and Terrorism

The three and a half-year tyrannical misrule of the BNP/Jamat alliance government has surpassed all previous records. It is difficult to find such misrule in any part of the world. The basket of BNP Jamat government is full of murders, bomb blasts, grenade attacks, anarchy, tyranny, threats, intimidation, humiliation, terrorism, rape, arson, abduction, extortion, vandalism and property grabbing. These misdeeds are followed by deteriorating public administration, decaying judiciary, economic disorder and mismanagement, price-hike, corruption, insecurity, ethnic conflicts, violation of human rights and tarnishing social values. This government has come to power by falsifying and rigging the elections, thereby denying the people their right to vote. All these factors have brought the country to the verge of destruction. The people at home, as well as the international community are seriously concerned. The situation is worsening day by day. So, all the freedom- loving people are aggrieved and therefore thinking of a way to get rid of this unbearable situation. The painful state of affairs which has been created due to the misrule of this government may be viewed in the following major areas of governance:

1. Public administration
2. Law & Order
3. Economy
4. Security of women and children

1. Public Administration

Sound public administration is the precondition of national integrity, security, stability, development and economic prosperity. But the public administration of the country has almost collapsed due to the misrule of the BNP Jamat alliance government. Unprecedented politicization of the entire civil service, followed by corruption has created this situation. In order to politicize the administration the BNP/Jamat alliance government has adopted the policy of sacking the senior dedicated and efficient civil servants and replacing them with junior and inefficient officers loyal to them. In the process they have made the public service ineffective, unworkable and corrupt. This involves not only sacking of civil servants on a mass scale, but also forced retirements, indiscriminate transfers, holding up of promotions, superseding the senior officers and making OSD as per directives of the Hawa Bhaban. On the other hand contract service has made the administration stagnant. Out of the fifty-eight posts of secretaries, the officers on contracts and the In- Charges have occupied as many as forty eight posts. The following list will show how the BNP has politicized and dismantled the civil service of the country.

• Sacked or dismissed Civil Servants- 5,119 people
• Sacked or dismissed Police officers of different ranks- 844
• O.S.D. -384
• Appointment on Contract basis- 168
• Transfer at field level of administration – 3012
• Victims of seniority superseding.
• In addition, the sacking list in the Police force is estimated to be about 30, 000 people. The Alliance government did not spare the defense force officers either. Meanwhile, a large number of efficient, eligible and professional officers of Army, Navy and the Air force have been dismissed on political grounds.
• The junior officers having political affiliations and blessings are being promoted to Secretaries, Joint Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries, while the eligible senior officers are being superseded. Promotions are also given on the basis of secret and unpublished promotion policy thus creating resentment in the civil service. Again the officers loyal to BNP/Jamat were promoted to one or two-stage higher ranks overnight. These officers do not have adequate training or experience to shoulder higher responsibilities, thus they are incapable of understanding and interpreting the law, rules and procedures. Many are so incompetent, that they are not able to correspond or interact with their foreign counterparts. As a result, performance of public administration has reached its poorest level. On the other hand the chain of command has totally broken down. The government has dismantled the administrative machinery. As a consequence chaos, confusion, disruption, corruption disobedience, reluctance to work, fear of job loss, inefficiency etc. has infected the entire civil service. So a catastrophic situation is prevailing in the public administration sector. So then how can a sound public administration be expected?
• The deterioration of the civil service is also evident in the conviction of the sitting IG Shahidul Haque on contempt of court charges and unconditional begging of mercy by a group of senior officers for three consecutive days in the Supreme Court. Such aggravating situation of the public administration is the result of the misrule of the BNP/Jamat Alliance government. In turn, the dismantled and almost collapsed civil service has resulted in deteriorating law and order situation, insecurity, economic mismanagement, hardship of the people, instability, retarded growth, indiscriminate bomb and grenade attacks, rise of Islamic terrorism, social disorder and public resentment. The other sectors of public administration have also been infected in a similar way. Consequently, corruption, nepotism and favoritism pervade the whole fabric of the society in such a way that whoever gets the opportunity tries to benefit through unfair and illegal means.
• In the politicization process the judiciary of the country has also been polluted. Appointment of judges in the Appex Court by superseding the senior judges has badly damaged the image of the court. Recently the government has appointed nineteen judges to the Appex court. Most of them are politically affiliated with either BNP or Jamat. The most surprising event is the appointment of a lawyer having no law degree as judge of the High Court. When the allegations against this judge surfaced, he was withdrawn from the bench. Another judge of the High Court division was found guilty of misconduct and corruption by the Supreme Judicial Council and thus he was forced to resign. Corruption in other courts is open and widespread. It is alleged that the judge in the historic jail killing case of the four national leaders gave a farcical verdict under the direction of the current government. Under such decaying judiciary system justice and the rule of law have vanished.

