Posts Tagged ‘Siege’

Bangladesh – The New Syria?

Posted: May 9, 2013 in Articles and Updates
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The exact number of dead in Bangladesh following the violent crackdown by the Bangladeshi government on the 5th of May protests, organised by Hefazot-e-Islam, is still unknown. Figures range from 27[1] to 2,500[2], whilst the number of wounded are likely to be in the many hundreds, if not thousands. According to Amnesty International the number of those who have been killed are at least 44[3], whilst an undercover recording[4] of a Bangladeshi police officer who took part in the attack has said that approximately 400 were killed. Diganta TV and Islam TV, the only two private Bangladeshi media channels which were broadcasting the protests live, and whose broadcasting could have helped provide a clearer picture of what took place and the number of dead, were raided[5] and shut-down[6] in the early hours of 6th May. This happened while the brutal attacks on protestors were taking place[7].

The protests organised by Hefazot-e-Islam (a largely apolitical madrasa-based[8] organisation from the Deobandi[9] tradition) was backed by an alliance of 18 political parties led by the main political opposition party, Bangladesh National Party (BNP).[10] The protests came as a response to the government’s failure to meet Hefazot-e-Islam’s ‘13-Point’ demand[11] that was announced by their leader, Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi.[12] Allama Shafi is one of Bangladesh’s leading and most senior Islamic scholars and the Principal of Bangladesh’s largest and oldest Islamic University[13].

The 13-Point demand was prompted by the Shahbag movement. This is a movement that began at the Shahbag Square in central Dhaka, where protestors gathered to demand the death penalty for alleged war criminals that were being tried at the controversial[14] war crimes tribunal. Parts of the movement however, evolved into an anti-Islam movement with some bloggers mocking Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)[15]. The 13 demands included the restoration of the phrase ‘Absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah’, which was taken out of the constitution during the reign of the present Awami League government[16]; the passing of anti-defamation laws to prevent the mocking of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and Islam; and the ending of massacres, indiscriminate firing, and attacks on scholars, students, and the general public.[17]

It was to hone in on these demands that Hefazot-e-Islam organised the ‘Long March’ in April 2013, which proved to be a largely peaceful[18] event involving over 200,000 Bangladeshis across the country.[19] Following this demonstration, Hefazot-e-Islam announced that if the government did not meet the 13-point demand, it would intensify its actions and organise a peaceful ‘siege of Dhaka’ on the 5th of May.

The government did not meet the demands which resulted in the ‘Siege of Dhaka’; this took place however, with permission from the authorities.[20] The ‘Siege of Dhaka’ protests were attended by approximately 500,000[21] Bangladeshis from across the country. After the protest had officially come to an end, a large group of approximately 70,000[22] protestors decided to stay the night at the place of protest (Shapla Square). In the early morning of the 6th of May, at approximately 2:30am, protestors were awoken by the sound of tanks, helicopters, and the presence of 10,000-strong[23] security force that included the paramilitary, police, and the Rapid Action Battalion. Alongside this, electricity was also cut-off from the entire area.[24] Following this, according to multiple reports, brutal attacks on the protestors took place, which included the firing of live ammunition and the usage of water-cannons.[25] Reports claim that the bodies of those that were killed were loaded into trucks and taken away by security forces.[26]Footages of the attack have appeared on the internet, including on some Bangladeshi news channels, which show the terror of that night. One such clip can be found here[27]:
The former president of Bangladesh, Hussain Mohammed Ershad, condemned the attacks saying:

