ISLAMISTS EXTREMISTS HAS CHALLANGED NATIONAL SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENTS & HUMAN RIGHTS

On 17 August 2005 all the districts of Bangladesh save one became the unprece- dented target of simultaneous bomb attack of the Islamist militants. About 500 bombs went off throughout the country which is inconceivable too. People are wandering & taken a back at the display of the total success of the terrorists & unhindered capability in executing terrorist plan in such an overwhelming magnitude. In the context of the developed situation one may easily come to the conclusion that, this act of nation wide terrorism is the outcome of a long drawn multidimensional clandestine preparation & activities. It is more baffling & cannot be conceived of how such a gigantic all out prolonged preparation escaped the notice of the country’s “elite intelligence’’ & other law enforcers!

On 17 August in a Press Conference Lutfuzzaman Babar, state Minister for Home Affairs, Government of the Peoples’ republic of Bangladesh disclosed, they had advance info about subversive activities on 14-16 August & took all preparation to quell the situation. But the bombs went off on the following day! Million dollar question has been asked why they failed to see or think beyond. How they could come to the decisive conclusion that nothing would happen beyond the dates & as such stand down the alertness to zero level giving full opportunity to the terrorists for executing their long drawn blue-print of bomb attack & demonstrate their operational ability.

On the other hand all these amply prove the inefficiency, gross failure of the government & demonstrate the inactiveness of intelligence agencies in dealing national security & also protecting the image of the country. Leaf lets of Jamaatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB) containing call for “ Implementing Islamic law’’ was found in & around almost in all the bomb blast points. It has been proved beyond all reasonable doubts that JMB even after its band was actively operating under the leadership of Sheikh Abdur Rahman of Jamalpur & they have displayed their organizational capability through series bomb blasting.

From the very beginning Jamat-BNP Alliance has attached little importance to the activities of the extreme reactionaries & showed a very cold shoulder to the activities of the hard core Islamist terrorists. Influential Ministers have always tried to falsify the existence of the terrorist groups treating them as share “discovery of the journalists’’.

Surprisingly, even the rise of terrorist commander Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai & JMB was taken very lightly.

Though Prime Minister’s earlier order for the arrest of Bangla Bhai was not carried out yet while talking to a Editor of a daily English news paper in September 2004 she denied the existence of “Bangla Bhai’’. Actually the existence of a powerful lobby soft to the Islamist terrorists barred Police to take appropriate action. It is learnt from inside government sources that, Ministers, State Ministers & even high government officials extended blessings & co-operation to the xtremists/terrorists. Thus they have not only given encouragement but they have given shelter & all-out protection to Bangla Bhai for his survival!

Whatever be the Government’s explanations, there is no room for being complacent about the over expanding activities of various armed terrorist groups, their extensive propaganda, killing & subversive anti state activities. In the recent past they even launched attack on Grameen Bank & BRAC, NGO office in Northern part of Bangladesh as in principle the Islami terrorists don’t endorse their activities.

It has been gathered that International Islamists terrorist organizations linked with Al-Qaida established connection with various Bangladeshi terrorists’ net work.
Close associate of Osama bin Laden & the International terrorist organization Al Quida US National Enam Arnet & his “Benevolence International Organization’ was active in Bangladesh for 10 years. Its headquarters was at Uttora, Dhaka, Bangladesh. From a report of Daily Protham Alo dated 23 June 2003 it came to light that this Organization was registered with NGO-Bureau in 1992. It also maintained Bank account & Mr. Arnet operated the same. In 2002 a U S Law Court in Chicago convicted Enam Arnet for 8 years.

Another Al Quida- associated organization Al-Haramain operated in Bangladesh for 10 years taking NGO Bureau registration. Its head quarter was at Uttora, Dhaka. In 2002 seven foreign nationals involved in detrimental activities under Al-Haramain coverage was arrested by police for interrogation & unearthing their activities. Saudi embassy immediately intervened in the matter & after release they were sent out of Bangladesh. Subsequently under pressure from US government & with the mediation of Saudi government its office was closed in July 2004. At that time 14 foreign nationals left Bangladesh. Besides Bangladesh, Al-Haramain was also banned in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Albenia & Holland.

It is learnt from reliable source that a Kuwait based NGO Revival of Islamic Heritage (RIHS) organization is working in Bangladesh. It is alleged that it is involved not only in fetching fund to various terrorist organization but also engaged in motivational work. Four militants who were withdrawn for terrorist activities by Saudi Government are working in its Bangladesh branch. This Kuwait based RIHS is the main source for providing funds to Professor Dr. Asadullah Galib now in custody, Chief of Ahle Hadith in Bangladesh. Its office is located at Uttora, Dhaka. (Ref. The Daily Sangbad, 9 April, 2005).

Mufti Shafiqur Rahman, Amir & acting In-charge of Harkatul Jihad, Bangladesh revealed, 3000 Bangladeshi took part & 24 died in Afghan War. They participated in “Jihad’ under the leadership of Maulana Abdur Rahman Faruki. (Maulana Faruki is the first Bangladeshi who fought in Urugun Sector in 1984). 10 Bangladeshi has been maimed for life.

