the August 17 blasts, submitted charge sheet against 17 JMB activists including JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman and JMJB chief Bangla Bhai on October 20.

Different organisations staged demonstrations in the district town to arrest the militants. On Thursday, freedom fighters under the banner of Amra Muktijoddha formed a human chain at Shahid Nazmul square protecting bomb blasts and demanding arrest of the perpetrators.

Police so far arrested seven chargesheeted accused but the 'top five' including four chargesheeted accused who recruited and organised militants in the district are yet to be nabbed.

Police said, they are hunting for the four chargesheeted accused including JMB Khulna divisional chief Fakar Uddin Raji of Patharghata, JMB Satkhira district operation chief Nayeem of Putuni, Noor Ali Member of Kullah, Momtaz of Kharibila, Asadullah of Keshabpur and Abul Khair of Satani. They are hiding since the incident, police said.

Police are also hunting for Maulana Washiqur Rahman of Taluigachha in Sadar upazila who is one of the top organisers of JMB

in the district.

Intelligence sources said that the JMB leaders are often visiting their areas in remote places in Assassuni, Tala, Kalaroa, Shyamnagar and Sadar upazilas and maintaining contact with grassroots level operatives.

They are holding secret meetings at mosques and madrashas in Pratabnagar, Khajra and Sreeula unions in Assassuni upazila; Baikari, Banshdah and Kushkhali unions in Sadar upazila; Nagarghata, Kumira Tentulia and Khalilnagar unions

in Tala upazila and Munshigonj, Gabura, Kaikhali and Burigoalini unions near the Sundarbans in Shyamnagar upazila.

Seeking anonymity, some villagers in certain areas in Sadar upazila told this correspondent that unidentified persons often visit madrasas. Students mostly from poor families are their targets in recruitment, they said.

Meanwhile JMB has sent several letters to Satkhira Deputy Commissioner (DC), Police Superintendent (SP), some UNOs, Magistrates, schools and

colleges to follow Islamic rules.

On contact, Police Superintendent Abdur Rahim said, security has been beefed in and around key installations in the district. Several check posts manned by armed police have been set up on streets around Satkhira court premises and jail. The drive to nab militants have also been intensified, he added. “Police are also hunting suicide squad members and top (JMB) cadres including Raji, Nayeem, Noor Ali member, Washiqur and Khair will arrested”, the SP said.