2. Law and Order Situation;

- While speaking about the misrule of the BNP/Jamat Alliance government the deteriorating law and order situation tops the list. The prevailing grave law and order situation has created a general feeling of panic and fear in the entire country. Indiscriminate grenade throwing, blasting of bombs, murders, terrorism, arson, rape, acid throwing, abduction, extortion etc. have become routine events. People are being attacked and killed on the streets, in public gatherings, in political rallies, cultural and religious gatherings and even in mosques, churches and temples. People are not safe even in their homes. One does not know when, how and from where the killing squad would appear and kill him. People are suffering from extreme death phobia.

2.1 The horrific scene of anarchism;

- Terrorism in the form of bomb blasts and grenade attacks by the fanatic militant groups have surpassed all previous records. The armed cadres of BNP and Jamat are also involved in similar terrorist activities. These groups have spread terrorism all over the country. The alliance government made a firm commitment to the people on the eve of the October 2001 elections that they would ensure a society free from terrorism. But what is the nation witnessing now? Terrorism has spread in its extreme form. After the Alliance government assumed power it initiated terrorist attacks on leaders, activists and voters of the Awami League as well as the religious minorities. At present, these terrorist attacks have become so widespread that they are indiscriminate of political affiliation or religious belief. Therefore life has become very uncertain for everybody.

- The picture of the grave law and order situation prevailing in the country may be seen from the following statistics of different types of crimes during the period from October 2001 to February 2005

- 1. Murders including political killings- 37, 862

- 2. Heinous bomb and grenade blasts in public gatherings and political rallies- 28, causing the death of 162 people and over 2000 wounded.

- 3.Cases filed against the opposition leaders and workers more than 100, 000

- 4. Victims of political cases – over 5000 000

- 5. Dacoity, robbery, extortions-21,32,204

- 6. Incidents of minority tortures- 15,204 cases

- From the above statistics, a horrific picture of the law and order situation becomes apparent. The situation has escalated with the withdrawal of more than 70, 000 cases instituted against criminals on specific charges. The accused in these cases are involved in heinous crimes like murders, rape, arsons etc. They have been released on political grounds. As time passes the situation is spiraling out of control. The government launched “operation Clean Heart” as a means of containment. This operation resulted in more than 100 extra-Judicial killings and thousands of wounded. After this attempt failed to get the desired results, the ruling party withdrew the army by granting them indemnity and deployed a number of Special Forces like RAB, COBRA and CHITA. These forces have been given so much power and authority that they have blatantly disregarded constitutional provisions, human rights laws, as well as court law. Almost everyday they are catching people on different false charges and are brutally murdering them, covering it by calling it “crossfire deaths”. The victims are not tried or given any opportunity for self-defense. So there is a widespread saying “How can a man be certain that his death is imminent? The answer is “When he is caught by RAB or other special forces of the ruling party.”

- Being encouraged by the actions of RAB and the impunities enjoyed by them, the police and other forces have now also indulged in extra-judicial killings calling it crossfire. While killing a handcuffed person in the so-called crossfire, the most astonishing thing is the stereotypical statements issued by those forces. Such as: Mr. X, an enlisted criminal has been caught at such and such place. According to his disclosure Mr. X was taken to such and such place at such and such time for recovery of arms. As soon as a contingent of the force reached that place with Mr. X his other associates opened fire as they waited in ambush. The RAB force present there also opened counter fire in self-defense. At that moment Mr. X attempted to escape from custody by fleeing and died in the crossfire. Some arms have been recovered from the spot. To justify the killing to the public, concocted stories and statements about pending cases against that person are published through the media.