On March 2, 1988 a group of 10 Islamist leaders from Bangladesh who visited Afghan Mujaheeds amongst whom the names of Maulana Habibullah Misbah & Al-haj Maulana Md. Sultan Jawak founder Director of Chittagong Ma’ Arif al-Islamia are worth mentioning.

Immediately after the formation of Taleban Government in Afghanistan in a Press Conference on 30 April 1992 organized by Bangladeshi Mujaheed was attended by Harkatul Jihad leaders. (Maulana Obaydur Rahman Khan’s book, “In Afghanistan I have seen Allah’’ contain these information. Publisher of the book—Kitab Kendra, 50, Bangla Bazar, Dhaka).

Besides the above, farther 2,364 Al- Quida trained militants returned to Bangladesh. Their activities, where abouts are not either shadowed or monitored by Government. After 8/21
grenade attack in a meeting of Awami League Prime Minister Khaleda Zia exchanged views with the editors of the National Dailies. Taking this an opportunity, they apprised the Prime Minister about the activities of National & International Islamist militants inside Bangladesh. Though, as usual she was tight lipped yet she broke the spell & told to Matiur Rahman, Editor, Prothom Alo, “You put up bias & exaggerated report on the activities of Islamist militants. Confidently she farther told all these are very much under our control & can’t go beyond our fold’’. Now what comment she would make about 8/17 massive bomb blast throughout the country?

Now, it is evident that Islamist outfits have developed terrorists’ organizations getting foreign training, gathered strength & now become irresistible. Internal & external pressure has forced the government to ban 3 terrorist organizations, (1) Al Hikma (2) Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) & (3) Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB). That’s all; this is far & no farther! In each & every case the arrested militants were released from the Court due to poor, improper & intentional lodging of complaints by the state. Taking advantage of weak & flimsy framing of charge almost all the militants were released. During last year, in all 433 members of terrorist organizations were arrested but due to the absence week framing of specific charge, lack of co-ordination between various investigating Police Units, indecision on the part of the government most of the terrorists were freed. Even Bangla Bhai arrested on the charge of leading an attempted killing along with other associates from Bagerhat, surprisingly & intentionally Police excluded his name from charge sheet. (Ref. Daily Prothom Alo—Feb. 26, 2005). During the span of last 5 years specific names with existence of 43 terrorists organizations appeared in various National dailies. Simultaneously cassettes in praise of Osama bin Laden & Molla Omar were recovered from various nook & corner of the country. Instigating posters, stickers, books, magazines etc for drawing the attention of the young generation was available in shops & book-stalls. (Ref—Prothom Alo, 22-23 December 2004).

Besides the activities of Islamist militants, presences of various terrorist groups from Myanmar & India in the soil of Bangladesh were visible. In some cases report on the actions of the government were published in the National dailies that during encounters miscreants were arrested, killed or wounded; reports of recovery of AK-47 rifles, grenades, bombs etc though attracted the attention of the people yet all these failed to bring commendable impact in this sector & hardly could repair the image of the government.

During the span of last 10 months only from Naikhongchari, Bandarban district BDR recovered 432 AK-47, M-16, G-3 rifles, 17 types of 24 pieces heavy weapons & 29,727 rounds of ammunition. (Ref—Prothom Alo 14 August 2005)

Bangladesh is a route for smuggling of arms was discovered & proved when 10 tracks load weapons were recovered from Chittagong. It may pertinently be mentioned here that the port where the arms were seized is under the administrative control of Minister for Industries Motiur Rahman Nijami, Amir of Jamat-e-Islam. Prior to this big howl, smuggling of arms for the benefit of Indian terrorists was not an unknown matter rather a common phenomenon in the region which has been endorsed by various sources closed to the government.

On 27 June 2003 a huge howl of smuggled arms was made at Kahalu, Bogra but its destination, dealers is still shrouded with mystery. No headway could be made in the investigation. It has also been observed that after the catch lot of uproar was made but after few days all initiative to dive deep into the anti-state matters died down!

Attack on British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury, attack in Awami League meeting to assassin Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in which 22 Awami League leaders/workers died, murder of former Finance Minister SAMS Kibria MP by grenade attack-incidents were not investigated properly & no appropriate action was also initiated.

It is not only during BNP-Jamat alliance rule, in other regimes too----bomb & grenade attacks took place in different places of the country too. An attempt to assassin Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was made even during Awami League rule by planting 85 kg bomb at Kotalipara, Gopalgonj. Miraculously no harm could be inflicted as the conspiracy was detected beforehand. Bombs were exploded at Udichi’s cultural function in Jessore, CPB meeting at Paltan maidan, New Year’s traditional celebration at Batamul in Ramna Park, Dhaka & 7/8 other public places became the heinous target of the terrorists. Attempts were made by the previous government of Sheikh Hasina to find out, expose & punish the culprits responsible for grenade & bomb attack. In the Kotalipara incident involvement of Harkat-ul- Jihad was detected. Main accused & mastermind of the plan an Afghan trained Islamist militant Mufti Hannan managed to escape. Besides, other arrested accused were also freed when BNP-Jamat alliance came to power in 2001. Surprisingly a charge sheeted accused of a murder case found his way in the BNP cabinet.