“They held a rally at Shapla Chattar [Shapla Square] taking permission from the authorities. Their rally was peaceful and the responsibility of the incidents that took place outside the rally venue can’t be shifted to Hefajat-e-Islam…Attacks and firing on the Hefajat activists at night in the complete darkness of night are unprecedented.”[28]Despite the plethora of evidence and reports of the killings that have taken place at the Shapla Square, albeit with conflicting reports of the exact number of casualties, the ruling Party’s (Awami League) joint general secretary, Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, claimed that there had in fact been no killings at all.[29] Such a conclusion is highly unlikely given the increasing evidence of the killings that took place. Images of the dead from the immediate aftermath of the attacks can be found on many blogs, such as the following: http://chairmanbd.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/mass-killing-on-protesters-in-dhaka-at.html
In addition to such evidences and reports, independent organisations such as Amnesty International has also confirmed that killings did take place; the exact number of the dead is expected to rise as the full scale of the assault comes to light.As state brutality and violence continues to increase, the awareness of the dire situation in Bangladesh is beginning to reach countries and communities around the world. The General Secretary to the UN, Ban Ki-moon, expressed his concern and sadness [30] at the loss of lives and called for an end to the violence. In Egypt, Dr. Mahmoud Ghozlan, the spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, accused the Bangladeshi government of terrorism and fascism[31]. International human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) have also spoken out.Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia-Pacific Director has stated “There must urgently be an immediate independent and impartial investigation into the events, including the police use of force. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.” [32]

The AHRC assert that although they don’t agree with the demands of Hefazot-e-Islam, “Our concern, however, is for the right of everyone to participate in protests. At all times the sacredness of the right to life must be respected…The violence that is going on in Bangladesh must stop now. The international community has a moral as well as a legal obligation to intervene, which could save lives and could prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The United Nations must take all necessary actions, most importantly through the office of the Secretary General to bring an immediate end to the bloody impasse that has befallen upon the country.”[33]

In the UK, protests, lectures, and sermons highlighting the issues in Bangladesh have been on-going within recent months. However, much of this has been largely confined to the Bangladeshi Muslim community. The protests in the UK against the Bangladeshi state and police brutality have almost exclusively been made by those from the Bangladeshi community. We have not yet witnessed the protests being joined by other sections of the Muslim community in the UK, nor by the wider non-Muslim communities, in the scale that we often witness in relation to other atrocities around the world. This is perhaps due to the lack of awareness of the situation in Bangladesh.  This may also be due to the fact that the state brutalities in Bangladesh may not be seen as severe as it is in other parts of the world, such as Syria. Should we wait, however, until the situation becomes as extreme as Syria before realising the need to raise awareness and help bring some justice to the country?
This needs to change. We have a moral obligation to fight oppression and wrongdoing wherever we witness it and in whatever capacity we can, as per the Prophetic instruction “Whoever of you sees an evil must then change it with his hand; if he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his heart. And that is the lowest [level] of faith.”[34]Furthermore, we have an added religious obligation of fighting oppression that is meted onto our fellow brethren in faith. The Prophet (pbuh) said, ”The Muslim Ummah is like one body. If one part of the body feels pain, then the rest of the body goes into sleeplessness and fever.”[35]
There is, nonetheless, a gradual increase in the number of non-Bangladeshi Islamic scholars and institutes in the UK who are raising awareness of the issues in Bangladesh. We will, therefore, hopefully witness a greater awareness and concern amongst all the various ethnic Muslim communities in the UK.  The Muslim community must come together, as it often does on issues of social justice, to put pressure on the Bangladeshi government to stop its brutality and seek justice for all those that have been murdered by government forces.Below are some of ways that we may help the situation in Bangladesh:1. Apply pressure on the UK government to investigate what exactly took place at the Shapla Square attacks. As the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has said in their 7th May press release, the UK “Foreign & Commonwealth Office [needs] to investigate the matter as a priority and demand an explanation from the Bangladesh government, a member of the Commonwealth. UK licence-fee payers will also want to know why the BBC has not covered the issue with fairness in recent months and days.” [36]