- It is surprising that when the action of the RAB and other similar forces have created panic among the criminals and even the commoners, how a group of terrorists with Islamic fundamentalist backgrounds are continuing their bomb and grenade attacks on innocent civilians and political gatherings. This gives rise to the following two questions:

- 1. How do dangerous arms and ammunitions such as automatic guns, bombs with remote control systems and hand grenades reach the criminals?

- 2. How and where do criminals receive professional training for using the sophisticated military weapons like grenades?

Regarding the first question the answer is that the huge quantities of arms and ammunitions that are smuggled to Bangladesh need to be viewed very seriously.

Detection and seizure of huge consignment of smuggled arms and ammunitions at Chittagong port, Bogra and Kuril, Dhaka clearly proves that the terrorist have got a regular supply line of arms. But most of the smuggled arms consignments could not be caught or even detected. As a result the organized arms smuggling syndicates with blessings from the government have become desperate in bringing arms and ammunitions to the country. They are the main weapon suppliers to the terrorist groups. Such regular arms smuggling and the apparent failure of the government to detect and arrest the smugglers, has created an opportunity for the criminals, particularly for the Islamic militants to get a regular supply of arms and ammunitions.

Pertaining to the second question it has been noted that the criminals using these automatic guns, bombs, hand-grenades etc. have a high degree of professional training.

Grenade is a military weapon used only in battle fields. It has enormous destructive potential. From the series of successful grenade attacks in public meetings it is evident that the terrorists have military training. Numerous newspaper reports indicate that militant training camps are spread out all over the country. The law enforcement agencies have failed to detect these training camps, once again proving the apparent liaison of the government with the militant terrorists.

2 (ii) Government Patronization Of Criminals And The Blue-Print To Wipe Out Awami League:

As we look at the alarming law and order situation in the country, as well as the number of political killing the question arises: Who is patronizing these criminals and why? The following points come to mind;

1. Despite of the series of bomb and grenade attacks the terrorists are allowed a safe passage

2. Police, RAB and other government forces have failed to identify any of them.

3. No proper investigation is conducted.

4. Evidence of the grenade blasts is in many cases destroyed.

5. The government attempts to divert the people’s attention by false propaganda and lies.

6. The popular front line leaders of Awami League are killed one after the other.

7. Not one single grenade blast has occurred in a BNP or Jamat political meeting.

All this clearly indicates that without the involvement and patronization of the government these terrorist groups would not be able to operate on such a large scale. It has become apparent that the so-called investigations and enquiries are nothing but eyewash. In fact, so far the government has done practically nothing to unearth the criminals. The government's repeated reluctance and failure to properly investigate the series of bomb and grenade attacks and eventually bringing the perpetrators to book has led to a climate of impunity. These inactions have further encouraged the culprits to continue these heinous acts.

The latest victim of these systematic killings is the front-line Awami League leader and former Finance Minister Mr. Shah A M S Kibria. He was killed in a grenade attack along with four others in a political meeting at Baiddar Bazar in the district of Habijgong on 27th of January 2005. Seventy innocent people were seriously injured in the same attack.

In another public meeting on 21 of August 2004 an assassination attempt was made on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina . The same type of grenade was used as in the Habigonj attack. People at home and abroad were outraged, shocked, deeply saddened and angered by the brutal murder of Mr. Kibria. The Indian Prime Minister, governments of many countries, the diplomatic corps, political leaders and people from all walks of life have mourned and strongly condemned his brutal killing. They have all demanded punishment of the culprits through prompt and fair investigation.

With the murder of Mr. Kibria, the country has lost one of the valiant sons of the soil.

