How are the Purnimas in Bangladesh?

How are the Purnimas?

Baby Maodud, Daily Jugantor, May 21st, 2007

An English Translation

Reader, you haven’t forgotten Purnima, have you? I am talking about Purnima Shil, you know the (Hindu) girl who used to live in the small village of Purbadulia in Uttarpara, Sirajgunj. Can you recall the girl who was an A student in the Ulapara Hamida Pilot High School?
That’s right, she was working as a volunteer for an ‘Awami League’ party candidate on October 1st, 2001. And what a crime it was? Do you remember October 8th, only a week after the election? As the day fell, a group of ‘Terrorists’ (*1) set upon Purnima’s dad, Anil Shil and unleashed a brutal assault on him. They later set upon Purnima’s mum and, two of her siblings and, broke into their home and took to looting the contents of the Shil household.
Purnima sped towards their neighbour Policeman Ismail’s house to seek help. But Ismail’s wife Sufia Begum started verbally abusing her with profanities- Purnima was thrown out of the house. The terrorists lay in wait in front of Ismail’s house.
Eight of them grabbed Purnima, picked her up and carried her off to a nearby farmland and took turns in brutally raping her. A bunch of feral beasts unleashed a torrent of sexual violence on this child- the one who cherished a dream, the one who had the brainpower, and the one who was determined to excel in life. She had seen her parents struggling for survival, felt the pain and suffering her younger brother and sister were going through. Purnima was the brave one who wanted to lift the family out of poverty. And then this! The Shame with The Filth from these beasts threw a dark blanket over Purnima. (*2)
Reader, you couldn’t have forgotten that picture of Purnima- tears rolling down the cheeks of her small face covered by her soft little hands. Our conscience woke up on that day of shame, our shame, as never before. After the incident, Purnima filed legal charges. During her deposition, she described ‘everything’ and named all the Terrorists.
Then entered the scene- who else but the newly elected local MP of “Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)” – he tried to sweep it under the rug. He offered money to Purnima’s dad to have the case withdrawn. But young Purnima showed her mettle and said, “I have lost everything, I want justice”
We are still waiting for the judgment day.
Reading Purnima’s deposition was chilling as we sensed the unbearable torture consuming Purnima when she spoke.
Purnima gave her deposition before a First Class Magistrate, Anwar Hossain Howladar. She said, “My name is Purnima Rani Shil. Last Monday, October 8th, It was around 2.00 -2.30 pm, I went to Doctor Bablu’s house to give private tuition to his daughter & his nephew. My mum was running a fever. She asked me to come back soon so that I can cook some food for sending on to my brothers. On my way back I heard Altaf mocking me. “Are you going to cook something for me”? I was scared, didn’t answer him back, and hurried back home. It would have been about 4.00 –4.15 pm. After that I cooked some rice and fish, and asked my dad to take it to my brothers. It was 6.0- 6.30 pm by then- there was no electricity at that time. Dad left home with the food and took a flashlight with him. After he went a short distance, ‘they’ started beating my dad near the Policeman Ismail’s house. We have never seen any one beating our dad before. My brother Gopal came running to tell us that my dad was being badly roughed up.”
“He asked my mum to have some money on her to pay for any medical treatment needed for my dad. When my mum & my brother asked me to accompany them, I told mum that I have homework to do for the school. She said it wouldn’t be safe for me to stay alone because ‘they’ can strike anytime. So we left home together. The electricity was now back. As we came near Policeman Ismail’s house, ‘they’ set upon us. I received six blows to my back. My mum got a vicious beating. After receiving a couple of blows, my brother fled. After the beating, I escaped and hid behind the row of banana trees in Policeman Ismail’s house. ‘They’ started looking for me with a flashlight. Sensing more trouble, I ran to Sufia, Policeman Ismail’s wife, and I cried, “Save me, sister, please save me.” Sister Sufia, shouted back at me, ‘You are a bad girl, why are you here, get out of my house’. Kismet was watching TV at the time. I urged Kismet, ‘Brother Kismet, please save me.’ Kismet got hold of me only to shove me out of the house towards ‘them’.”
“Immediately ‘they’ grabbed me on the other side of the street. The lights were turned off in Ismail’s house at that time. But I knew ‘their’ voices- the voices of Altaf, Jalil, Mannan, Malek, and Hayven. ‘They’ lifted me up and carried me off on ‘their’ arms towards Hatkhola in Purbadulia. Then ‘they’ dropped me on a farmland flat, next to a vegetable plot. Almost 12 to 13 of ‘them’ pressed my body down as Jalil & Altaf begun raping me. I could see the criminals in the flashlight ‘they’ were then using. That aside, I knew ‘them’ all - ‘they’ all lived in my neighbourhood. Altaf, Jalil, Mannan, Malek, Litton, Rezaul, Rauf, Hayven, Majnu, Asif, Momin, another Altaf, Bablu, Jaharul, Hossain, Yashin, Abdul & a few more – ‘they’ were all there at the time. When they first grabbed me & then abducted me, I had started screaming but they soon pressed my mouth shut. They choked me on the throat. “
“Fazal’s son Altaf took out the gold ring from my finger. I do not know who took out the silver bangles from my arms. It was some time later when Sadhan, Asim and Akbar Member arrived at the scene and rescued me. At the time when ‘they’ were taking me away, my younger sister came out of the house running towards us; Malek & Mannan beat her up.”
“I am due to take my S.S.C. exams from Hamida Pilot High School. My dad knew very little about this whole incident up until the point I was preparing to come here for my deposition. My father was taken ill and I was sick, too. I was under Doctor Dilip’s treatment. When my father heard about the incident, he tried to dissuade me from coming here and to think about the family honour and the consequences that may harm our family. But why shouldn’t I come? I have lost every thing. I want justice.”
I met with Purnima and her mother a few days back. The family is living in great distress. They look battered, bruised. They cannot live in their ancestral village because of the harassment and the threats. The legal case has still not recommenced. Every bit of vegetable, fruit, bamboo shoot and the rest are stolen from their land and, yet the Shil family cannot live in their own home. This is something! More than one can cope with.
The Shils have managed to find a shelter in the town of Ulapara. Purnima’s older brothers now work from a makeshift barbershop (*3) on the sidewalk. There seems to be little security and peace in sight. Purnima’s older sisters work as part-time maid in some households that buy them one square meal a day (*4). The family has become a target in the community due to the gang rape perpetrated on Purnima (*4).
In the meantime, Purnima has passed her secondary & higher secondary education board exams, and is now studying at a technical institute. She is looking forward to earning a degree. This would qualify her for higher studies in Digital Technology leading to a professional career. So far Purnima has been receiving assistance from some local and international human rights organizations. She receives a bursary from Bangabandhu Memorial Trust. “I couldn’t have survived without these help.” She uttered those words with a lot of belief in her own self but one can feel that a sharp pain is still hurting her inside.
A metallic still surfaced on her face, “Why shouldn’t I get justice? Why (because of me) my family has to live this sub human existence? What is their crime? Why can’t they live in their own house? Why shouldn’t those criminals receive their due punishment? My life has been ruined, but I want my family members to live in peace, and without fear. This is my appeal, this is what I want.”
No doubt such words from Purnima are bound to touch everyone. One suspects that during the time of BNP & Jamat, the legal case was suppressed due to directives received from their coalition Government. Because of powerful local interests, the police was pressured into taking no action against the criminals. As a result, the case is still unresolved. The accused criminals move about with impunity, issuing threats, and intimidating Purnima’s family members.
When a female member of any family is preyed upon and become a victim of rapists, the family tends to face isolation and further suffering in the community. On top of that if there is no legal justice, it becomes practically impossible to exist in the community (*5).
On January12th, 2007, the Chief Administrator, Dr Fakruddin Ahmed, delivered his address to the Nation- he said that his administration would take drastic measures against those who commit crimes against women. In this context, he further asked for the joint & effective actions from the State and the affected communities. We want to see Purnima’s face lighten up a little. We know, the inhumane torture & pain she has suffered would haunt her for the rest of her life, but are we so helpless ourselves that we cannot even bring a ray of hope and a touch of comfort in Purnima’s life?