2. Raise awareness of the issue amongst your family, friends, mosques, and social networks. Without this general raising of awareness, we cannot expect to see Muslims of all backgrounds coming together on this issue or joining together in protests. Raising awareness can take many forms such as online social networking, blogging, organising/joining protests, and organising events.3. Monitor the news and discussion programmes on UK-based Bangladeshi channels and if bias or false reporting takes place, complain to the channels in writing. If warranted, also file a formal complaint with OFCOM, the body that regulates the UK broadcast media and which has the power to fine and/or shut down channels if found to have breached their code of conduct.
4. It goes without saying that we must make dua (supplications) to Allah, who is the Source of all peace and security, to bestow peace and security in the land of Bangladesh.
With the tragic event that took place at Shapla Square, an event described by the Economist as a “massacre”[37], continued violence will undoubtedly follow as a result. It appears that Bangladesh may well be heading towards the situation we see in Syria. Let us therefore act now, and not wait for Bangladesh to become another Syria.
Notes:
Source http://www.islam21c.com

[34] Recorded in Saheeh Al Muslim
[35] Recorded in Saheeh Al Bukhari

A Massacre at Motijheel? An Interim Reflection

Posted: May 9, 2013 in Articles and Updates
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Photo from ChairmanBD Blogger

Throughout the day, Bangladeshis everywhere are whispering, or clamouring, about a massacre at Motijheel, the commercial district of Dhaka.  In the absence of a free, responsible  media and the denial of the right to gather (a Section 144 has been issued), established narratives struggle to make sense alongside social experience. In this article, we bear witness to these reports, especially as the Bangladeshi government has effectively enforced a curfew, shutting down any media other than those towing its party line.

There are unconfirmed reports of hundreds (dare we say thousands) dying at the hands of police and the infamous Rapid Action Battalion who fired live rounds into protesters, aided by a black out as a result of an enforced electricity cut. The violence took place after the Hefazat-e-Islam movement staged its massive demonstration numbering up to a million people. Unlike its previous march, which ended and was commended for ending peacefully, this event has been marred by violence.

It is difficult to say who drew ‘first blood’, but what is clear is that Hefazat-e-Islami activists were armed only with their ceremonial sticks (a popular appendage for all Bangladeshi protesters, including secular-friendly Shahbagis) while the police were armed and ready with lethal force. They were aided, it would seem, by Awami League counter protesters, who, in the full lightness of day, and behind police lines, brandished and used firearms.

As news of the massacre at Motijheel trickles through social processes of denial and perhaps exaggeration, we form a flexible interim image of what we can know now, and take stock of events. The traditional enumerators of the Bangladesh experience are either in jail, fearful, or are now co-opted by the state. The newly founded Dhaka Tribune live blogged spectacularly from well inside a government-approved echo chamber, recycling its own prejudices with pathetic effect. This has been taken up by the likes of the BBC, who have focused more on the ‘illiberal’ demands of the protesters, while glossing over the autocratic and murderous methods of Bangladeshi secularism’s so-called protectors. One would have thought the BBC would have learnt from being caught short during the Arab Spring.

The March

Photo from ChairmanBD Blogger

The 5th May March saw religious protesters flowing into Dhaka from all around the country for 13 points, which addressed matters of religious denigration and protections for all the faith communities of the country. It followed last month’s largely peaceful Long March which saw hundreds of thousands flock to Dhaka, which we covered in an earlier article.

This time around , the government appeared to have resolved to meet Hefazat with violence,  both during and after the main day’s protest.  There are blog and audio based accounts of the protest from witnesses, as well as of the fateful clampdown. In the absence of the conditions for traditional investigative reporting, we build a picture from what is available.

One informant, curious to see events for himself late last night, reported a war zone with the police firing and ruling party thugs being handed the wounded to beat. He reflected that what he saw resembled what he had heard about the Pakistan Army launching a crackdown on the Awami League 43 years ago. Perhaps Tiananmen Square, the Peterloo massacre and the Battle of Algiers may help us to understand the state violence inflicted on such a large scale, and of such a vicious nature.

The protesters congregated around the Water Lily monument  at the centre of the Motijheel district. They set up for the night, firm in the conviction that they would stay until their concerns with sufficiently addressed. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which has been on the sidelines of late with much of its leadership in detention, announced its support.