He was a highly talented bureaucrat-turned politician who genuinely wanted to serve the country. With his death Awami League also lost a brilliant think tank of the party. The murder of Mr. Kibria raises the question that how could a government provide safety and security for the common people when it has failed to protect a sitting Member of Parliament and former cabinet Minister. The failure of the government to ensure the security of such high ranking politician led to the cancellation of the SAARC SUMMIT which was supposed to be held in February on a Prime Ministerial level.

During the three and a half year rule of the BNP- Jamat Alliance the following notable Awami League leaders have been killed either in grenade or gunfire attacks: Mr. Mamtazuddin Ahmed- Ex M.P., Advocate Manzarul Islam- Ex M.P, Mr. Ashan Ullah Master-Sitting M.P., Mrs. Ivy Rahman, Awami League Secretary- Women Affairs, Mr. Shah AMS Kibria – Sitting MP and Ex Finance Minister.

Along with these killing a number of assassination attempts were made on popular Awami League leaders.

A number of assassination attempts were made on Sheikh Hasina- the former Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and President of Bangladesh Awami League. These repeated attempts since her return from self-exile to Bangladesh in 1981 are of particular significance. This has been nicely documented by a UNB-Dhaka Bangladesh based news agency as follows:

“Since the return of Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh in 1981, the first reported attack was 0n the 11th of August 1983at her residence, believed to be carried out by the killers of Bangabandhu i.e. the Freedom Party.”

This was followed by two successive attacks on her house following the observance of the assassination day of Bangabandhu (15 August) in 1983. These were on 16th August 1983 and 16 October 1983.

During the anti –Ershad movement from 1984- 1990, she was targeted several times. The most significant one was on September 28th 1994 during Dhaka blockade.

The most serious attempt was on January 24th 1988 when she lead a procession in Chittagong-24 people died.

On September 11th 1991 gunshots were fired at her during an election campaign in Dhanmondi. On December 11th during her rally at Russel Square at Dhanmondi another gun attack was carried out. On January 6 th 1997in a meeting at Ramna, a young man with a revolver, who was trying to reach her was arrested.

A Jubo Command cadre was arrested on the charges of conspiring to assassinate her. on January 30 th 1997

Several big bombs were exploded in front of the P.M.’s Office on 26th April 1999.

A big bomb was found at Kotalipara on the 21st of July 2000, where she was to attend a public meeting.

On September 25 th 2001 while addressing an election campaign meeting at Alia Madrassa ground in Sylhet, a bomb exploded killing two workers.

On the 4th of March 2002, a cousin of one of the sentenced killers of Bangabandhu- Khaled tried to stab her with a knife.

On August 29 th her motorcade was attacked at Satkhira.

On the 26 th of February, 2004, she survived another attack at Barisal Ferryghat
Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajib Wazed Joy were forced to cancel their scheduled programme at Tongipara due to security threats.

2(iii)The 21 August, 2004 Tragedy And The Scrapping Of The Father Of The Nation’s Family Members Security Act, 2001

The latest assassination attempt on Sheikh Hasina was carried out on August 21 2004 while she was leading a peaceful public rally at Bangabandhu Avene, Dhaka. Dozens of grenades were thrown at her and her party colleagues. By the grace of Allah she could barely escape the place and go into her bullet- proof car thanks to the human shield around her formed by party leaders and personal staff. The death toll of this attack reached 24 people- all party leaders and workers, including Mrs.I.V. Rahman, Secretary of Women Affairs of the Awami League. The heinous and tragic grenade attack seriously injured over 500 people. Among them- 50 were in critical condition. Despite these numerous assassination attempts on Sheikh Hasina‘s life no proper investigation has been conducted in any of these cases.

The series of assassination attempts and continuous death threats made to Sheikh Hasina had led to the enactment of “ The Father of the Nation’s Family Members Security Act,2001” during the Awami League government. This act provided special security arrangements for the Father of the Nation’s family members. As soon as the BNP/Jamat Alliance took over power in October 2001 this act was unilaterally scrapped, once again proving the involvement of the current government in these attacks.