.
Notes:
(1) “Terrorists” or “Santrasees” in ‘Bengali’ are people who terrorise their local community targets (especially minorities) and commit atrocities on them including killing, maiming, raping, ransacking or destroying their properties or temples
(2) As if, “Purnima”, the night of the full moon, was turned into ‘Amabassya’, the dark Moonless night.)
(3) Any permanent structure to work from is raided and demolished by the terrorists.
(4) Purnima’s brother in law has deserted her sister and her two kids. And to heighten the tragedy & injustice, Purnima’s dad has died recently.
(5) Most ‘individual female rape victims’ or ‘group rape’ victims and their families fear further retribution at the hands of the terrorists and refrain from bringing charges against them. For instance, there has been no justice for the 200 gang raped in a single night in Char fashion, Bhola (Nov 2001 Daily Star- “The night of the lost nose pins”.) And it would be interesting to see how long it takes in a more recent case- for the family of teenager Barnali Ghosh, a student, to get justice
http://hrcbmdfw.org/blogs/khulna_division_news/archive/2007/08/09/740.aspx
On Barnali Ghosh (Daily Amar Desh 13 July 07)

Gang Rape and Murder of Minority Hindu Girl in Bagherhat, Bangladesh

HRCBM Investigative Report

Investigator: Advocate Rabindra Ghosh, HRCBM-Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ms.Barnali Ghosh (19) was a regular college student studying Accounting department of Khulna Government Azam Khan Commerce College. She was reported to be a brilliant student stays at College Hostel. Her father – Bipul Chandra Ghosh (50) and mother- Ms.Susuma Rani Ghosh ( 35) permanently residing at interior part of a village – Chitra within Rampal Police station of Bagerhat district of Bangladesh. They have got other three younger daughters passing their lives with scanty income. Barnali came to her native home on 28th June, 07 from College hostel 2 days before missing from her home at night on 30th June, 2007.

Father of the victim Bipul Chandra became unsuccessful getting trace and informed the police about his daughter's missing on 3.07.2007 and made a general diary number 96 at Rampal police station stating the circumstances how she was missing at night on July, 1
Police did nothing to investigate the matter and kept abduction concealed.
After 11 days of her abduction the mutilated dead body the victim girl traced in nearby garden belonging to Jalil Munshi. The local people informed the police and recovered the mutilated/defaced dead body from nearby garden. Perpetrators/ abettors of crime thrown acid on the dead body with a view to conceal/deface and also to divert the attention of peace loving people of the area and the media of such nefarious incident of gang-rape with murder.
Father Bipul Chandra Ghosh lodged F.I.R. (First information Report) at Rampal police station on 11.07.2007 after identifying the dead and her wearing costumes. Bipul primarily noted two suspects in the FIR and police took case under section 364/302/201/34 of Penal code being Rampal P.S. case no. 11 dated 11.07.2007.
Police arrested two suspects till writing of this report.But it is reported from reliable sources that they are trying to divert the attention in a wrong direction.
HRCBM-Dhaka is preparing a detailed report soon and it would be sent to you.

