Shawdesh Desk:

In the wake of fresh anti-state activities by Hefazat-e-Islam, the ruling Awami League is going to tackle the religious fundamentalist group politically to protect lives and property of the people.

Awami League is drumming up public support for dealing with the religious bigots, who have carried out mayhem across the country over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Dhaka visit to join the celebrations, marking the golden jubilee of the country’s independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her valedictory speech at the 12^th session of parliament said stern action will be taken against the religious bigots who carried out destructive activities in the name of Islam.

“Law will take its own course. They (Hefazat) are playing with fire,” Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, said adding that people will no longer allow their destructive activities.

As per the party’s tough stance against Hefazat, Awami League General secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said their party will face the instigators of the recent violence and anarchy and communal forces politically.

“There is a limit to patience and tolerance of people. You (Hefazat) will have to face dire consequences for crossing the limit. Don’t cross the limit. Awami League activists know how to give reply to them,” he said.

The Awami League spokesperson also urged the party leaders and activists to prepare a list of instigators of the recent violent activities carried out in different parts of the country.

The ruling party has taken tough stance as its 14-party alliance and people have been venting resentment over the government’s ‘silence’ over Hefazat’s destructive activities.

Police have so far filed 43 cases in connection with the Hefazat mayhem and law enforcers also taken initiative to reinvestigate previous 66 cases filed against Hefazat men on charges of violence.

As part of drumming up public support, Awami League leaders have visited Brahmanbaria and Sonargaon in Narayanganj to express their sympathy to the victims of Hefazat mayhem. They also assured the victims for bringing the culprits to book.

The party leaders also held a view-exchange meeting with the grass roots leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies to revitalize them against the communal forces.

A delegation-led by party’s joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, another joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretary Mirza Azam, liberation war secretary Mrinal Kanti Das and office secretary Biplab Barua visited Sonargaon in Naryanganj on Wednesday.

Hanif urged party leaders and activists to resist evil efforts of Hefazat if it tries to resort to anarchy in the name of religion.

“A list those involved in the attack will be prepared. Legal action will be taken against them,” he said.

An Awami League team is scheduled to visit Saltha in Faridpur today where Hefazat men torched the office of Assistant Commissioner of Land.

In a Facebook post, former Awami League organising secretary and deputy education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel warned that they know how to counter Hefazat.

“We know how to deal with a man like Mamunul Haque, joint secretary general of Hefazat,” he said.