But why does the government want to assassinate her? This is a part of the bigger political conspiracy to get rid of the only opposition party- Awami League. The intention of BNP and Jamat are very clear when their activists on the streets are openly chanting slogans like “We want a Hasina-free Bangladesh” and “Let the arms and weapons of 1975 fire again, let the killers of Mujib be united again.” While such slogans are chanted on the streets, some other high ranking leaders of the ruling junta openly speak about a repetition of the gruesome murder of 15th August 1975 when the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were killed.

Also, notable journalists, writers, academics, diplomats, lawyers, artists and other intellectuals are also on the target list of the terrorist groups. The killing of journalist Manik Saha, Humayuin Kabir Balu and 7 others, murder of Professor Yunus of Rajshahi University, assassination attempts on Professor Humayan Ayzad leading to death, grenade attack on the British high Commissioner Mr. Anwar Chowdhury, attack on popular poet Shamsur Rahman and death threats to many others are the acts of the same terrorists.

From all the above it is obvious that these attacks are aimed either on prominent workers and leaders of Awami League or on progressive intellectuals of the country. Instead of taking any action against these terrorists and killers, the government has intensified the arrest of A.L followers. The RAB and the other Special Forces have diverted their action towards the A.L workers. During the nation-wide 60 hour hartall in protest of the killing of Mr. Shah AMS Kibria, from 29 – 31 January 2005, the RAB forces deployed on the streets were brutally beating Awami League protesters and even threatened to kill some of the women activists in so-called cross-fire.

Judging from recent events, the government’s real intention is absolutely clear regarding the creation of Special Forces like RAB, Cobra and Cheetah. These circumstances indicate that these special forces have been created not to contain terrorism but to eliminate the Awami League, a view long held by the opposition.

So it would not be wrong to say that the BNP- Jamat government has been conducting a carefully orchestrated murder campaign against A.L. leaders which would uproot the Awami League as a political party and eventually destroy the opposition. BNP/Jamat alliance promised democracy and security for the country, instead it has imposed a rule of tyranny, hooliganism, oppressions, killings and terrorism. In the name of democracy they have initiated extra-judicial killings in the “Operation Clean Heart”; they have endorsed the so-called “cross-fire” killings which are regularly being carried out by the RAB and police; they have remained silent witnesses to the systematic killings and attacks on the opposition. In essence what is happening in Bangladesh under this government is nothing short of committing crimes against humanity.

2(iv) The Rise Of Islamic Militants And Terrorism

Another problem facing the country is the rapid rise of Islamic militant groups under different names like Jamat-e- Islam, Harkat-ul- Zehad Al Islam (HUZI), Islamic Alliance, Islamic CHatra Sibir, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), Al Baiyenat, Jamatul Mujahedeen, Sahadat-e- Al hikma, Hijbut Tawheed and so on. All these organizations are linked with the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. These groups have openly carried out slogans on the streets in support of Bin Laden and his ideology as well as pro-Taliban government for Bangladesh. Meanwhile the financial and training bases for these organizations have become very strong as they are regularly funded by so called charitable missions or Non-Govt. Organizations (NGO’s) of some Middle Eastern countries and Bin Laden. Several So-called Islamic financial institutions hospitals and other business organizations are directly financed by the funds of these fanatic Islamic organizations. Apart from the grants received from the Middle East and Bin Laden, the profit earned from the business and commercial establishments are spent for recruitment, training, purchase of arms and ammunition, explosives, electronic detonating devices, transport and other operational expenses. The recruits, trainees, trainers and the field cadres are also regularly paid from these funds. Already the militants have spread their network all over the country. Their organizational strength, financial and political footing has become so strong that some of them could even share the state power after the October, 2001 elections. After the BNP formed the coalition government with its two fundamentalist allies, the militants gained more strength and power. As a result, they pose a serious threat to all progressive and secular elements in the country. The fall of the Taliban government in Afghanistan saw many of the militants finding a safe haven in Bangladesh to carry out their activities. Patronized and sponsored by powerful partners in the coalition government, these highly motivated and well trained militants are now attempting to capture state power itself. Indications of such attempts have become apparent and visible with the emergence of so called Bangla Bhai and his militant organization calling itself Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) which operates in the border areas of North-Western Bangladesh. Similar groups are active in other parts of the country particularly Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong, Mymensingh and Khulna. All these groups have already demonstrated their strength and ability through powerful bomb blasts and grenade attacks on public gatherings, political rallies and meetings, religious gatherings, movie theaters, churches, temples, tombs etc. The fact that the militants can always make their escape without being captured after carrying out bomb and grenade attacks confirm a high level of military training. The principal objective of the militant groups is to establish Shariya Law in the country through an Afghan style Islamic revolution. The militants are targeting the Awami League first as they find it to be the principal obstacle to achieving their goal. In doing so, they are attacking the public meetings of the AL with grenades and bombs to kill its front line leaders and active workers.