News Report: The Daily Amar Desh

Publication date: 13th July 07.

RAMPAL (BAGERHAT), July 13: Melted dead body of a missing school going girl of Rampal upazila was recovered. It was learnt according to the police and the family of the missing girl that Barnali Ghosh, daughter of Bipul Chandra Ghosh of village Chitra under Rampal upazila and also a 1st year student of Accounting department of Khulna Government Azam Khan Commerce College went missing from her home at night on June 30 last. On the day of occurrence, when Barnali came outside of her home to attend the call of nature at about 12 midnight then some perpetrators caught hold of her and then took her to a garden 60-70 yards away from her house and there the perpetrators repressed her brutally and then killed her by suffocation and left her dead body there. After 11 days of the incident, a woman named Soma during cutting grass saw the melted dead body of Barnali and then Soma informed Barnali's father and then Barnali's father traced the dead body of Barnali.
On information, police reached the spot, investigated the incident and taking preparation to send the dead body for post mortem. Dead Barnali Ghosh stayed at Jahan Ali Hostel. She came to the house on June 28, two days before she went missing. A case was lodged in this connection with the local police station on July 1.
It is apprehended that more perpetrators gang-raped the college student and killed her brutally

Urgent Appeal: False case and arrest warrant against HRCBM's human rights activist

Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)
P.O. Box 5493
Santa Clara, CA 95056-5493
USA
Ph: 212-592-3627 (VM)
Fax: 215-434-6804
http://www.hrcbm.org/ , http://www.hrcbmdfw.org/ , http://www.hrtribune.com/
http://quandaryreflection.blogspot.com/
Email: info@hrcbm.org

[NGO in Special Consultative Status with UN]


URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION

Urgent Appeal
7th August 2007


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UA-001-2007: BANGLADESH: Arrest Warrant Against Advocate Rabindra Ghosh President of HRCBM-Dhaka Chapter, Bangladesh

BANGLADESH: False case, Arrest Warrant against Human Rights activist


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Dear friends,



The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), a Human Rights and humanitarian organization and an NGO in special consultative status with UN has received a report from it’s Dhaka chapter, in Bangladesh, regarding the alleged arrest warrant against it’s president of local chapter advocate Rabindra Ghosh. It is reported that annoyed by the investigation of Advocate Rabindra Ghosh for the recovery of historic Bhabani Temple at Bogora, Upazilla Nirbahi Officer filed the case against our renowned human rights activist alleging that advocate Rabindra Ghosh is involved in malicious activities against the state. Police has given 24 hours notice based on the warrant and requested advocated Rabindra Ghosh to comply.

CASE DETAILS:

Combined Armed forces of Bangladesh demolished Mandir structure of “Sree Sree Ma Bhabani Temple “ at Bhabanipur Sherpur-Bogra District on Feb 13, 2007 in the name of unauthorized structure. Decree and order of the high court was violated. Pujari (worshippers) and Office bearer manhandled. Sanctity of historic temple desecrated.

Detailed Report available at http://hrcbmdfw.org/blogs/rajshahi_division_news/archive/2007/02/22/617.aspx

HRCBM-Dhaka has received an appeal dated 20th February,07 from historic Bhabanipur Mandir Committee to-day that their Temple structure situated at Bhabanipur within Sherpur P.S. of Bogra District of Bangladesh has been demolished in the name of unauthorized structure on the government property on 13th February,07 without any lawful authority and most illegally. One Dulal Talukder- Treasurer of Bhabanipur Mandir Committee has been manhandled by Major – Shafique of Armed forces while Dulal objected not to demolish the rest houses built for Foreign Guests. The Pujaris and victims are now staying under the open sky. On receipt of information HRCBM-Dhaka led by advocate Rabindra Ghosh communicated with Mr.Abdul Gani – Deputy Commissioner-Bogra , ( 01713202455) Mr.Zamil Ahmed – Superintendent of Police, Bogra, (01713202455) Mr. Ferdous – Upazila Nirbahi Officer (01715041951) Major –Shafique (01717600501) and the Officer-in-Charge Mr.Shafiqul Islam (01713374069) over their Cell telephones. All the executives admitted that they have demolished unauthorized structure occupied by the occupants. But on careful scrutiny of the documents available with the Committee members it has been found that all the documents are genuine and the demolished property is a “Debottor Property” deity’s property as per judgment and decree of the Civil court vide Other Suit No. 39 of 2002 pronounced by Md. Atiqur Rahman, Joint District Judge, Court No.1 Bogra dated 31.08.05.
The Judgment of court is as follows: -“ that the suit be decreed on contest against the contesting defendants and exparte against the rests without cost. It is hereby declared that the land of shecule “ka” to the plaint measuring 17.31 acres is the Debottor property of the Deity Sree Sree Ma Bhabani and it is not the khas land of the government. It also declared that if any document is executed and registered by the government-defendants in respect of the said suit-land in favor of any third party will be treated as void, inoperative, illegal and of no legal effect.”The above court’s order has been communicated to the administrative authority in time for necessary records and action. But it is unfortunate that the local administration most illegally land without any legal authority with active collusion with government officials demolished the structure of Mandir premises which caused a serious tension amongst the Minority Hindu communities of Bhabanipur-Sherpur P.S. Bogra.
HRCBM-Dhaka talked with O.C. Sherpur Police station and apprised him the situation, but the O.C. only noted down HRCBM’s concern in his general diary entry No.662 dated 20-02.2007, but he did not take any remedial measures till writing of the report. On that day, a Colonel Mostafizur Rahaman from Bogra made a telephone call to Advocate Rabindra Ghosh and he wanted to know as to why advocate Ghosh is so much interested with the matter relating to demolition of Mandir premises. Advocate Ghosh politely told him that, as there is court’s order, no administrative authority have got right to intervene with the Debottor Property. Henceforth, the act committed by the Armed forces is illegal and without any lawful authority. Mr. Mostafizur became angry with Advocate Ghosh and warned him not to instruct any officers in future during their course of official works.
As the case developed and recovery of the historic temple progressed, annoyed local official along with the help from joint armed forces filed the case against Advocate Rabindra Ghosh alleging his work anti state. Today (7th August, 07), police knocked the door of Advocate Rabindra Ghosh giving him 24 hours to comply with arrest warrant.



