The letter, which was signed by the group's central muballigs (preachers), Abdul Latif and Mutallib Hossain, was sent to the post box at the Rajshahi Press Club.

"We demand that our leader Dr Galib be released immediately," the letter reads. "The government should forget the dream of arresting Bangla Bhai and Abdur Rahman."

It declared five political leaders here to be 'murtad' and threatened them with death if the demand was not met by March 24.

It also threatened with death foreigners visiting Rajshahi as well as journalists, and vowed to launch its actions against the law enforcement agencies.

The letter could not be verified immediately, but a senior police official said that the matter might have been the work of a vested quarter. "Yet we are taking the matter seriously and have beefed up the city's security."

"Dr Galib, an envoy of Islam, and our other members held across the country, including at Gaibandha, Chapainawabganj, and Bogra, should be released by March 24," the letter continued.

"If our demand is not met, we will launch a militant drive in Rajshahi and elsewhere in the country. The government and Rajshahi DIG Noor Muhammad will be responsible for all the damages resulting from our activities," it read.

"We will hit first at those who bring us forth. Murtad Sardar Amjad Hossain of Jatiya Party, Murtad Fazle Hossain Badsha and three other Murtad Awami League leaders (unnamed) who are brokers of India will be killed".

"If any government agencies such as the police, cheetah, kobra, BDR, or Rab - hinders our actions, attacks will be launched on them too."

"Our words are not derived from any extremism; we have made our decision in very cool blood. We are also announcing that those who are foreigners and enemies of Islam in Rajshahi will also be killed at the proper time and opportunity."

"We are not any extortionists' group. We have taken these decisions all over the country."

Addressing journalists, the letter said, "We have been compelled to take these actions to protect Islam and to establish the rule of Islam in Bangladesh. We hope you will not dishearten us."

"You have written many words against us; many more you will write in the future. If you do not publish our press release, the divine order may follow you as it did many journalists in Khulna."

The letter ended with a slogan, 'Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh Jindabad.'