FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY
INBANGLADESH: SERIES OF
SABOTAGE BY THE PROGOVERNMENT THUGS
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
PRO-GOVT. PEOPLE CAUGHT RED-HANDED ACROSS THE COUNTRY ............. 5
Jessore: AL activist accused of fire truck in blockade ...................................................................................... 5
Comilla: BCL-men caught red-handed while hurling bombs........................................................................... 6
Feni: Ruling Party, Awami League leader’s nephew caught with petrol bombs ............................................ 6
Chapainawabganj: 44 petrol bombs recovered from AL leader’s home ......................................................... 7
Narsingdi: AL leader’s son arrested with petrol bombs ................................................................................... 7
Dhaka: Police redeemed the suspect of cocktail attack ..................................................................................... 7
Chittagong: Two Jubo League Men held with Bombs ...................................................................................... 8
Chuadanga: Jubo League Activist Seized with Bomb ....................................................................................... 8
Narayanganj: Four members of Chatra League injured while making bombs .............................................. 9
Comilla: Juba League men released hours after arrest with petrol bombs .................................................. 10
Rajshahi: Liability of bomb-attack admitted by RU Chhatra League .......................................................... 11
Feni: 4 Jubo Leaguea Activist burnt while making bomb .............................................................................. 11
Pabna: 2 Jubo League activists injured while making Bomb ......................................................................... 12
Chittagong: Police Seized 10 Petrol Bombs from AL Office........................................................................... 12
Barishal: Gun, billhooks seized from BCL students' mess ..................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Bogra: AL activist injured while making bomb at home ................................................................................ 14
FURTHER PROOFS REGARDING INVOLVEMENT OF PRO-GOVT. PEOPLE .... 16
Pro-Govt. people committed sabotage before .................................................................................................. 16
AL giving certificate for bail .............................................................................................................................. 16
Firebomb on bus despite police escort .............................................................................................................. 17
Police’s mysterious silence on arson spot.......................................................................................................... 18
Govt. boss claimed involvement of Al Qaeda in arson! ................................................................................... 19
Govt. allows filming at Dhaka Medical Hospital Burn Unit ........................................................................... 19
2|Page
OVERALL SCENERIO OF BANGLADESH AT PRESENT .......................................... 20
Vandalism by Joint Force .................................................................................................................................. 20
Govt. banned political activities ........................................................................................................................ 21
Heavy loss of life, no action against ruling party’s miscreants ....................................................................... 21
Roar from Govt. bosses rather than taking step for dialogue......................................................................... 21
Extra-judicial killing on the rise ........................................................................................................................ 22
Mass Arrest of opposition-men.......................................................................................................................... 22
Role of media questioned ................................................................................................................................... 22
Legal redress institutions wrecked .................................................................................................................... 23
Concern expressed even from UN ..................................................................................................................... 23
RECOMMENDATION ......................................................................................................... 23
3|Page
The Backdrop
In Bangladesh, a countrywide blockade called by 20-party alliance has been going on since
5th January 2015 in demand of a fresh election. On the other hand, the autocratic Govt. has
been escalating its ruthless drive on the opposition activists and leaders and committing
extra-judicial killing, enforced disappearance on regular basis.
One of the most disturbing and horrifying feature of the latest political unrest is the
widespread usage of Molotov Cocktails, popularly known in Bangladesh as ‘Petrol Bombs’.
These handheld weapons have been used before in Bangladeshi street protests, but not in this
level. Over sixty people have died since January 5 from arson attacks by ‘unknown
miscreants’. Police have imposed an ban on vehicles to move in the highways after 9:00 pm.
These attacks on general people have been vehemently criticized from all squares of
Bangladesh, including the opposition and civil societies. However, the AL regime directly
pointed fingers towards the opposition activists as responsible for those killings, and initiated
to tackle the situation with full executive force. As a result, more than 30 people have been
killed on the name of ‘crossfire’ or ‘gunfight’. Combing operation for searching the
miscreants caused looting, vandalizing and mass-arresting general or pro-opposition people
in Rangpur, Chapainababganj, Comilla, Noakhali and many other districts. So far, over
18,000 people have been arrested, and many went missing. Yet, the petrol bomb attacks on
buses, trucks and other vehicles are not stopping.