Malicious Intention of Bangladesh Law Enforcement Agency

With sheer disappointment we have to assert that despite interim Government’s good intention to uphold rule of law, a group of officers within armed forces, local administrations and police in Bangladesh are misusing emergency power to confiscate land and indulge in rein of terror against minorities in the country.
The arrest warrant issued by local Magistrate in a false case against our renowned human rights activist Advocate Rabindra Ghosh is just another example of the grand design to annihilate minorities of Bangladesh and prevent rights advocacy for the marginalized people of Bangladesh.



SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please immediately write to the relevant authorities listed below demanding an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into this case. Please urge them to arrest the alleged perpetrators and bring them to justice as soon as possible.

Sample letter:

Dear _________,

BANGLADESH: False case and arrest warrant against Human Rights activist Advocate Rabindra Ghosh
Name of victim: Advocate Rabindra Ghosh, President HRCBM-Dhaka Chapter, Bangladesh

Alleged perpetrators: Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, District Commissioner and Colonel Mostafizur Rahaman, Joint Armed Forces.

Date of incident: Reportedly arrest warrant was issued today dated 7th August, 07.

I am deeply concerned by the false case and alleged arrest warrant against President of HRCBM-Dhaka, Bangladesh and well known human rights activist advocate Rabindra Ghosh.
According to the information I have received, the victim was given 24 hours to comply by Bogra police personnel who visited advocate Ghosh’s house this morning.
In light of the above, I strongly urge you to:

1. Immediately order an impartial and thorough investigation into this case and bring the alleged perpetrators before Justice.
2. Provide appropriate compensation and legal remedies to the victim’s family as well remove all cases against advocate Rabindra Ghosh.
3. Take all necessary measures to guarantee physical and psychological integrity of advocate Rabindra Ghosh.
4. Order immediate removal of all charges in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international law and standards.
5. Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Lastly, I urge the Government of Bangladesh, as a state party to the Convention Against Torture (CAT), to strictly implement the convention into local level and criminalize torture committed by its law enforcement officers without further delay.
Yours sincerely,



PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Dr. Fakhruddin AhmedChief Adviser
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Chief Advisor Tejgaon
Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 8828160-79, 9888677Fax: +880 2 8113244 or 3243 or 1015 or 1490

2. Barrister Moinul Hossain
AdviserMinistry of Law,
Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000 BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7160627 (O)Fax: +88-02-7168557 (O)

3. General Moeen U Ahmed
Chief of Army Staff
Bangladesh Army
Army Headquarters
Dhaka Cantonment
Dhaka
BANGLADESHTel: +880 2 9870011Fax: +880 2 8754455

4. Barrister Fida M Kamal
Attorney General of Bangladesh
Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562868Fax: +880 2 9561568
5. Mr. Nur Mohammad
Inspector General of Police (IGP)Bangladesh Police
Police Headquarters'
Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562054 or 7176451 or 7176677Fax: +880 2 9563362 or 9563363

6. M. Humayun Kabir
Ambassador Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC 3510,
International Drive NW
Washington, DC 20008, USA
Telephone: (202) - 244 – 0183Fax :(202) - 244 - 2771/7830

7. Prof. Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Mr. Safir Syed
c/o OHCHR-UNOG1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230Fax: +41 22 9179016 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TORTURE)

Legacy of Bangladeshi politics:

