Satkhira, Bangladesh - Religious bigots gear up for besieging the Ahmadiyya complex at Sundarban Bazar in Shyam Nagar tomorrow to demand a government move declaring the sect non-Muslim.
At least 5000 supporters of the anti-Ahmadiyya campaigner International Khatme Nabuwat Movement (IKNM) will take part in tomorrow's programme, said Arman Sardar, convenor of the IKNM Shyam Nagar chapter.
IKNM leaders at a rally in Shyam Nagar yesterday said they will try to avoid anything untoward. But if anybody tries to foil the programme they will give them a befitting reply. IKNM Nayeb-e-Amir Mufti Nur Hossain Nurani presided over the rally attended by a number of central leaders of the outfit. After the rally, a motorbike procession was brought in the upazila headquarters to drum up support for the siege.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Satkhira Md Ilias and Superintendent of Police Abdur Rahim visited the Ahmadiyya complex yesterday. Sources said that in addition to 200 policemen about eight platoons of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members have already been stationed in the area to maintain law and order. The district administration has also asked the higher authorities to deploy Rapid Action Battalion.
Sources at the district administration however said the measures taken by the police so far are not enough to ward off violence. If the IKNM supporters do not co-operate, it would be hard for them (police) to avert disorder.
Fearing deterioration of law and order, leaders of different political parties including Awami League (AL), Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), Communist Party of Bangladesh yesterday asked the district administration to act promptly to ensure security of the Ahmadiyyas.
Members of the civil society yesterday held a rally at Shyam Nagar Bus Stand. They condemned the IKNM's threat to lay siege to the Ahmadiyya mosque and urged the law enforcement agencies to keep an eye on the IKNM operatives.