In this situation, a number of incidents have been published on national newspapers that
proves that pro-Govt. people are involved in these arson attacks and in some cases they have
been arrested by police though later released in the order of Govt.
Therefore a valid belief has been grown up in people’s mind that, when the blockade program
of 20-party alliance has received mass support, the Govt. is probably trying to vilify the
4|Page
image of movement by conducting sabotage acts with the help of state agencies, ruling-party
leaders and activists. The involvement of Pro-Govt. people (Awami League, Jubo League,
Chhatra League etc) has been proved several times, but the Govt. and some media houses
seem to hide these facts and are blaming 20-party-alliance for the subversive acts.
This report is designed to include some sabotage acts committed by pro-Govt forces. All the
incidents mentioned hereafter have been collected from various newspapers or news-portals
of the country.
Pro-Govt. people caught red-handed across the country: Some incidences
Jessore: AL activist accused of fire truck in blockade
Police have filed a suit against the AL
activist and member of Union Council,
Mojibur Rahman, in accusation of firing a
truck loaded with onion at mid night on
12 January, 2015 in midst of running
blocked. Moreover, he was convicted of violence in cases of 2 October last year.
The leader alleged that, because of speaking against the drug business, some of the corrupt
officials of the administration collude with police filed the case against him to harass only.
In a press conference at Jessore Press Club, Mojibur alleged these. Earlier, he with the local
people submitted a memorandum to the SP to withdraw the cases.
5|Page
But, the DSB Fayez Ahmed told, if crime is happened, it doesn’t matter whether the criminal
is of AL or BNP. After the investigation, if he found innocent, he would get rid of all these
cases. Otherwise, proper steps should be taken.1
Comilla: BCL-men caught red-handed while hurling bombs
On 19th January 2015 (Monday), at the rail station of Comilla,
two Chhatra League activists were caught red handed while
hurling crude bombs at the platform of rail station in order to
create panic among people. The arrested activists are Nasir and
Shipon. Both of them are involved with the Chhatra League of Comilla Victoria College.2
Feni: Ruling Party, Awami League leader’s nephew caught with petrol bombs
On 25th January 2015 (Sunday), police detained local Awami League leader’s nephew
Azimuddin (27) from his house with 7 petrol bomb kept beside the Feni telephone exchange
house. Arrested Azim, is the nephew of Feni local Awami League Secretary General Abdul
Karim and son of Farid Ahmed.
He was detained on a special raid led by police prompted by an anonymous tipoff. Police
informed that they recovered 7 petrol bomb, 1cocktail bomb and local arms based on the
seized information. Area (Zila) police Superintendent Rezaul went to the location to monitor
the search operation.3
1
banglamail24.com
2
http://www.rtnn.net/bangla//newsdetail/detail/1/4/98130#.VL03bl4gKB
http://www.sheershanews.com/2015/01/25/66487
3
6|Page
Chapainawabganj: 44 petrol bombs recovered from AL leader’s home
On 27th January 2015 (Tuesday), 44 cocktail bombs have been
recovered from Awami League district leader Mohammad Yusuf
Ali’s home. Shibgonj police OC Moinul Islam confirmed the
recovery of the weapons after several explosions occurred in the
early hours of the day. Police searched the house of Yusuf Ali and found the cocktail bombs
in a bag. However, no one has been detained or arrested.4
Narsingdi: AL leader’s son arrested with petrol bombs
On January 28, 2015 the detective branch of police arrested the son of a Awami
Muktijodhdha League leader at Sonar Bangla market of Madhabdi municipality in Narsingdi
and recovered five petrol bombs from him.
The arrested was identified as Md Masum, 22, son of Nuralapur union Awami Muktijoddha
League vice president Zehar Ali. Police, quoting local people, said Masum was a miscreant.
A case was filed with the Narsingdi sadar police in this connection, police said.5
Dhaka: Police redeemed the suspect of cocktail attack
On February 2, 2015 (Monday) policed released the alleged cocktail attacker near at
Panthapath in the capital. Witnesses told, Sub Inspector of Tejgaon Police Station, Rakibul
Islam, released a cocktail attacker named Jashim in front of the Atish Dipankar University
near about 9pm on Monday. The police beat Vashkor Dhar who caught Jashim in red hand.