Legacy of Bangladeshi politics:
Wed, 2007-06-27 02:35

http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6299

BY Rabindranath Trivedi - Reporting for Asian Tribune from Dhaka
Part 2: Birth of Islamist Terrorist in Bangladesh
TIME magazine: Alex Perry had in 2002 written an article entitled “Deadly Cargo” in which he termed Bangladesh as a safe haven for Islamic terrorists, including al-Qaeda. Bangladesh government banned the issue of TIME and termed Perry’s article as a’ fictitious thriller’ and a ‘figment of imagination’.
TIME magazine in its issue on August 10, 2004 under titled “A Democracy is Shaken” reiterated that in a divided nation an attack against Bangladesh’s Opposition party leader marks a new low.... Bangla Bhai, who has told the Bangladeshi press that he is committed to establishing a Taliban-style Islamic government in the northwest of the country, remains at large.
TIME Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 reported: For three years, a wave of bombings, assassinations and religious violence has swept Bangladesh. Members of the militant Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (J.M.J.B.) in the north have claimed responsibility for the bombings of cinemas and cultural shows, and for the killing of scores of Hindus and Buddhists as well as Muslims they considered too lax. A campaign of assassinations by bombs saw failed attempts last year on British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury and opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, and a successful bid on Jan. 27 to kill senior opposition figure Shah Abu Mohammed Shamsul Kibria.
Meanwhile, Western intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned about the rise of Islamic extremism. “We were blind on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia,” says a South Asia-based Western intelligence official. “We don’t want to miss the signs this time around.” Yet until very recently, Bangladeshi officials flatly denied that the country was a hotbed of militancy and violence.
“We have no official knowledge of the existence of J.M.J.B.,” State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar told reporters on Jan. 26,2005. “Certain so-called newspapers have been running reports on it, [but] we have no record that any such group has formed.” It was the background of socio-political environment, Bangladesh is under Begum Zia’s rule since 2001.
“We did not know they were there,” she( Begum Khaleda Zia) says of the militants. “After the Aug. 17 bomb blasts, we knew.” And they acted...” Begum Zia’s interview with Mr.Perry made us fool concealing the backdrop episodes of last four years. She could not understand that there were terrorist but she could realise after August 17,2005. What a great hibernation at the level of the head of government of Bangladesh? World media as well local media repeatedly opined and stated their fury over those issues over the years.
While TIME’s Alex Perry spoke to Sheikh Hasina at her Dhaka home Sheikh Hasina replied: the government protects these terror groups. This is their baby. Maybe because of pressure—domestic and international—they had to take some action. But they want to blame the opposition—us, the Awami League. I believe the government uses these terror groups. All the bomb blasts that have taken place in this country have targeted minority groups, the secular, democratic, progressive civil society and us. [The terrorists] target us, then [the government] blames us. Now the Prime Minister has arrested them. And the J.M.B. [terror group Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh] have admitted their responsibility. [But] it’s all just a drama.”(TIME, April 10,2006)
Tarique Rahman and several ex-BNP ministers directly patronised the outrageous operations of the JMB (Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh) in Rajshahi with the full knowledge of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, revealed an extensive The Daily Star investigation that was corroborated by top government officials in the region.
Then at the helm of home ministry, Lutfozzaman Babar also joined the bandwagon of JMB leader Bangla Bhai, pouring cold water on feeble attempts by a part of the civil and police administration to resist the terrorist activities. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad, who had the memories of being a helpless deputy inspector general of Rajshahi then, only could endorse the The Daily Star finds gleaned from strenuous research and interviews with a number of officials, numerous socio-political workers and people, who witnessed the rise of dreadful Bangla bhai under cover of outlaw cleansing campaign that left at least 24 persons killed and 300 others repressed or injured between April 2004-January 2005.
"From whatever I could know, former prime minister Khaleda Zia had the consent to the JMB activities. Her son Tarique Rahman had been supporting the vigilante activities of the militants and and state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar never helped me to fight the JMB," said police chief Mohammad flatly. “Some ministers, MPs and ruling party (BNP) leaders were sponsoring the militants.”
In May 2004, The Daily Star ran a series of investigative reports on Bangla Bhai's rise that pointed fingers at some ministers and leaders of the BNP-Jamaat ruling alliance. Three years later, this investigation also found links of the highest level of the BNP-led coalition government with such atrocious crimes.
The BNP's use of government machinery for the JMB also shattered the chain of command in the Rajshahi police forces, creating tension between the local police and administration. Again, many ordinary citizens joined the Bangla bhai's group to save their own lives, sensing the administration inactive and the police supporting the militants.
The then Rajshahi police superintendent Masud Miah took up the unofficial JMB assignment gallantly, playing a pivotal role in the terror of the radical Islamist group. The SP thrived on his Hawa Bhaban clouts so much so that many other police members found it safe to become friendly with the JMB militants despite the fact the DIG was not liking the happenings.
"Despite a lot of efforts, I could not resist the militant activities," he told The Daily Star remorsefully.
Days after the execution of six JMB linchpins on March 29,2007 the caretaker government hinted that it is now the turn of the patrons and masterminds of the militants to face trial. Law Adviser Mainul Hosein said that the patrons will face the same punishment if they are found guilty. IGP Nur Mohammad told press after country's first execution for militancy, "We have already tentatively identified the patrons of the organization [JMB]."