Into the darkness

At 0230 am the ‘security’ apparatus broke the night with its clearing operation, dispersing a sleeping crowd of hundreds of thousands with tear gas, gun fire and more primitive savagery.  It would appear that the police, the disgraced and rebranded Bangladesh Rifles and no shortage of armed Awami League thugs are primarily responsible for the killings that took place on Sunday and in the early hours of Monday. The extent of the media blackout is unprecedented in recent years. Opposition Diganta and Islamic TV channels were raided by the UK-trained Rapid Action Battalion. Mirroring the chilling accounts of the much remembered Operation Searchlight from the night of 25th March 1971 in which the Pakistan government lost much of its legitimacy, the government reportedly busied itself with carting away the evidence and the bodies.

As the morning drew to noon, the events of the night met recognition even from elements of the secular liberal establishment. The BBC was reporting only seven dead well into the morning, and mirrored the government line of extremists and non-lethal weaponry  Sources from nearer to the suffering have given death tolls of 431 (religious scholars) , 1700 (Basherkella) and 2500 (a leak from CID).

Does the scale of the operation suggest that the Bangladesh government must have got clearance from its international backers? As the situation becomes clearer, or more blurred, diplomats, newspaper editors and activists who provided the mood music and misframing of Hefazat must ask themselves searching questions about their own humanity. Local human rights NGOs who interpret the Bangladeshi situation to the world display selective humanitarianism by effectively ignoring the atrocity that took place last night.

Where to now?

As the government becomes increasingly desperate and deluded, it is lashing out at opposition with ever-increasing violence. That hundreds and thousands of political demonstrators were terrified, killed and maimed in this way marks a new low in the history of Bangladesh, and its predecessor states. It comes as this beleaguered government still deals with its criminal negligence over the Rana Plaza tragedy. Some whisper the trajectory that may inevitably follow, that the Awami League makes a compelling case for an army takeover, a situation that none of us would wish.

While the conventional media lacks courage at this instance, social media takes on a new, and problematic importance in Bangladesh’s struggle for justice and democracy.

International observers will no doubt be sold the Taliban line about the protesters, with added spice depending on audience. In some respects, the Awami League’s international legitimacy rests on the bogus claim that it is a bulwark against Islamism, just as Egypt’s recent autocrat did all those years ago.  Wiser heads should realise that much of the country sympathises with Hefazat’s stand on the vitality of religion, and are disgusted by the current regimes behaviour.

Source

Photos from ChairmanBD Blogger

Blame Game Falls Short to Justify a Genocide in Bangladesh

Posted: May 9, 2013 in Articles and Updates
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Bangladesh Government thugs Vandalising cars but shifted blame to Hefajot

545911_446367642117872_1607333857_nImage: These are the people belongs to Hefajot e Islam wearing traditional subcontinent Madrasa(seminaries) dress

On May 5, 2013 a non political religious group called “Hefajot e Islam” organised a peaceful protest to siege Dhaka. They demanded their 13 points demand have to met. Everybody believed they will organise the protest peacefully because just a month earlier on April 6, 13 they had organised similar long march in Dhaka peacefully. The starting was peaceful from their side but the political development of Bangladesh since April 6 made serious concern among government circle.

That’s why the same ministers admired Hefajot for their peaceful rally on April 6, started branding and labelling Hefajot as extremist, fundamentalist organisation. Not only that government machinery, Ruling awami league leaders tirelessly campaigned throughout the month against Hefajot even though their peaceful activities. Thanks to pro-government Media (almost all opposition media outlets few in numbers shut already) who given their full allegiance to establish government voices against Hefajot.

But, ordinary people of Bangladesh neither trust nor can rely on media like Prothom alo, Daily star, BDnews24 and private TV channels. Despite the government propaganda in May 5 Dhaka siege protest, we have seen people participated overwhelmingly (perhaps more than April 6). Even School children attended the protest. That’s surprise government. Seeing the failure of propaganda Government took different approach to marginalise Hefajot and to label them differently.