When asked, SI Rakibul denied the charges. He told, some boys of Chhatra League have been
sit there in front of the Atish Dipankar University. I haven’t released anyone.6
4
5
http://www.dinkalonline.net/front/news/142236466616735
http://newagebd.net/90235/al-leaders-son-arrested-with-petrol-bombs/#.dpuf
7|Page
Chittagong: Two Jubo League Men held with Bombs
On February 4, 2015, police arrested two Jubo league (youth wing of ruling party) leaders
from Jagannath Dighi Union of Chauddagram, Comilla. At the time of arrest both of them
were in possession of petrol bombs. The two Jubo League leaders of Jagannath Dighi Union
have been identified as Bulbul and Manik. Local people and witnesses testified that the two
were arrested today (Wednesday) at around 11PM in the night.
However, Chauddogram police OC, Uttam Kumar Chakrabarti, denied that anyone had been
arrested in the incident. He said, “we found two petrol bomb lying on the road but no one was
arrested.”7
Chuadanga: Jubo League Activist Seized with Bomb
On February 04, 2015 police captured a Jubo League worker, a faction of the ruling Awami
League, with two powerful bombs. The worker was arrested on an anti-terrorist drive at
Jibonnogor Upazila of Chuadanga. Jubo League activist Mizanur Rahman Mizan (34) was
arrested from Mafrudah village of the Upazilla on Thursday. He is the son of Fazlur Rahman
from same village.
Police stated that he was wandering suspiciously on the road. Later police interrogated him
and found him suspicious and as he was searched thoroughly he was captured with two
bombs.
Humayn Kabir, Officer in Charge of Jibonnagar, stated that Mizan was sent to jail through
court after questioning as he was captured red handed with two bombs.8
6
http://www.samakal.net/2015/02/02/116316
7
http://progressbangladesh.com/two-jubo-league-men-held-with-bombs-in-chittagong/
http://www.samakal.net/2015/02/05/116875 and http://insidebd.net/news/2015/02/05/details/3052
8
8|Page
Narayanganj: Four members of Chatra League injured while making bombs
On 4th February 2015 (Wednesday), four activists of Chatra league, the student wing of the
ruling party Awami League, of Sonab area, Rupganj sub district have been injured while
making bombs. Among them, one was said to be in critical condition. There were rumors
about the death of Rokmotullah, one of the injured, on Thursday morning. But till the report
was written, the death was not confirmed. The injured have been admitted to Dhaka Pongu
Hospital and other local clinics.
The accident was said to have occurred late at night on Wednesday, at the house of Awami
league Leader Lokman Hossain of Vulta Union, under the supervision of his son Chatra
league leader while making bombs in a jute storage room at the facilities.
According to police reports from the local police station, residents heard sounds of a loud
blast from the jute storage facility of Chatra League leader Shahin Mia last Wednesday at
around 1.30 am in Sonab locality. Later police from Vulta station went there to investigate
and found that Rokomotulllah, Shahin mia, Kobir and Rasel had been seriously injured while
making bombs. Among them, Rokomotullah (23), the son of ward no. 9 Awami league
President Abdul Hai, was subsequently admitted to Dhaka Pongu hospital in critical
condition. After being informed, Rupgonj thana police OC and other high officials went to
visit the site yesterday. The police broke into a room under lock where the blast had occurred
and allegedly confiscated the evidence, including 10 machetes, multiple knives and various
local and foreign arms. The locals and other witnesses complained that right after the
incident, several Awami league and Chatra league cadres had gone and cleared the evidence
from the spot. Witnesses alleged that the members had resided there overnight and went away
at the morning.
9|Page
Regarding this issue, Rupganj Thana Chatra League leader Hafizur Rahman Shojib briefed
jounalists that those involved were not from the Chatra league. “I have not seen them in any
Chatra league or Awami league programs or rallies”, he said.9
Comilla: Juba League men released hours after arrest with petrol bombs
On February 4, 2015 (Wednesday), police set free two Awami Juba League activists a few
hours after the police arrested them with petrol bombs at Jagannathdighi of Chauddagram
upazila in Comilla.