"We have got names of persons who were involved with the JMB and made area-wise lists, interrogating arrested miltants," he said. Some victims of Bangla Bhai filed several cases since March this year, accusing Aminul, Dulu, Nadim and many others JMB goons. Police pressed charges in two cases so far accusing the three of patronising militants. On April 8, a sedition complaint was filed against Mayor Minu for patronising militants and the police authorities are still waiting for the home ministry's approval to get it accepted as a case. No case is yet filed against Alamgir Kabir although witnesses told his involvement in the JMB operations.
Meanwhile the trial of former minister and lawmakers for aiding and abetting the militants is likely to begin soon.
What helped such a transformation?
There can be several factors accounting for the dramatic shift that converted a civil element into an evil one, but the ones that stand out are the total desecration of the judicial system and the defilement of the law. Creating and empowering a fanatical terrorist group to repress political opposition, protecting murderers from the law, obstructing justice, and falsely accusing innocent citizens of crimes which they not only did not commit but were victims of, are obscenely ugly. Various forms of corruption, from money laundering to bribe taking, and so on, must be dealt with in terms of their own merits, but should not be equated with extraordinary crimes.
It is an irony that after a traumatic transition to democracy, it was the same lot of pseudo-politicians expediently created by the military itself -- the civil, military, bureaucratic, and political hustlers of various shades who participated in Ershadian looting -- who reappeared in politics in democratic grab.Politics continued to remain the preserve of the same people who, after a period of hibernation, returned under the wings of a triumphant BNP.
Once again the same people -- the tax evaders, the bank defaulters, the smugglers, the criminals and robber barons -- were foisted upon an electorate unable to make an informed political choice. The election under the prevailing system failed to throw up the very best, the noblest or the fittest, but helped the scum of the society who were rich, unscrupulous and most powerful to bag the votes through tricks, manipulation and muscle power.
What was the credibility of entire election machinery, when the election could be rigged and the votes could be purchased with black money or through coercion. Besides, a bitter and blind inter-party confrontation, the intra-party infighting, and absence of intra-organizational democracy continued to impede the growth of democratic culture in our country.
It can't be, in any way, conducive to democratic growth if political opponents are hounded, harassed and persecuted, as was experienced during the authoritarian regime of BNP-Jamaat alliance -- while the acts of the betrayal of public trust, abuse of power and rampant corruption went unpunished, observed Brig. M A Hafiz, (retired ) former DG of BIISS.
The distortion of the history of Bangladesh and with it the Bangladesh foreign policy objectives started following the fifth and eighth amendments to the constitution of Bangladesh in post August 1975. After 1990, the two dominant parties -BNP and Awami League- had altered power, BNP winning in 1991, Awami League in 1996, and a BNP-Jaamat led 4-party alliance again in 2001The former 4-party regime and its beneficiaries disguised in the administration are marking time to create environment befitting for them. The Army backed Interim government should look into those cases meticulously and lapses in the field administration be dealt seriously.
Over 10,000 Hindus in one of the largest Hindu enclaves in the city at Chakuli, in Mirpur-12,Dhaka are living in gnawing fear of losing their ancestral homesteads and an age-old temple as the Cantonment Board authorities put a claim on the land reports the daily Star on June 6.
Nearly two lakh Hindus have lost 22 lakh acres of their land and houses during the last six years, a Dhaka University Professor says. The market value of this land is Taka 2, 52,000 crore (about $156 million), which is more than half of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).'This is a man-made problem contrary to the spirit of humanity. We have to get rid of this uncivilised state of affairs to establish a civilised society. Otherwise, we have to face a bigger historic catastrophe,' Professor Abdul Barkat, who teaches economics, insists in his research paper, 'Deprivation of affected million families: Living with Vested Property in Bangladesh'.
Politically powerful people grabbed most of the Hindu lands during the reign of Begum Khaleda Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance between 2001 and 2006. Forty-five per cent of the land grabbers were affiliated with the BNP, 31 per cent with the Awami League, eight per cent with Jamaat-e-Islami and six per cent with the Jatiya Party and other political organisations, the New Age, Dhaka daily quotes Prof Barkat as saying in his report, which will be published shortly.Some 12 lakh or 44 per cent of the 27 lakh Hindu households in the country were affected by the Enemy Property Act 1965 and its post-independence version, the Vested Property Act 1974.
The Begum Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government annulled this Act in 2001. It wanted to return the 'vested' property to their original Hindu owners. The move was criticised as a 'political tokenism' aimed to appease minority voters prior to the general elections.
But in reality, as Professor Barkat study shows the Hasina largesse did not benefit the Hindu minority, who owned land at the time of partition. Infact, it ended up displacing most of them from their ancestral land,reports RamaRao in Asian Tribune.
Reforms of Political Parties
Law Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein recently said the government is not imposing reforms on the political parties; it is rather helping them in their endeavours to bring reforms. It appears that Law adviser has taken u-turn from his early stand of “Minus Two’ theory of reforms.
In Bangladesh's political culture, fantasy plays a big part and everyone is free to invent or imagine all sorts of conspiracies writes Prof Rehman Sobhan. “But we have to recognize that we are in this crisis because our mainstream political parties have, over successive regimes, failed to meet the expectations of their voters and have, instead, left us mired in a swamp of corruption, violence, and malgovernance, from which the nation needs to escape. It is clear from history, our own and from that of other countries, that military rule is no answer to a nation's problems. All political reforms have to be democratically mandated or they cannot be sustained. In the absence of any political alternative, we have to ask ourselves whether our major parties are in a position to regenerate themselves, he opined.
