DHAKA: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two fugitive activists of banned outfit Harkatul Jihad (Huji) in separate raids in Comilla and Mymanshingh.

The arrested Abul Kashem and Abdul Haque are among the 41 who were convicted of possessing illegal firearms and explosives, said the RAB officials in a press conference Monday noon at RAB Head quarter.

RAB sources said, on information, their intelligence wings arrested Abul Kashem in a raid at Kandargaon Madrasha of Meghna Thana in Comilla at around 9pm.  The other absconder Abdul Haque was later captured on Monday morning from Valuka Bazar in Mymansingh, sources added.

The Cox’s Bazar district special tribunal sentenced 41 activists of Huji life imprisonment after they had been arrested from Ukhia Thana in Cox’s Bazar on February 19, 1996 with firearms and grenades.

But they received bail from the High Court without strong objection from the prosecution.

Later, the HC commuted their sentence to 12 years imprisonment. In the mean time, some of the Huji members fled away.

BDST: 1920 Hrs, June 21,2010
MHQ/PB/SMS