Local people alleged that the police arrested the ruling Awami League-baked youth
organisation’s Jagnnath union unit president Manik its activist Babul in Keskir crossing area
at Jagannathdighi at about 10:00pm with petrol bombs and later took them to Chauddagram
police station.
The police, however, said that they recovered some petrol bombs from behind Manik’s
house, not from his possession. ‘Miscreants might have kept the bombs behind Manik’s
house in a bid to implicate him in the crime and that is why we have released them,’
Chauddagram police station officer-in-charge Uttam Kumar Chakrabarti told media on
Thursday. He said that the Juba League men were released on Wednesday evening.
It’s notable that, at least seven people, including two women, were burnt alive and 26 others
sustained burn injuries in a firebomb attack on a bus on Dhaka-Chittagong highway at
Jagamohanpur of Chouddagram upazila on early Tuesday.10
9
http://mzamin.com/details.php?mzamin=NjI0NjU%3D&s=MQ%3D%3D#.VNNaByUH7MA.facebook
10
http://newagebd.net/92758/juba-league-men-released-hours-after-arrest-with-petrol-bombs#sthash.DBhKGebq.dpuf
10 | P a g e
Rajshahi: Liability of bomb-attack admitted by RU Chhatra League
On February 5, 2015 (Thursday) official Facebook page of Rajshahi University BSL
confessed petrol bombs and explosions. It was posted at about 1pm on Thursday. The status
says, “What a politics! We are throwing petrol bombs, but the responsibility comes on the
shoulder of Nationalist Student Front and Islami Chhatra
Shibir”
But, Student League claims, the account was hacked by
shibir! On the other hand, RU BSL president Mizanur
Rahman Rana confirmed the page as the official page and
said, one of the two admins’ account was hacked. I have informed about this to the police.11
Feni: 4 Jubo Leaguea Activist burnt while making bomb
On February 7, 2015 (Saturday) four Jubo
League activist were burnt in Feni while they
were making petrol ombs. Earliar another Jubo
League activist Jahid died in explosion while
making bombs in the same town.
Police and the local says, Some Jubo League
Ripon, the Jubo League actvist injured from his own
bomb making
activists were making petrol boms in a
abandoned poultry farm near Laxmipur Govt. Primary School on Satuday afternoon. Around
4.30 an explosion takes place and burns the bomb makers. The explosion sound spread panic.
Local arrive at the spot and rescue injured Saiful (32), Ripon (35), Shah Alam( 28) and Jamal
11
http://www.jugantor.com/current-news/2015/02/05/216060#sthash.vMXwUTvm.dpuf
11 | P a g e
(25). Victims were sent to Feni. Saiful and Ripon were admitted to Feni Sadar Hospital. The
others are taking treatment on their own.
Senior Police Super (Circle) Md. Shamsul Alam Sarkar confirmed he incident.12
Pabna: 2 Jubo League activists injured while making Bomb
On February 6, 2015 (Friday) at Pabna, 2 activists of Jubo League were injured while making
bomb, one lost his wrists of both hands at the explosion of the bomb.
Police recovered gunpowder and bomb-making materials from the scene. 4 people were
arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident.At noon on Friday, this incident occurred
at Dharmagram in Ataikula Thana.Mangal Pramanik was admitted into Pabna general
Hospital with serious injuries.