‘For example, can the BNP aspire to reform the party within the present dynastic leadership structure, or indeed are the very structures of the party corroded and its leaders too committed to their own aggrandizement to reconfigure the party. What we are learning every day about the functioning of the BNP, particularly during its recent tenure in office, suggests that a significant part of its leadership and echelons below them conceive of politics exclusively as an instrument for personal gain.
‘In the case of the Awami League, current realities demonstrate that as long as Sheikh Hasina chooses to remain in politics she is likely to remain the undisputed leader of the party. So the question to be answered is whether Sheikh Hasina herself recognizes that there is a need for reform in her party and whether she is willing to initiate such a process in collaboration with her colleagues. However, reform is not just about process, it is also about what a party has to offer in order to earn public confidence. Thus, the Awami League has to also rediscover its sense of mission as a party. The party has a long history, which has associated it with all the major democratic struggles in Bangladesh, of which the liberation struggle was its most defining moment. The struggles demanded a close bond between the party and the people.
‘If the Awami League fails to visibly engage itself in such a process of regeneration, can a new third force emerge in response to the hunger for political change? I personally see no real prospect in the next two years for such a force, capable of actually organizing itself and winning an election in 2008, emerging in the political arena. I could be wrong. After all, nature abhors a vacuum and so there will always be some attempt to respond to the popular demand for reform. Without a third force or credible move for reform in the mainstream political parties which can respond to this universally felt need for change, Bangladesh could move into a period of deep uncertainty, he opined.
‘All the effort to structure a free and fair election, eradicate corruption, and overhaul the administration, could all unravel during the post-electoral period without a credible commitment from all contesting parties to sustain these reforms. This could set up another round of confrontational politics, which will take us back to where we started from at the beginning of this year. They say history repeats itself, first as tragedy then as farce. My fear is that the next phase of tragedy may be too protracted and painful for us to enjoy the farce” observed .
Prof.Rehman Sobhan , a renowned economist and respected personality in Banglades. Our suggestion is AL should stand by her reform programme announced in the public meetings as 14-party leader. Apart from those 31-point reform programme,AL may more decisions in her party council meetings.
Habibul Hauque Khondakar,a sociologist opined : How did the situation come to this? There are at least three narratives on the history of corrosion of Bangladesh polity. One school would assert that since the taking over of political power by General Ershad 25 years ago, corruption has marked the body politic of Bangladesh.Others would assert that the so-called "democracies" are responsible for sponsoring corruption in Bangladesh. There are others who would point fingers at the alliance government headed by BNP for creating a new history of corruption in Bangladesh. The eye of the hurricane of corruption was Hawa Bhavan. Ironically, Prime Minister Begum Zia's favorite metaphor was "flood of development" that was sweeping across Bangladesh.
But why would elected politicians suddenly become evil? What explains their transformation from civil to evil? Were they just bad people? Could it be the result of the bad influence of Hindi cinemas, where the likes of Umresh Puri pretend to be smiling politicians but secretly patronize criminal gangs? Those who bought expensive houses in Dubai, and bought top of the line cars, and became victims of unbridled consumerism beamed to them by satellite television? The problem of such off-the-cuff analysis is that it does not define corruption, nor does it separate corruption from outright criminality. Even within corruption there are gradients of corruption, as in criminal behaviour there are degrees of crime. One can wake up one morning and say, "I am going to rid the world of corruption. I would compliment the idea, but judge it as naiveté." We wish the world was peaceful and Bangladesh was corruption free. Wishes have their rightful place. We must have dreams; but to confuse reality with dream, or pragmatic thought with wishful thinking, will be counterproductive. “(DS,24/6/07)
We demand impartial enquiry in every case of violation of human rights We have been receiving news of violation of human rights in the form of grabbing lands, religion and cases of rape. We don't find any difference of behavior, particularly on minority issues, in administration and the nature of humiliation whether democratic regime or autocratic regime or Caretaker Government run by Emergency backed by Army rules in Bangladesh. Bangladesh was ruled by army generals in one guise or another for 15 years until the end of 1990 That is why, the humiliated Hindus left Bangladesh to become a 'stateless-citizens' in India and their number became 1.5 crore since the period between1975 and 2006.We appeal to the Bangladesh Election Commission as well as the both the government of India and Bangladesh to initiate steps for registering non-resident Bangladeshi citizens who left the country under certain duress between 1972-2006 in India as voters and who live in Bangladesh enclaves surrounded by Indian territories.
The main repair works the present government must do is reinstate the cycle of crime and punishment, and return to administration of justice in a fair and impartial manner so that men and women in charge of governing can do their job without fear or favour. Important and unprecedented steps have been taken, for which the nation will remain grateful.
This Army backed Interim government in Bangladesh, in the form of Caretaker Government, is a solace to the weaker and marginalized section of people in Bangladesh.Our fragile democratic structures were again under severe threat and we had witnessed electoral success when muscle power has been used. So Hindus, weaker and marginalized section of people, need to speak up even if they are further starting something old and obvious.
Rabindranath Trivedi is a retired Additional Secretary and former Press secretary to the President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
Concluded
- Asian Tribune -

