“Before we killed secretly, now we’ll kill openly” – Threat from terrorist Sajjad’s grandmother

Staff Reporter

After his wife, now Rehena Begum – grandmother of banned militant group Shibir terrorist Sajjad Hossain – has issued death threats against those opposing her grandson. In a viral social media video on Wednesday, she is heard saying: “Before we killed secretly, now we’ll kill openly.”

Shibir terrorist Sajjad is currently on police remand in a murder case at Chandgaon Police Station. He was arrested on March 15 from a Dhaka shopping mall where businesswoman Ruma Akhtar and her husband recognized the bounty-declared terrorist and gathered people to detain him.

In the video, Sajjad’s grandmother Rehena Begum speaks in Chittagong dialect: “Who’s this old woman? I’m Rehena. Why has the OC arrested Sajjad? Who wants his hanging?” Threatening Sajjad’s opponents, she says: “We’ll kill as many as they report. Before we killed secretly, now we’ll kill openly.” She even threatened journalists with hanging if they don’t secure Sajjad’s release.

Bayezid Bostami Police Station OC Arifur Rahman said they’re investigating the grandmother’s video.

Earlier, Sajjad’s wife Tamanna Sharmin had also threatened in a video after his arrest: “We’ll spend bundles of money to free my husband. Those involved won’t be spared.”

Police sources reveal Sajjad grew up with his grandmother after his parents’ separation. He studied till Class 4 in a madrasa, worked at a poultry shop, then joined Shibir’s militant wing. He was directly trained by top terrorist Sajjad Ali, involved in the infamous “Eight Murder” case of killing 8 Chhatra League activists in 2000.

Chittagong City Police Commissioner had announced a bounty for Sajjad’s arrest after he threatened to beat OC Arifur in a Facebook Live.

Sajjad, follower of fugitive Shibir leader Sajjad Ali, faces 17 cases including murders, arms offenses and extortion. He’s accused in three sand traders’ murders between August-October last year.

After political changes last August, Jamaat secured his release from jail along with other Shibir terrorists. Upon release, Sajjad openly threatened revenge against complainants. He subsequently gunned down two Jubo League leaders and a businessman who refused extortion.

Armed with 15-20 associates, Sajjad terrorized multiple areas including Oxygen Ananya, Shitaljharna, Kalarpul and Kuaish, primarily extorting money from construction sites and businesses.

Analysts warn that if complainants withdraw cases due to such open threats, Sajjad might walk free again and eliminate witnesses following Shibir’s standard operating procedure.