Police said that, Mangal Pramanik and Rashidul Islam were making bomb in a fish farm of
Rubel Hossen at Friday noon. Suddenly bomb exploded and Mangal Pramanik lost his wrists,
on the other hand, Rashidul got injured in his leg. Local people rescued them and sent to the
Pabna General Hospital with serious injuries. OC of Ataikula Police station confirmed the
incident and said, injured are of the extremist groups. This is happened while making bomb
with the intension of sabotage. He told, insurgency has been beefed up to planners of
subversion.13
12
13
http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/details.php?nayadiganta=MTU3OA%3D%3D&s=MjM%3D#sthash.bSiqkcD1.dpuf
http://www.amadershomoys.com/newsite/2015/02/06/208041.htm#.VNuHeCwpe0p
12 | P a g e
Chittagong: Police Seized 10 Petrol Bombs from AL Office
On 8th February (Sunday), police recovered 10 bottles
of petrol bombs and 4 empty bottles from Chittagong
Agrabad P.G.S colony office of Awami League in a
drive out. The bombs were found discarded. However,
Police couldn’t arrest anyone for the incident. The
crude bombs were found around 8:00 on Sunday morning. Sub-Inspector Aziz of
Dabulmuring Thana confirmed the news but stated that he had no knowledge in respect of the
place being Awami League office.14
Barishal: Gun, billhooks seized from BCL students' mess
On 7th February 7 2014 (Saturday),
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion
(Rab) arrested an activist of Bangladesh
Chhatra League (BCL) and his five
associates from a students' mess in the city
and seized a shooter gun, two cartridges
Rapid Action Battalion arrested a Chhatra League leader and
his five associates and seized a shooter gun, sharp weapons,
and a stolen motorcycle from their possession at Ichhathi in
Barisal city on 7th February 7 2014.
and eight sharp weapons and a stolen
motorcycle from their possession. The
arrestees are Kamruzzaman Likhon, a
14
http://www.sheershanews.com/2015/02/08/68092
13 | P a g e
former member of BCL Barisal city unit, and his associates Palash Chandra, Sushanta
Biswas, Shimul Bepari, Rajib Hossain, and Sohel.
Rab Commander Captain Abul Bashar said the elite force, acting on a tip-off, raided the
students' mess in Ichhathi area under Ward No 29 and arrested the BCL man and his five
associates.
They seized one shooter gun, two cartridges, eight billhooks, nine mobile sets and one stolen
motorcycle
from
the
possession
of
the
arrestees,
the
commander
said.
The BCL man was involved in drug peddling, illegal toll collection and other criminal
activities, Rab sources said.
Rab handed over the five to Barisal Airport Police Station. They were later produced Barisal
Metropolitan Magistrate's court that sent them to jail.15
Bogra: AL activist injured while making bomb at home
On 10th February 2015 (Tuesday), in a
bizarre spate of events, an activist of
Bangladesh Awami League, the governing
party in Bangladesh, has been injured while
making crude bombs at his own home. The
Injured Awami League Activist Shohag
name of the injured was Shohag (22). He is a Jubo league leader, the youth organization of
Awami League. He is also the the son of Shafikul Islam from the Boro Dhawa village of the
15
http://www.thedailystar.net/gun-billhooks-seized-from-students-mess-63893
14 | P a g e
Gokul union in Bogra District. He is also the nephew of the local Awami league ward
secretary Mr. Gani. Shohag himself is also the joint secretary of the local ward Awami
League.
Local sources said he was injured while making a bomb on Tuesday, 10th February 2015, at
around 3.00 pm. He had been rushed to a clinic and has lost a few nails in the blast. A relative
has confirmed that he has been admitted to a clinic, but is reluctant to disclose the details. But
sources have confirmed he was first rushed to the TMSS Refatullah Community Hospital,
and from there under police protection he was admitted to Ziaur Rahman Bogura Medical
College. It is alleged that the police were trying to protect his identity by registering him
incognito under a different alias.
This incident is one of the incidents where governing party loyalists are either caught or are
injured with bombs. In the murky political situation prevailing in the country, such incidents
are adding to the confusion as to who is actually behind the violence on the streets which has
claimed more than 50 lives already.16
16
BD24Live Bogura Correspondent, Sheershanews
15 | P a g e
Further proofs regarding involvement of pro-Govt. thugs
Pro-Govt. people committed sabotage before
Awami League, the ruling party has a history to conduct such sabotage acts in past. Earlier,
the activists of the ruling party were caught red-handed while committing arson attack in
order to vilify the image of the opposition’s movement. For example, on January 1, 2014
(Wednesday) police arrested 3 BCL activists form the Parnanduali Bus Terminal area in
Magura. Police confirmed that they were trying to arson a bus. They were arrested. The
arrestees are district BCL's religious affairs secretary Sajjadur Molla (24) and worker Rana
(22) and Limon (19). Two bottle of petrol and a match were found with them.