Public Benefit Litigation: Refugee Status of Bangladesh Minorities in India

HRCBM filed a writ petition at Calcutta High Court on June 19th, 2007 appealing that Government of India should grant Refugee status to Bangladesh Minorities, who took shelter in India to escape violence in their country .
Source: Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh MinoritiesJun 24, 2007 05:14:48

(PRLog.Org) – Santa Clara, California, June 22nd, 2007 – HRCBM announce today that it has filed a writ before the Calcutta High Court for consideration of granting and declaring Bangladesh Minorities, who took shelter in India to escape violence in their home country, as “refugees”.The writ petition No WP11718w/2007 dated June 19th, 2007 called for Honorable Calcutta High Court comprising chief justice S.S. Nirjhar and Justice Deba Prasad Sengupta at court 1 to issue order calling upon the Government of India and the state Government of West Bengal respectively as to why Bangladesh Minorities who are currently residing in India escaping violence at their home country cannot be declared as “Refugees”. The petition was moved by HRCBM’s Advocate, Mr. Jasobanta Rakshit and the chapter head of HRCBM-West Bengal, Mr. Subash Chakrabarty. A Court notice has already been served to both the Government of India and the state Government of West Bengal. The honorable Calcutta High Court will convene on this matter soon after the receipt of formal response of the respondents to appear before the court. The date of formal proceedings will be announced by HRCBM soon after notification from the honorable high court. Minorities of Bangladesh are subject to state sponsored discrimination and religious hate crime targeted against them in Bangladesh. Since 1971, millions of Bangladesh minorities have taken shelter to various Indian states, whose existence in the country is often denied by government of India. As a result, millions of refugees who escaped Bangladesh and continued till date are deprived of their rights under International law. Their plights are often ignored by the International community as well.This public benefit litigation is expected to draw attention to the plights of millions of these refugees and bring to light the obligation of UN and Governments of both India and Bangladesh. Earlier in 2006, HRCBM had filed a public benefit litigation at High Court division of Bangladesh Supreme Court requesting it’s intervention for the protection of Bangladesh minorities. Although honorable Bangladesh High court ordered rule nisi on Government of Bangladesh, justice is yet to be served. It is to be noted that Bangladesh Government ignored the order of country’s high court denying justice to thousands of country’s minorities.
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Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) is a human rights and humanitarian organization dedicated to uphold rights of Bangladesh minorities.
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10,000 Hindus fear eviction in Mirpur, Bangladesh

http://www.thedaily star.net/ 2007/06/06/ d70606011811. htm

10,000 fear eviction

Special Correspondent

Over 10,000 Hindus in one of the largest Hindu enclaves in the city at Chakuli, in Mirpur-12 are living in gnawing fear of losing their ancestral homesteads and an age-old temple as the Cantonment Board authorities put a claim on the land.
Officials with bulldozers yesterday reached the place to demolish the village but called off the operation due to rain, locals said. Residents there said they could produce all documents to prove that they have inherited the land from their ancestors.
"We have lived here for generations, if there is a proper land acquisition by the government we shall definitely respect that decision, but what is happening here today [Tuesday] does not have any legal basis whatsoever," said Narayan Sarkar, a carpenter by profession, living on a small piece of land he said he inherited from his forefathers.
The crowd of worried men and women grew to over 150 as this correspondent talked to them. "When our parents learnt about the first acquisition back in the sixties, they went to the court and won the case against the government," said a visibly shaken Sudhir Chandra Sarkar, president of the Durga temple committee and a community leader, showing copies of relevant documents.
The entire process of acquiring the area for extending Dhaka Cantonment was started again in 1973 under "confidentiality" , residents said. The community of Chakuli was kept completely in the dark as the Ministry of Land allocated twenty acres of land to the Ministry of Defence in 1992. The Deputy Commissioner' s (DC) Office in Dhaka, based on the 1992 allocation, prepared a handover note and handed over the land to the cantonment board.
"There was no notice, no communication whatsoever from the DC office, we only learnt about the handover years later in 2000 when cantonment personnel put a claim on our homes," said Sarkar.
"At present, there is an injunction from the High Court and a status quo order on our village, but the army does not want to look at anything," said a local resident.
The Ministry of Land and the DC office's handling of the matter, as it shows on paper, has been so amateurish that the local people termed it "a story of gross corruption". None of the gazettes by the ministry specifically points out any plot number or size of the acquisition of the land, according to documents obtained by The Daily Star.
"Our suffering and feeling of uncertainty today [Tuesday] is the result of gross corruption at the Ministry of Land and the DC office, we want to know where the money for the land acquisition went," said Narayan Sarkar.

Press Release from Peace Campaign Group (PCG)

Press Release
1 June 2007
The Advisor on Foreign and CHT Affairs Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury of the current interim government of Bangladesh called a meeting with the Advisory Committee on CHT Affairs Ministry on 31 May in Dhaka for discussion on CHT affairs with special reference to some crucial provisions of the1997 'CHT Peace Treaty' that remained unimplemented during the terms of the two previous governments.
Such provisions include, among others, delegation of power to the local government, land right of the local people and withdrawal of 'temporary' military camps from the CHT. The Advisory Committee consists of the Chairman CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, Chairmen of three Hill District Councils, Chiefs of three Circles andthree members of the non-indigenous (Bengali) permanent residents of the CHT. Peace Campaign Group welcomes the move and requests the current administration of Bangladesh to solve the long-standing problems rather than making it a mere diplomatic exercise to show to the international community.
PCG also urges the government to release the PCJSS and other indigenous leaders arrested by the Joint Forces under the emergency rule in place in the country by framing falsecharges against them as a mark of its good-will towards this direction.

Peace Campaign Group
RZ-I-91/211,West Sagarpur, New Delhi-110046
Tel: +91 11 2539 8383
Telfax: +91 11 2539 4277
Email: pcgoffice@yahoo. co.in, pcgonline@gmail. com