Gono Mukti Fouz (Bengali: গণমুক্তি ফৌজ, lit. 'People's Liberation Army')[1] is a left wing terrorist group in Bangladesh.[2] The organization is similar in ideology to other left-wing armed groups like Biplobi Communist Party, Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party, Purbo Banglar Communist Party (Janajuddho), and Purbo Banglar Communist Party.[3] The group is most active in South-Western Districts of Bangladesh.[4][5]
Gono Mukti Fouz has received patronage from leaders of different political parties in Kushtia. According to a leader of Gono Mukti Fouz patrons include Kushtia District Awami League unit Vice President Haji Rabiul and General Secretary Azgor Ali.[6] South Asian Terrorism Portal has described the outfit as an "Inactive Terrorist/Insurgent Groups".[7]
History
editIn April 2005, an activist of Gono Mukti Fouz, Jahid Master, was arrested by Bangladesh Police from Comilla District and taken to Kushtia District. While taking him to a location to recover weapons, Rapid Action Battalion unit were attacked. In the ensuing gunfight Jahid Master and another member of Gono Mukti Fouz were killed.[8]
On 17 March 2009, Gono Mukti Fouz distributed flyers and published a list of people it was going to kill in Kushtia District.[9] On 27 July 2010, two activists of Gono Mukti Fouz, including one former Leader of Bangladesh Mohila Awami League, were sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling weapons.[10]
Gono Mukti Fouz chief Aminul Islam Mukul was detained in India in 2010 for immigration fraud and sentenced to years imprisonment. On 1 June 2013, Rapid Action Battalion arrested his wife Sahida Khatun.[11]
On 26 June 2013, Gono Mukti Fouz tried to kidnap someone from Biharia village. Hearing the commotion the villagers gathered around the house which prompted the Fouz to shoot at the villagers killing two.[12] The Second in Command of Gono Mukti Fouz, Fazlul Haq alias Fazlu Matbor, was killed in a gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion in Kushtia on 22 September 2013.[13]
On 11 February 2016, two activists were killed in a gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion.[14] On 11 November 2016, two leaders of Gono Mukti Fouz were killed in a gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion.[15]
On 28 December 2020, a leader of Gono Mukti Fouz was arrested by Rapid Action Battalion from Kushtia District.[16]
References
edit- ^ Proceedings. Third World Conference Foundation. 1986. p. 540.
- ^ Regionalism in South Asia. Aalekh Publishers. 1983. p. 125.
- ^ Chandran, D. Suba; Chari, P. R. (2010). Armed Conflicts in South Asia, 2009: Continuing Violence, Failing Peace Process. Routledge. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-415-56444-1.
- ^ "Outlaws regrouping in SW under political cover". The Daily Star. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Extremists in Khulna region coming out of hiding". Dhaka Tribune. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Politicians, outlaws go hand in hand". The Daily Star. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Terrorism in Bangladesh". satp.org. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "2 outlaws killed in 'crossfire'". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz gives death threats". The Daily Star. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Two women outlaws jailed for life". The Daily Star. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Gono Mukti Fouz chief's wife held in capital". The Daily Star. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "Gang opens fire on villagers, two killed". The Daily Star. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Outlaw killed in Kushtia 'crossfire'". The Daily Star. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "2 Kushtia 'outlaws' killed in 'gunfight'". The Daily Star. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "2 Kushtia 'outlaws' killed in 'gunfight'". The Daily Star. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "Outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz leader held with firearms". 28 December 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2021.