Police sources told, the three men were trying to set a fire on the vehicles plying on the
Dhaka-Chittagong highway by throwing petrol at about 8 o’clock besides the bus terminal. At
that time, police caught them on the spot.17
AL giving certificate for bail
A very interesting discovery revealed that, Awami League leaders are submitting
recommendation letters, testimonials and certificates to police on behalf of the arrested
arsonists. These certificates are used as bonds, and the arrested criminals are being released at
once. In some cases, these certificates are being submitted at the Court. Another interesting
aspect is, these certificates from local Awami League leaders are available at certain prices.
Even miscreants not belonging to any political party can literally buy one of these to make
their way out of the prison.
17
http://goo.gl/jo0J78
16 | P a g e
For instance, the student of Shahid Sohrawardi
Medical College, Md Rezaul Islam, was arrested by
the Mohammodpur Police. After the incident, the
lawyer of Rezaul submitted a certificate at the court
to get the bail. The certificate, signed by Md
Mosharraf Hossen (the president of Pabna City
Awami League), states, convicted Rezaul Islam is a
member of Awami League and he is not involved
with any anti-state subversive acts.
This is not just an incident of Mohammodpur, rather a incident across the country where
hundreds of arrestees are redeemed by the certificate of Awami League leaders. And those
leaders are taking a large sum of money by giving this certificate, sometimes they are giving
it because of their relationship. Law enforcement officials are being disappointed with these
repeated acts. They also informed the higher authority about it. The officials told, if the
leaders do not stop to deliver the certificate, it is impossible to get the accused to the court.
Moreover, many of them are getting involved in violence after the bail.18
Firebomb on bus despite police escort
In a number of incidents, firebombs have been
thrown to buses in the immediate presence of
law-enforcing agencies and they played very
passive and unacceptable role in preventing the
18
http://www.bd-pratidin.com/lead-news/2015/02/06/61121#sthash.SAnBy6NE.dpuf
17 | P a g e
The Dhaka-bound bus started its journey from the
Gaibandha bus terminal. The vehicle was part of a
motorcade traveling under police escort.
arson and taking proper step after the incident.
For exapmle, in the night of February 06, 2015 (Friday), at least four people, including three
children, have been burnt alive in a petrol bomb attack on bus in front of the REB (Rural
electrification bureau) office at Tulshighat area of Gaibanbdha Sadar upazila. The attacked
bus was under police protection while it was attacked.
The Dhaka-bound bus started its journey from the Gaibandha bus terminal. The vehicle was a
part of a motorcade travelling under police escort. When the escort reach the spot, miscreant
hurled petrol bombs at the bus and disappeared immediately, the OC admitted.19
Police’s mysterious silence on arson spot
On 3rd February 2015 (Tuesday), in a
mindless arson attack, at least seven
people were killed and 16 burnt after
miscreants petrol-bombed a bus on the
Dhaka-Chittagong
highway
in
Chouddagram upazila of Comilla. Among the deceased, five males and two females were
burnt dead on the spot. Six were admitted to DMCH and two of them were in critical
condition.
But the mockery was that, the police reached the spot immediately after the fire incident. But
their roles were described to be ‘mysteriously passive’ by the victims. A bus passenger
described the bus firebombing incident in a Live interview on Bangladeshi private television
19
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/feb/07/petrol-bomb-attack-killed-3-including-child-burnt-25-gaibandha0#sthash.1iSqR6lV.dpuf
18 | P a g e
channel, 71 TV saying: “I saw the police who were standing right there. None of them were
coming to help. They didn’t even inform the fire services.20
Adviser of PM claimed involvement of Al Qaeda in arson!
On 4th February 2015, HT Imam, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Political Affairs
Advisor, claimed that Al Qaeda was
involved in the patro-bomb attack in
Comilla. He urged his forces to participate
in the real war.
“After winning the January 5 election, it is now the time to participate in the real war”, he
said while speaking at a program at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city.
“We will provide more weapons to law enforcing agencies in a bid to win the war. Side-byside volunteers of pro-liberation forces will assist the law enforcing agencies to defeat the
enemy forces”, said HT Imam.