Ms Aliza Grecewold, an American journalist, depicts a horrific picture of killings and numerous atrocities committed by Bangla Bhai and his comrades in her widely read article titled “Next Islamic Revolution?” which was published in the January edition of the New York Times. The chilling facts narrated in her article have sent shockwaves throughout the civilized world. While the whole world is fighting terrorism on a global scale it is amazing to see how a government of a modern and civilized country like Bangladesh could nurse and patronize such terrorist activities.

It is well understood that Ms Eliza had to bear a lot of pain and trouble and even take risks to collect true and accurate information by visiting inaccessible areas of Bangladesh where the rule of Bangla Bhai was already established. She was able to interview some of the victims of JMJB as well as the fundamentalist leaders like Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini. Some intellectuals and journalists of Bangladesh also provided her with vital facts and information. From all of the above one may conclude that Bangladesh has become a free and safe hunting ground for the Islamic militants to carry out their terrorist activities. The objective of such activities is to establish fundamentalism, anarchy and fascism by destroying the civil society. The horrific law and order situation prevailing in Bangladesh is a result of the misrule of the BNP/Jamat alliance government.

On one hand, the alliance government had repeatedly denied the existence and activities of the Islamic militants during their three and half year rule. On the other hand, they had been accusing the opposition, Awami League in particular, of falsely claiming the existence of the Islamic militants. According to the government, the objective of Awami League is to prove that Bangladesh is a failed fundamentalist state and so, along with some foreign agencies A.L. is damaging the image of the country by creating imaginary stories about the existence of Islamic militants. The government did not stop only at accusing the A.L. but also indulged in arresting, torturing and harassing many front line leaders and workers of the party. Although the government was under severe criticism from local and international media about the arrest of journalists like Shahriar Kabir and other human rights activists, grenade and bomb attacks on offices and workers of NGOs and International AID groups including Grameen Bank and BRAC, it repeatedly denied the existence of any Islamic terrorist groups. Under pressure from international opinion the ruling party was forced to admit the alarming situation in the country. Coincidently this announcement was made on the 23 of February while a meeting of the Donor Agencies and AID groups was held in Washington. Bangladesh government officials were excluded from this meeting. On the 23 of February the government publicly banned 2 of the militant groups- Jamatul Mujahideen and Jagrata Muslim Jamata Bangladesh (JMJB) on charges of anti-state and terrorist activities. This ban was also followed by a crackdown on the leaders of these two groups. Professor Dr. Asadulla Al Galib of the Arabic Department of Rajshani University along with three others have been arrested on similar charges. Dozens of members of his organization are also being held. During interrogation by different intelligence agencies and police they have admitted their involvement in terrorist acts in their goal to create a Zihad and an Islamic revolution in Bangladesh. The government has not yet been able to arrest Bangla Bhai the so-called operational commander of JMJB in north-western districts of the country, but many of his followers are being held. In their confessional statements to the Magistrate, the arrested members of both Dr. Ghalib and Bangla Bhai's groups have admitted their involvement in terrorist activities including grenade attacks and murders.

So, finally the long time assertion of the Awami League about the existence of Islamic militant groups and their terrorist activities has been proven right.

