Hefazat demands ‘price of 100 camels’ as compensation for each killed activist

Leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam have demanded the price of 100 camels as compensation from the government for each Hefazatmember killed in clashes with the police in Chattogram and Brahmanbaria.

They have demanded a total of Tk50 crore as compensation, including Tk40 crore for 20 leaders and activists killed in separate clashes, from the government. 

Hefazat leaders made the demand at a protest rally on Chattogram's Hathazari Dak Bungalow premises on Friday. Hefazat-e-Islam Hathazari upazila branch organised the rally in the wake of the deaths of their activists in clashes across the country.

Enamul Haque Farooqui, assistant publicity secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam Hathazari upazila unit, said, "According to Islam, the compensation for killing a person without any reason is 100 camels or its price. At present, the price of a camel in Bangladesh is Tk2 lakh. As such, the price of 100 camels is around Tk2 crore. The compensation for 20 martyrs is about Tk40 crore. This compensation must be paid by the government."

Speaking as the chief guest at the rally, Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam AllamaJunaidBabunagarisaid, "The government has to pay compensation to the leaders and activists of Hefazat who were martyred on last Friday, Saturday and Sunday across the country. The government will have to take responsibility for the medical treatment of the leaders and activists of Hefazat who were injured in the attack of Chhatra League and police."

"Besides, false lawsuits filed against Hefazat leaders and activists across the country must be withdrawn," he said. 

Babunagari claimed that on 26 March, police in Hathazari opened fire on madrasa students in a planned manner.

He said, "What is the proof that those who threw stones at the police station were madrasa students? There were many other people. But the police took to the streets and fired directly at the students. Why did the police shoot? These are planned conspiracies."

Nasir Uddin Munir, joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, said, "I strongly protest against those who have spoken ill of Hefazat after the killing of 20 people. At the same time, I am demanding compensation for those who have accepted martyrdom. If they are not compensated, and if our future programmes are obstructed, then we will give an appropriate answer."