Following the arrests of two suspected Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorists in Murshidabad by the Assam Special Task Force (STF), BJP leader Arjun Singh has criticized the West Bengal police, alleging widespread Jamaat support within the state’s civic volunteer system.
Arjun Singh’s Allegations
Singh claimed that the majority of civic volunteers in West Bengal are sympathizers of the Jamaat.
“You will find a Jamaat terrorist in every police station. Ninety per cent of the civic volunteers who check our passports are Jamaat supporters. It’s unfortunate that the Assam police are capturing terrorists in West Bengal. They work for the country while the West Bengal police only work for the state and the party,” Singh told media.
Murshidabad Arrests
The Assam STF, in collaboration with the West Bengal STF, arrested two suspected terrorists, Abbas Sheikh and Minarul Sheikh, in Murshidabad’s Hariharpara on December 19. These arrests highlight cross-border terrorism concerns in the region.
Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen Operative Apprehended
Separately, Javed Munshi, a suspected member of the banned terror group Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM), was arrested in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district in a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the West Bengal STF.
Munshi, 58, was apprehended near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Canning while allegedly planning to cross into Bangladesh under the instructions of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives. The Alipore Court granted his transit remand until December 31 for further investigation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Seized Evidence and Background
During the arrest, police seized a book, a CD, a plastic bag, and several documents from Munshi. Public Prosecutor Vikash stated that Munshi was reportedly working to revive the Muslim League.
“One person, named Javed Ahmed Munshi, 58 years old, was working with the purpose of reviving the Muslim League… From his possession, one book, one CD, a plastic bag, and several documents were seized. The court allowed transit remand up to 31st December,” Vikash said.
Munshi’s Terror Links
Munshi, an expert in IEDs and weapons handling, is accused of involvement in various terror activities, including the 2011 murder of Shaukat Shah, a leader of the Ahl-i-Hadith. He has a history of using fake Pakistani passports to travel to Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan under the instructions of his handlers.
Security Implications
These arrests underscore the growing security challenges in West Bengal, raising concerns over cross-border terrorism and the effectiveness of local law enforcement. The BJP has demanded stronger measures to combat terrorism and criticized the West Bengal government for its alleged lax approach to handling such issues.