Although the long awaited actions against the militant groups have been initiated, people are still suspicious of the sincerity of the ruling party in eliminating and uprooting these Islamic militant groups. With numerous other militant groups still operating in the country, the go-slow attitude of the Police and the Intelligence agencies against these groups, as well as the reluctance of the government to take steps against the mainstream Islamic parties raises serious doubts. Jamat-e- Islami and Islamic Aukya jote (IJO)- two terrorist Islamic organizations disguised as moderate Islamic parties have spread their roots all over the country. Most of the members and leaders of these secret organizations belong to Jamat-e Islami, Chatra Sibir- the student wing of Jamat, I.J.O. and BNP. This has been confirmed with the confessional statements of the arrested militants, all of them have a uniform goal- to establish an Islamic rule. The question arises- why do they operate separately using different identities? This is precisely the strategy of the mainstream Islamic parties; the strategy is to open two simultaneous fronts- political and military. Since their ideology and political programs will never be accepted by majority of the people –they are tactfully implanting people in the civil and military service. When the opportune moment arrives, these two fronts will strike along with their recruits in the civil and military services to capture state power.

Bangladesh is divided into several operational sectors for recruitment of cadres, training camps and terrorist action. The strategic structure of these organizations is such that when a particular group is located and the members and leaders are arrested, they quickly disband and regroup under new names in same or different locations. Another method used by the Islamic parties is to disown the groups that have been arrested to maintain the party image. So the recent arrest of the two militant groups is nothing more than an eye- wash for the people at home and the international community. After this demonstration the government will reinforce its previous policies of patronizing and supporting the Islamic fundamentalists. Such dangerous brinkmanship and suicidal policy is leading the country towards fascism, anarchism and even destruction. The country’s thousand -year cultural heritage and values of religious tolerance, democracy and secularism, freedom of speech, human rights values, respect for womanhood and economic prospects is being destroyed. Only under the pressure of the international agencies working in Bangladesh, particularly the donor and AID countries, was the government forced to arrest the leaders of these two Islamic groups. But the reality is that their network is so deeply enrooted within the country that the limited action taken by the government is not enough. Especially when the alliance government is protecting and patronizing these Islamic fundamentalist parties, these actions appear to be nothing more than a show to appease its critics at home and abroad. Only a long- term policy of firm integrated actions and commitment can eliminate the threat that these disguised parties pose.

Under these grave circumstances it is high time that the international community takes appropriate steps against these fundamentalist elements as part of the global war on terrorism to ensure and protect the values of democracy and human rights. Any delay to counter the rise of these extremist Islamic groups will only help to destabilize the region and as a result have global consequences.

3. Economic Situation:

The three and half year misrule of the BNP/ Jamat alliance government has resulted in total economic disorder, instability, uncertainty, un-accountability, widespread corruption and unbearable price hike of essential commodities. As a result, the common people are finding it difficult to maintain their livelihood. The wrong economic policy of this government has led to unrealistic yearly budget, sluggish industrial growth, low agricultural production, increased imports, reduced foreign investment, and high-rate of inflation, price hike and retarded economic growth. Due to decreased revenue earnings, the government has been forced to borrow money from the banks to meet the administrative and development expenditures. Uncertainty and instability in the share market, high rates of bank call money and the sharp drop in value of the Taka against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies have seriously affected the market. Such an unhealthy atmosphere clearly demonstrates the economic mismanagement by this government.

Lack of accountability in public expenditure, hijacking of government tender bids, favoritism, illegal use of influence in government purchases and transactions etc has given rise to widespread corruption. Under this government, Bangladesh holds the dubious record of being the number one corrupt country in the world for 3 consecutive years according to Transparency International. Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarek Zia and the family have smuggled 130 billion Takas abroad. Even some BNP parliament members have raised allegations of corruption against as many as 16 Ministers and State Ministers.