Calling upon the new generation and pro-liberation forces, HT Imam said, “It is not time to
prevent them, it is the time to destroy them”. “We have begun the real war against Al-Qaeda
and militants”, HT Imam added.21
Govt. allows filming at Dhaka Medical Hospital Burn Unit
The burnt victims are brought into the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and
Pro-Govt. activists from all fronts – Media, Cultural, political and others, are gathering there
20
21
http://www.bd-today.net/newsdetail/detail/200/110813
http://goo.gl/4FZ2UQ, http://www.risingbd.com/english/detailsnews.php?nssl=22100
19 | P a g e
to capitalize the pain and agony of the victims for their own political purposes. Even music
videos are being shot inside the sensitive ward.
Arranged photography in Burn Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital
The authority of the Govt. hospital is allowing these inhuman activities to be held inside the
‘burnt unit’ though giving someone permission to shoot with the burn victims is out of
question.22
Overall Scenario of Bangladesh at Present
Vandalism by Joint Force
Since 15 January 2015, the Bangladesh government has deployed "Joint Forces" to conduct
operations against the opposition. Houses and shops of those identified as opposition
supporters in northern Bangladesh are ending up demolished. Hundreds of people, including
women and children, have been internally displaced as a result of the crackdown. he police
and paramilitary forces are facilitating vandalism of private property by ruling party cadres,
who have been ransacking households and setting fire during the operation. The lawenforcement agencies and the ruling politicians are justifying the crackdown with the excuse
that the government is protecting citizens from those responsible for violence and arson
attacks taking place on the streets and highways of Bangladesh.
22
http://progressbangladesh.com/movie-filming-at-dhaka-medical-hospital-burn-unit/
20 | P a g e
Govt. banned political activities
Since 3 January 2015, the police have sealed the central offices of the Bangladesh Nationalist
Party (BNP), the primary opposition party, and confined its chairperson therein. The police
have also banned political meetings of the opposition; they have, however, allowed the ruling
party to hold public rallies.
Heavy loss of life, no action against ruling party’s miscreants
The resultant opposition blockade since 5 January 2015 has intensified the clash in
Bangladesh. Hundreds of vehicles have come under arson attack, causing deaths and burn
injuries to innocent passengers and motor-workers. More than 80 people have lost their live.
Many of the attacks are taking place in front of the police; however, the police are not
arresting the perpetrators in all such incidents. There have been instances where local people
have caught members of the ruling party's student and youth wings in possession of "petrol
bombs"; the police have ended up releasing them without pressing any charges.
Roar from Govt. bosses rather than taking step for dialogue
Following Commerce Minister Torail Ahmed's threat to eliminate the opposition by
extrajudicial methods on 11 January, the Minister for Food Md. Qamrul Islam has, on 15
January, termed the opposition as “terrorists” and vowed to use bullets against opposition
activists. On the same day, the Director General of BGB, Aziz Ahmed, has stated in a press
briefing that if anyone is suspected to be carrying a (crude) bomb his soldiers will go the
“casualty” route to save the life of others, and for the self-defence of the soldiers. The
following day, Inspector General of Police, A.K.M. Shahidul Haque, and Director General of
RAB, Benazir Ahmed, echoed similar ideas in a public meeting. The Inspector General of
Police said that "… the police 'with the last drops of their blood' would protect the elected
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government and eliminate the terror unleashed by the 'anti-liberation elements' in the name of
movement…." The Director General of the RAB, reportedly stated, "a handful of terrors had
declared war against the state, the people and the society. Elections will be held in the
scheduled time and people will give their mandate in the polls." And, on 17 January, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "the hands of the culprits who make and hurl petrol bombs
should be burnt so they can feel the pain of arson victims."
Extra-judicial killing on the rise
In the days that have followed these statements, the police have extra judicially murdered at
least 30 people of the opposition. The law-enforcement agencies have claimed that they had
"gunfights; relatives of the victims have claimed that their dear-ones were detained much
earlier by law-enforcement agents and were murdered in a preplanned manner as part of the
governmental plan of eliminating the opposition from the country.
