The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has summoned the bank accounts of at least 35 people, including anti-India and pro-Pakistan activist Major Delwar Hussain (retd), BNP-Jamaat activist Kanak Sarwar, Jamaat activist Ilias Hossain and several bloggers, who have been involved in anti-government activities through social media.

The others whose bank account details have been sought are Sheikh Mohiuddin Ahmed, Pinaki Bhattacharya, Mahmudur Rahman, Shipon Kumar Bose, Tuhin Malik, Mir Jahan, Saniur Rahman, Rabindra Ghosh, Gabindra Chandra Pramanik, A.K.M. Wahiduzzaman, Asaduzzaman Nur and Asif Mohiuddin and Golden Manir.

"We call for the bank accounts of those who have been questioned, or who have been charged, or who have been investigated by law enforcement," BFIU chief Abu Hena Mohammad Razi Hasan said on Friday.

Delwar, Sarwar, Hossain and many others have been questioned, and that is why we are checking their bank accounts, he added.

Hasan said that the bank accounts of those pople and many others are being checked.

In its letter, the BFIU has sought details of account opening, the latest transaction, KYC Form and transaction profile.

BFIU sent several letters to banks on November 22. In addition, four more separate letters have asked for the accounts of 18 more individuals and one organisation.

Earlier this month, Bangladesh's Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) had termed stories recently circulated on social media by a few retired army personnel against personalities and the Bangladesh Army as "unrealistic and motivated".

"They are trying to confuse the Army members and the people by collecting conversations of dignitaries from various sources and making up stories through cut and paste, constantly tarnishing the image of the country and the force," it said, adding that these people's "repeated unruly behaviour justify their status as persona non grata declared by the Army".

The members of the Bangladesh Army and the country's people do not believe in these stories or statements as these are "fictional and devoid of morality" and "reject them with hatred".

"Bangladesh Army is determined to uphold sovereignty and integrity of the country. Created through the great war of liberation on the hand of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, this 49-year-old force is now professionally efficient and mature."

"Every member of the Army is always ready to sacrifice their life with a smile to defend the constitution and sovereignty of the country. Inspired by the spirit of the liberation war, the army personnel are preparing themselves through advanced training and working with great success in the country and beyond borders," the statement said.

(IANS)