"We have deployed seven platoons of policemen in Naogaon alone. If such clashes (between JMJB and PBCP) take place despite sufficient police deployment, you (journalists) can say police are inactive", Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Rajshahi Range, Noor Muhammad said.

But Rajshahi Superintendent of Police Masud Mia rejected the villagers' fears saying, "There is nothing called Bangla Bahini (JMJB cadres), it is the villagers themselves who united against outlaws after remaining hostage to them for years".

Earlier, JMJB men during their May 22 showdown in Rajshahi city also chanted slogans like 'There is no Bangla Bhai, we (villagers) are Bangla Bhai'.

Meanwhile, the dreaded JMJB operations commander Bangla Bhai has reportedly changed his name to 'Kandu Bhai'.

A JMJB leader was quoted as saying, "He (Bangla Bhai) has changed his name to Kandu Bhai as he had once fought against the US-led alliance force in Kandahar of Afghanistan."

The DIG said, " All incidents of killing and tortures between April 1 and May 31 by JMJB cadres will be investigated just as we are hunting down the underground operatives."

He reiterated Bangla Bhai will be 'arrested at any cost'.

"All police stations, particularly those in Rajshahi Division, have been notified for arresting Bangla Bhai at sight," said the divisional police chief.

But he admitted police have no information about Bangla Bhai till now.

Sources said the JMJB leaders police picked up on Monday -- Hemayet Uddin Himu and Abul Master -- were released yesterday.

On allegations that police were not recording cases on JMJB torture, the DIG said he would take action if the victims of torture informed him about this.

He told reporters police superintendents of Naogaon, Rajshahi and Natore were asked to probe all incidents of JMJB atrocities in Atrai, Raninagar, Bagmara, Puthia, Durgapur and Naldanga. "If the victims' families do not dare to file cases, police will file cases," he added.

The DIG had earlier declared an award of Tk 50,000 for information about Bangla Bhai.

Talking to The Daily Star, the DIG who took charge when JMJB vigilante operation against outlaws already started, however admitted 'police inaction' led to such a situation.

The SP termed newspaper reports on JMJB activities exaggerated and advised the media 'not stand against such activities'. He asked, "Why don't you (journalists) inspire villagers to unite against outlaws so that they can kill them (outlaws) on sight?"