Simon Denyer’s series on Bangladesh continues. Today’s focus is on Rajshahi – home of Bangla bhai.

The power and organisational ability of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, (the Party of Holy Warriors) came as a shock to Bangladesh — and to the rest of the world. But in Rajshahi district in the country’s wild west, their extreme views and brutal sense of drama came as no surprise at all.
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In February, under international pressure, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen was banned, and since the Aug. 17 bomb blasts 400 suspects have been arrested.

Bangla Bhai and Rahman are on the run. Police have released photographs and offered a reward for Bangla Bhai in one of the biggest manhunts in the country in years.

But in Rajshahi, there is not much confidence he will ever be caught. Says Press Club Secretary Saidur Rahman: “This drive to arrest him is just theatre”.