From 6 March 1999 to 17 August 2005 sensational & serious 23 bomb cases were registered in which 181 men & women lost their lives & other 1399 were seriously injured.

It has been observed with great surprise that in every heinous incident government tried to divert the attention of the people to different direction, played a dubious bomb-grenade-blame game & tried to make Awami League & also some foreign countries responsible, ultimately raising its finger towards India. When the whole country plunged in the grip of Islami militants’ series bomb attack on 17 August 2005, in a very quick reaction Minister
Dr. Mosharraf Hussain with a dubious gesture said, “Forces responsible for tarnishing the image of the country in the eye of foreigners were solely responsible for this act of terrorism’’.

Jamat –e- Islami an influential partner of BNP alliance also played the same tune. Jamat leader (Amir) Motiur Rahman Nijami in his bid to divert the reality to different direction, destroy the gravity of the situation depicted JMB, a known terrorist organization as a rootless organization in name only. On the other hand Leader of the Opposition, President Awami League accused, the incident was organized by the militants nursed & nurtured with the blessings & at the behest of the government. She farther said, fearing opposition’s ever increasing popularity government maneuvered to divert the attention of the people, organized series bomb blast as a part of a big conspiracy. Activities of the Islamist militants are no longer an internal matter in Bangladesh & have drawn the attention of the outside world. As such attaching much importance, foreign Press gave wide coverage about the militants’ activities in Bangladesh from time to time. But government was vainly trying its utmost not only to black-out their activities but took all steps to keep the matter under the carpet with the mischievous intention to minimize the gravity of the situation & graded it as “not that detrimental’’ to the image of the country!

Now after the series bomb blast should not the party in power shun the culture of accusing the Opposition & take positive steps to trace out & unveil the hidden truth? But one can hardly keep one’s confidence as because alliance Ministers & parties have already taken a diametrically opposite & pole asunder attitude not to dig out the truth!

Mounting International pressure especially from USA, UK, though forced the government to take some eye-wash-action but its ultimate objectives were to create a smoke screen.

As such no tangible fruit was achieved. It would be a grave choice of the government whether it means business for stopping militant activities considering their acts really dangerous?

From the past experience it has been observed that government has always took lenient views in dealing terrorists. Influential quarter inside the government always extended tacit support to the terrorists. All through the government canalized all its efforts to put militant activities suppressed & outside the purview of the people.

Alliance partner War criminal of ’71, ---Jamat-e-Islami & Islami Oikyo Jote is working relentlessly dividing into number of groups are harping extremism materializing their long drawn plan of usurping government machinery & state power. Jamat-e-Islami has strong connection with good number of foreign terrorist organization, maintain high International connection. Under the influence of Jamat-e-Islam’s idealism BNP has sacrificed Ziaur Rahman’s “Bangladeshi Nationalism’’ at the alter of “Islami Nationalism’. A hidden current is following inside BNP for transforming it into a Jamat oriented organization.

Countrywide 8/17 blasting of series bomb blasting has shown how government’s soft attitude & inactiveness could let loose a horrific & dangerous display of terrorist activities.
The terrorists have now become a formidable force, a threat & a Frankenstein monster. They have acquired strength, capacity & capability to launch attack at any time, at any place with greater magnitude. Through the recent bomb attack they have flashed the message, “We are a reality. We are organized. We have gathered sufficient strength of striking in a bigger way’’.

17 August 05 attack, 21 August 04 grenades attack in a public meeting, attack on the British High Commissioner in Sylhet, attack in cinema halls in Mymensing & other attacks are no stray incidents, all are locked in the same naught. To work under government coverage, fundamental Islamist militants for their smooth sail are working relentlessly for keeping the ruling parties in power. To implement its wicked designs & objectives they have adapted dubious policy, chalked out a long drawn plan for annihilating Secular-Democratic force & thus usher the emergence of “Sharia’ based Islamic Bangladesh.

National security of Bangladesh is at stake. People are worried. Unknown fear & helplessness has grabbed the nation! Country’s future is dark & bleak. Is now evident & clear that a terrorist activity of the Islamist fundamentalist is on the increase in Bangladesh. To save the country from the clutches of the evil militants there is no other way but to destroy it root & branch. All its International connections have to be cut off otherwise democracy, national security would be a far cry. The forces which planned countrywide simultaneous bomb attack through their militant networks have to be countered & replaced by defeating the ruling fundamental-alliance. There is no other substitute than to establish a Secular-Democratic government which is the real answer to the existing menace.

(This report is prepared in the basis of an article published in Prothom Alo on 19 August 2005 by its Editor Motiur Rahman)

Newsletter _______________________
Vol-4, No-6, 31 August 2005
Bangladesh Awami League Publication