Uncanny politics of Bangladesh
Joe Fleishman
April 23, 2009
Bangladesh is standing on a hot lava dome. It is growing slowly but steadily, no body knows when it will explode. This hot lava is the militants. Wide range of political backing is helping them found another safe heaven. It is not a matter that starts all of a sudden. It was all begins when militants started their business at least 10 years ago. At that time the Awami League was in the government. Terrorists have made their first appearance with an explosion at a Udichi cultural function in Jessore left 10 people dead and over 100 injured and from them on they never have to look back.
At the same year on October 8, eight people were killed and 30 others injured in a bomb blast at Ahmedia Masjid in Khulna.
Within few years they have escalated their attacks. On January 20, 2001, seven people were killed in bomb blasts at a CPB rally at Paltan Maidan and nearby Awami League office at Bangabandhu Avenue. In 2001 Islamic militants explode bomb in Bengali New Year celebration killing 10 people, injuring at least 50 others.
Awami League at that time increased their effort to get these Islamic militants. But it was election year and main opposition party BNP utilized the opportunity, able to convinced people that Awami League´s action is against the Islam. To prove their devotion BNP made an election ally with some radical Islamic groups. Their gamble was paid off.
BNP formed the government in 2001 election. Their victory pushed back Awami League effort to fight against the terrorist, but soon after real story was started to disclose in front of the people. Country was experienced a series of bomb blast, in open public place, court, movie theater, public meeting –everywhere. But ruling BNP was greatly thankful for their election victory and highly reluctant to take any action against those fanatics. Rather they considered if they let these militants grow –they (BNP) will be the gainer at the end. Their election victory gave them extra confidence on their strategy. So, when media was giving disturbing coverage on militant´s activities –government was completely denied the matter and said it was opposition propaganda, made by media. In some cases, journalists were captured, arrested, tortured and even the evidence that journalists were collected were destroyed. They have done their best to prevent the media covering those militant stories.
At one stage militants became so daredevils that they made victory rally after killing people. The armed militant openly declared war against those who come to stop them. Media published photo of a man hanging upside down from a tree –were also not taken as a matter. Many of the Awami League workers were then made victim of these brutal killings. BNP government at that time was still strong on their so called "Propaganda" theory. In their mind they thought the destruction of Awami League would help BNP eventually. The lesser Awami League workers remain the greater the opportunity for BNP.
In the year 2004 a deadly grenade attack on Awami League meeting astounded the nation which killed at least 23 people, hundreds where injured. Many top Awami League leaders were killed instantly and in aftermath. Now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is still carrying the wound in her ear of that heartrending attack. It is widely believe, fanatic Islamic group and BNP were directly involved in that attack. Name of at least two former ministers are already found in connection of that attack. Perhaps this is the reason why BNP failed to solve this grenade attack mystery.
It was until 17th August 2005 when a nationwide bomb blast rocked the country. The government then realized it is time for the action. They were able to capture some top leaders of the militants. But it was too late then.
When government went into action, Islamic militants have already laid seeds in many places. Government was managed to cut down the top branches of the tree but could not stop them growing.
Now Awami League is once again in the government. The extremists are in deep urgency. This is their time to get some gain from the opposition once again. Opposition BNP is also not standing quiet. They are waiting for their chance. Some of the BNP supported media is already started campaigning that the government is exaggerating the presence of Islamic militants, condition is not that bad, massive publicity against terrorist is bad for the nation – pretty much similar to what they have done before.
At the same year on October 8, eight people were killed and 30 others injured in a bomb blast at Ahmedia Masjid in Khulna.
Within few years they have escalated their attacks. On January 20, 2001, seven people were killed in bomb blasts at a CPB rally at Paltan Maidan and nearby Awami League office at Bangabandhu Avenue. In 2001 Islamic militants explode bomb in Bengali New Year celebration killing 10 people, injuring at least 50 others.
Awami League at that time increased their effort to get these Islamic militants. But it was election year and main opposition party BNP utilized the opportunity, able to convinced people that Awami League´s action is against the Islam. To prove their devotion BNP made an election ally with some radical Islamic groups. Their gamble was paid off.
BNP formed the government in 2001 election. Their victory pushed back Awami League effort to fight against the terrorist, but soon after real story was started to disclose in front of the people. Country was experienced a series of bomb blast, in open public place, court, movie theater, public meeting –everywhere. But ruling BNP was greatly thankful for their election victory and highly reluctant to take any action against those fanatics. Rather they considered if they let these militants grow –they (BNP) will be the gainer at the end. Their election victory gave them extra confidence on their strategy. So, when media was giving disturbing coverage on militant´s activities –government was completely denied the matter and said it was opposition propaganda, made by media. In some cases, journalists were captured, arrested, tortured and even the evidence that journalists were collected were destroyed. They have done their best to prevent the media covering those militant stories.
At one stage militants became so daredevils that they made victory rally after killing people. The armed militant openly declared war against those who come to stop them. Media published photo of a man hanging upside down from a tree –were also not taken as a matter. Many of the Awami League workers were then made victim of these brutal killings. BNP government at that time was still strong on their so called "Propaganda" theory. In their mind they thought the destruction of Awami League would help BNP eventually. The lesser Awami League workers remain the greater the opportunity for BNP.
In the year 2004 a deadly grenade attack on Awami League meeting astounded the nation which killed at least 23 people, hundreds where injured. Many top Awami League leaders were killed instantly and in aftermath. Now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is still carrying the wound in her ear of that heartrending attack. It is widely believe, fanatic Islamic group and BNP were directly involved in that attack. Name of at least two former ministers are already found in connection of that attack. Perhaps this is the reason why BNP failed to solve this grenade attack mystery.
It was until 17th August 2005 when a nationwide bomb blast rocked the country. The government then realized it is time for the action. They were able to capture some top leaders of the militants. But it was too late then.
When government went into action, Islamic militants have already laid seeds in many places. Government was managed to cut down the top branches of the tree but could not stop them growing.
Now Awami League is once again in the government. The extremists are in deep urgency. This is their time to get some gain from the opposition once again. Opposition BNP is also not standing quiet. They are waiting for their chance. Some of the BNP supported media is already started campaigning that the government is exaggerating the presence of Islamic militants, condition is not that bad, massive publicity against terrorist is bad for the nation – pretty much similar to what they have done before.
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