The infamous Hawa Bhaban, which is used as an office by the PM’s son Tarek Zia, is the core point of all corruption. No business, no project and bank loans can be secured without paying commission to the Hawa Bhaban. Unless bribes are paid at this house, it is virtually impossible to get a promotion or posting in government service. Some foreign governments and many international organizations including Denmark, Spain, Norway, Japan, WHO and ADB have directly accused the government of corruption. Similar accusations were made by some other donor countries and organizations. It has come to light that during the last 1 year 340 billion Takas have been smuggled out of the country. Newspaper reports indicate that some of the Ministers of this government have also transferred huge amounts of money abroad by Hundi (money laundering) after receiving commissions.

Some of the allegations against this government are as follows:

• Misappropriation of Tk.1 billion by importing rotten wheat from India
• Cancellation of Danish grant of Tk 2,52 billion on corruption charges
• Import of 10, 300 Tons of kerosene oil in the name of jet-fuel.
• Import of 20, 000 tons of bad quality and poisonous T.S.P. fertilizer.
• Misappropriation of school text books funds
• Misappropriation of 6,35 billion under the Non-formal education program project
• Import of CNG three-wheelers scandal
• Misappropriation of Tk 90 million under the Book purchase project of the education ministry
• Misappropriation of Tk 310 million from various projects of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Misappropriation of Tk. 10 billion for goat raising project
• Misappropriation of hundreds of millions of Tk’s in the name of taking aircraft lease
• Misappropriation of funds for Hajj flights and housing of pilgrims in Mecca
• Forceful acquirement of property in Old Dhaka city and other parts of the country
• Corruption in distributing export quotas in the readymade garments sector
• Corruption in the Tk 2 billion Coconut plantation project

Due to economic mismanagement, low growth rate and uncontrolled corruption the prices of the essential commodities have risen dramatically. During the Awami League government the prices of all essential commodities and daily necessities were kept within the buying capacity of the people. Prices of all goods and services are raised in the interest of Business Syndicate of Hawa Bhaban and the Ministers involved in corrupt business deals.Commodity prices increased manifold but the buying capacity of the majority of the people is diminishing and therefore poverty is growing.

A comparative table of the prices of essential food items during the period of Awami League government versus BNP-Jamat government is shown below:

During the last 2.5 years the price of electricity has tripled, prices of Gas and Water have also significantly increased. Cost of transport has increased by 40 % and cost of livelihood has increased over 20%.

Another comparative table of goods is shown below:

In addition to the price hike of essential commodities, prices of agricultural inputs have also increased sharply. The farmers are now forced to buy Urea fertilizer at Tk 330.00 instead of Tk 240.00; T.S.P at Tk 380.00 instead of Tk 225.00 and T.S.P at more than TK 770.00 instead of Tk 525.00 per bag. The farmers have no choice but to buy adulterated diesel at higher prices. Moreover, during each season of Irri- Boro cultivation, crisis of fertilizer and fuel occurs. The cost of production for agricultural products is on the rise due to the exorbitant prices of electricity and all other agricultural inputs. As a result, it is the farmers who are worst hit economically and at the end of the day, they are the losers.

2. Security of Women And Children:

The women and children of this country are not at all safe due to the misrule of the BNP/Jamat alliance government. The alarming increase in violent crimes on women and children including killings, abduction, rape, acid attacks, physical assault, violation of womanhood and child abuse have made them vulnerable and insecure. Many of the victims of abduction and rape belong to the minority community. Alarmingly, there have also been instances of torture, humiliation and abuse at the hands of law enforcement officers. The following table shows the number of crimes committed against women and children during the period of October 2001 to January 2004:

From the above discussions, it is very clear that the BNP/Jamat alliance has failed in all areas of governance. Moreover, they have converted a state of prospects and bright potentials to a state of terrorism, killings and fundamentalism. Due to the three and a half year’s misrule of this government Bangladesh has become known all over the world as a death valley. This government has not only destroyed the image of the country but has brought the country to the verge of destruction. So, it is high time indeed for all the freedom-loving people to unite and fight against these evil forces- namely BNP- Jamat, the Islamic militants and terrorist groups in order to protect and preserve the sovereignty and integrity of Bangladesh.

Newsletter _______________________
Vol. 4. No. 3. 28 March 2005
Bangladesh Awami League Publication