Mufti Abdul Hannan is the main accused in the case for attempting to kill the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2000 by planting a powerful bomb at her public meeting venue in Kotalipara. He was hiding till he was arrested by Rab in Dhaka on Saturday.

This correspondent visited Hiron on Monday and talked to some villagers.

Octogenerian Sonam Uddin Munshi, a relative of Mufti Hannan, said he heard about Hannan's arrest by RAB in Dhaka.

"Several times I heard stories about Afghan war against Soviet soldiers during speeches by Mufti Hannan in Waj Mahfils (discussion on religion) at different Madrasas. It was exciting when Hannan described how he fought against the Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan", he said while talking to this correspondent at a tea stall in the village.

Hannan's elder brother Alimuzzaman Nannu used to introduce himself as a Mujahid from Afghan war during discussions at different Madrasas in Kotalipara, he said.

Mufti Hannan's father Noor Mohammad Munshi was chairman of Peace Committee in Kotalipara during the Liberation War. He was killed by the freedom fighters soon after independence, Sonam Uddin Munshi said.

"What Almighty does is always good. Every sin has a limit", Sonam Udding Munshi commented.

Jalil Munshi, a farmer, said, "It is a shame for us that we are the residents of Hiron".

Haseeb Sheikh, a businessman said, "We are very happy with the arrest of Mufti Hannan. He has brought only bad name for the village".

Mufti Abdul Hannan Munshi is the second of 10 children of late Noor Mohammad Munshi. His elder brother Alimuzzaman Nannu is the principal of Adarsha Cadet Madrasa at Ghaghorkanda village, established by Mufti Hannan in 1998.

Kamruzzaman Matin Munshi, another brother of Mufti Hannan, is a businessman at Ghaghor bazaar in Kotalipara. It was alleged that Munshi Kamruzzaman Matin, under the alleged protection of BNP, was also engaged with Harkatul Zihad. He contested for the post of commissioner of Kotalipara Pourasava but failed.

On September 20, Kotalipara police arrested Kamruzzaman Matin, his brother former BCL leader Anisul Islam Munshi, suspecting their involvement in the August 17 serial bomb blasts.

After interrogation, Matin was released from police station but Anisul Islam Munshi was sent to jail.

Mufti Hannan's brothers Mohibullah alias Mofiz Munshi and Iqbal Munshi, a Krishak Dal leader, are also engaged in business. His four sisters -- Habiba, Chaina, Nasima and Hashiare housewives.

The case (no. 5/2000, G.R. no. 57/2000 of Kotalipara) filed against Mufti Hannan and others for planting the 76 kg bomb at Sheikh Hasina's meeting venue is pending with the court of District and Session Judge, Gopalganj.

Others accused in the case are Mohibullah alias Mofiz Munshi (younger brother of Mufti Hannan)), Munshi Ibrahim, Mahmud Azahar alias Mamun-ur-Rashid, Rashed (driver of Hannan's car), Md. Shah Newaz, Md. Hasan alias Abdul Wadud, Wasim, Kamal Uddin Shaker, Anisul Islam Munshi (another younger brother of Mufti hannan)) and Sarwar Hossain (his sister-in-law). Later Kamal Uddin Shaker was dropped from the case.

Mufti Hannan is also an accused in another case for bomb blast at Baniarchar Catholic Church in 2001in which 10 people were killed and 50 injured.

Back home from Afghanistsn in 1990, Hannan launched the Islamist militant Harkatul Zihad. He was the first Ameer of Gopalganj district of the organisation.

His brothers, sisters-in-law and relatives helped him launch it, sources said. He established a Cadet Madrasa on the bank of Shailadah river at Ghaghor, where he used to train youths.

He used to run activities of Harkatul Zihad from his Sonar Bangla Soap Factory on the western bank of Modhumoti river in Gopalganj.

Mufti Hannan's brother Iqbal Munshi said he was going to be the president of Kotalipara Upazila Krishak Dal. "Everything has been completed and a formal declaration is waited".

Noor Alam Hazra, husband of Hannan's nephew is president of Upazila Sechhasebok League and Organizing Secretary of Krishak League.