Mass Arrest of opposition-men
Around twenty thousand people, including opposition activists, have been arrested in the last
three weeks. The police have been extorting millions of Taka from the detainees by using
torture and threatening to kill them in the pretext of "gunfight" or "crossfire". The detainees
are being implicated in various criminal cases.
Role of media questioned
The violence and chaos of Bangladesh is not being adequately reflected in the national media,
because of serious repression by the state. Most of the private television channels and print
media are owned and operated by pro-government entrepreneurs and ideologists. The few
who wish to expose the reality are maintaining self-censorship, following constant
intimidation from the intelligence agencies and ruling party supporters.
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Legal redress institutions wrecked
Legal redress from the existing criminal justice institutions of Bangladesh is impossible, due
to high degree of politicisation in the police, prosecution, and Judiciary. The ruling party has
subjugated all these institutions, including the Supreme Court. Local remedies are neither
accessible nor affordable due to the subjugated roles played by the country’s institutions.
Concern expressed even from UN
The UN Human Rights Council expressed its concern over the situation of Bangladesh. It has
urged "the authorities to ensure the prompt, impartial and effective investigation of all
killings committed – irrespective of whether they were committed by State or non-State
actors."
Recommendation
1. The government must stop killing people by law enforcing agencies. The right to life
of every citizen must be respected by the government. Every detainee should be given
all the constitutional and legal rights.
2. The Bangladesh government has to stop the practice of picking up opposition activists
without official acknowledgement as a means to suppress the members of the
opposition.
3. The Awami League government should immediately resign and replace another nonparty government as per the aspiration of the people for the purpose of holding a free
and fair election.
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4. The arrest and extra-judicial killing of leaders and activists of the opposition across
the country is against the spirit of democracy and therefore should immediately be
stopped. It’s culpable that opposition leaders are being killed and arrested unjustly
while the ruling party activists are staging sabotage.
5. The arrested political leaders and activists in the conspicuously groundless cases must
be set free. The malicious cases filed by police for harassing them should be
withdrawn.
6. Article 37 of Bangladesh Constitution provides, every citizen has the right to
assemble and to participate in public meetings and processions peacefully and
without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law.23 But the present
Govt. is showing gross reluctance to this provision and curtailing this constitutional
right by abuse of chance provided by the Constitution to make restriction on holding
assembly. According to the provision, such restriction has to be reasonable. So,
immediate relaxation of the imposition of restriction is desirable. It is urged that the
government should withdraw the restriction immediately.
7. Bangladesh is a state party of various International Laws that bars it to take initiatives
that tend to form any kind of torture. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), 1984 is one of them that
declares in its Article 2:
(a) Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or
other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.
23
Article 37 of the Constitution of Bangladesh.
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(b) No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a
threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may
be invoked as a justification of torture.
(c) An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked
as a justification of torture.
Article 4 of this international instrument says: Each State Party shall ensure that all
acts of torture are offences under its criminal law. The same shall apply to an attempt
to commit torture and to an act by any person which constitutes complicity or
participation in torture. 2. Each State Party shall make these offences punishable by
appropriate penalties which take into account their grave nature.
These provisions are binding on Bangladesh as it has signed and approved this
International Law on 5 October, 1998. Instead of implementing, the existing Govt. is
increasing the torture with brutal style on the oppositions. This is really very
unacceptable and Govt. should immediately stop these violations.
8. The Govt. is under obligation to investigate the unlawful use of force by security
forces and ruling party men thoroughly and impartially, and to prosecute those
responsible for carrying out or ordering such acts. In the past, the government has
taken no action even in cases of well-documented unlawful killings by the security
forces during protests.
9. The government should publicly order the security forces to follow the UN Basic
Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which
state that security forces shall “apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of
force and firearms,” and that “whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is
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unavoidable, law enforcement officials shall: (a) Exercise restraint in such use and act
in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be
achieved; (b) Minimize damage and injury, and respect and preserve human life.”
10. The international community should create pressure upon the government of
Bangladesh to accept the rightful demand of public without further delay. They must
consider while making any decision about their relation with Bangladesh the issues of
freedom of expression and assembly, human rights violation and torture by law
enforcing agencies.
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