Photo : Collected
In the name of the quota reform movement, billions of money have been sent from expatriates outside the country to support agitations across Bangladesh. These funds have been distributed through Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing, Shibir, and the leaders of the Gano Odhikar Parishad. Investigators have confirmed that money has been regularly sent from five countries under various banners. They have identified donors from the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarker stated that the terrorists carried out their activities in three stages: will power, planning, and execution. To finance these activities, they collected money from abroad through various channels. Efforts are underway to identify the individuals who facilitated this funding and the methods they used. Some individuals have already been identified. The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami intended to topple the government by exploiting the movements of young students.
“We risked our lives to thwart their conspiracy. Now, we are uncovering who was involved and how they collaborated. We will spare no one involved in these incidents.”
Meanwhile, concerned parties report that expatriate Bangladeshis have long been sponsoring saboteurs on behalf of local and foreign conspirators. They provided significant amount of money to make the recent quota reform movement violent.
According to intelligence sources, funds were funneled to the vandals through Mobile Financial Services (MFS). The Joint Member Secretary of the Gano Odhikar Parishad, arrested by the RAB, received 16 lakh taka. His role was to coordinate activities in the Rampura and Badda areas. Incidents such as the fire at the Rampura traffic police box, the vandalism of the BGB's APC, and other acts of sabotage were executed under his direction. He maintained regular contact with a France-based YouTuber who held him in high regard, as they hailed from the same village. A senior BNP leader in London also communicated with him via video calls. After a dispute with Student Rights Council Convener Nurul Haque Noor, pro-BNP leaders chose him for these tasks.
Additionally, leaders of the camp in Hasanabad, Keraniganj, near the capital, admitted that they received funds from expatriates. These funds were transferred through mobile banking.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sources, money has been collected from at least 30 pro-BNP businessmen to carry out the sabotage. The arrested persons have already leaked the names of those businessmen to the investigation concerned. But almost half of the withdrawn money was kept by the withdrawers. Half the money went to the vandals. And many times they kept the whole amount themselves. The face-to-face interrogation of financiers, coordinators and implementers who are currently in remand has revealed such sensational information.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Investigation) Mohammad Harun Or Rashid said, “we have received a lot of important information from the arrested. Saiful Islam Nirob, Tuku, Majnu and other former student leaders used to take money from pro-BNP businessmen. Many of the financiers are top BNP leaders and businessmen. Tarique Rahman in London used to tell the names of those people.”
Director of Law and Media Wing of RAB Lt. Colonel Munim Ferdous said, “we have received a lot of important information regarding the implementation of sabotage. Information was also obtained about the route of how the money reached the saboteurs. These are now under scrutiny. However, our campaign continues to bring those involved in the sabotage to justice.”
During the quota reform movement, Dhaka has experienced widespread devastation due to attacks and arson. Violent assaults on various government buildings have severely impacted the city. The metro rail service was halted following an attack on a metro station. Important documents were destroyed in Setu Bhawan and the Health Directorate. Furthermore, internet services were disrupted due to arson at a data center, and Bangladesh Television in Rampura was targeted.
Two metro rail stations were left in ruins by vandals. Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), monitors, and various indicator boxes were damaged, rendering the TVMs unusable. Attackers also stole computers used for passenger service and maintenance, making the stations inoperable for passengers. It is estimated that it will take at least a year to reopen these two stations, though financial losses have yet to be fully assessed.
The entire Setu Bhawan was set ablaze by miscreants, and at least 55 vehicles were destroyed in the fire. Additionally, critical documents related to projects such as the elevated expressway and Padma Bridge were damaged. The Ministry of Bridges has formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident.
The fire at the Health Directorate's office destroyed essential documents, while production equipment, including motorcycles and cars, was reduced to ashes at Bangladesh Television's Rampura building, with 20-25 cars burned. The data center fire disrupted internet services across the country.
In Mirpur, the car of the Dhaka Divisional Director, along with a bus, was destroyed in a fire at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) building. Extensive damage was also reported in Mohakhali Toll Plaza on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Mirpur Indoor Stadium, the Banasree office of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), and the Drug Administration Building in Dhanmondi.
According to sources, the attackers specifically targeted police and journalists. The protesters, who had joined the quota reform movement, were involved in these targeted attacks as part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize the government. Such attacks and acts of violence require substantial financial resources, which have been sourced from various countries and individuals.
Messenger/Fameema