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May 5 morning near Motijhel (where Hefajot made their stage) area called Paltan went under attack. It is reported that many shops are vandalised, set fire of offices, businesses, looted, many cars are destroyed. While whole country’s (perhaps world) attention was at Motijhil Pro-government media put their lenses and Video camera covering story of Paltan vandalism. Almost all media constantly updated the same news from there. All blame went to Hefajot. Why Hefajot would do it ? Didn’t they know if they take part this rampage they will be caught up by media and Police? The you tube video above has the answer.

Government employed thugs to vandalise, set fire on shops and properties and by the blessing of Media blame shifted to Hefajot! It’s not new in Bangladesh. But government and media propaganda couldn’t prove that vandalism carried by Hefajot. In this video you can see those who setting fire on, look at who they are, how they look like, what they wearing…….It’s a Raw Video captured by an eye witness from a tall building by Mobile phone, no Media will not show this but if people goes against government, they become media.

Government also blaming Hefajot for burning Quran! Even an insane don’t believe that as These Hefajot people sacrifice their life for Quran and Sunnah(saying of prophet). Even any sane person can realise the meaning of Hefaot e Islam (means; protection of Islam). This act also carried out by Government thugs to shift blame.

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Awami league have a history of buring Quran and religious books. So, it’s not new for them.

Now, for your peace of mind I am showing why you have to believe the above video is the video of government thugs. Look at the first image where it shows how traditional Hefajot activists dressed, their appearance. Now see some of the following images too;

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Image: Police attacked hefajot activist, they running. See how most of them dressed.

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Image: Government thugs beating to death a Hefajot activist with his traditional dress.

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Image: Govt thugs jointly with police attacked hefajot activist, look at their dress.

Now you can realise who are actually on the video setting fire on cars and vandalising them.

Finally, Blaming game can’t hide the Genocide Bangladesh government committed. Nothing can be justified killing more than 3000 innocent civilian on dark night of May 6 mornings. I am finishing this article with the story of an eye witness account.

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942084_452047008210733_1580848102_nAshraf Mahmud, A hefajot activist who was there when Massacre took place says;

I, myself witnessed, when police and BGB brush fired, 14/15 people fall down getting shot in front of my eyes. As I saw them get shot, instead of running towards the main street, hide myself behind some cars in the parking area of the building beside. By Allah’s mercy I am alive.

That night those did not seek shelter but run scattered way, most of them got shot. Those who are stubborn about the reality of the massacre, to them, if you cannot express you condolence for so many deaths, at least stop humiliating the humanity by rejecting the deaths like this (Source; His facebook status)

Source

হেফাজত নেতা-কর্মীদের সরাতে সরকারি পদক্ষেপ বিশ্বকে হতবাক করেছে-দি ইকোনমিস্ট

Posted: May 9, 2013 in Articles and Updates
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If you cannot understand Bangla, there are English articles and media posted elsewhere on this blog.
বিশেষ সংবাদদাতা : হেফাজতে ইসলামের নেতা-কর্মীদের শাপলা চত্বর থেকে সরিয়ে দিতে সরকারি পদক্ষেপ গোটা বিশ্বকে হতবাক করেছে। এ ব্যাপারে বিশ্বখ্যাত সাপ্তাহিক ‘দি ইকোনমিস্ট’ মন্তব্য করেছে আরেকটি গণহত্যা। যদিও দেশের অধিকাংশ প্রচার মাধ্যম বিষয়টি ব্ল্যাকআউট করার চেষ্টা করছে। গত রোববার মধ্যরাতে শাপলা চত্বরে কি ঘটেছিল তা প্রকাশে দেশের প্রচার মাধ্যমগুলো প্রকৃত ঘটনা প্রকাশ না করলেও বিদেশি প্রচার থেমে নেই। বিশেষ করে দাতাদেশ ও সংস্থাগুলো দূর থেকে গভীরভাবে পর্যবেক্ষণ করছে। ইতিমধ্যে জাতিসংঘের মহাসচিব এবং মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের দপ্তর পৃথক পৃথকভাবে বিবৃতি দিয়েছে। বিশেষ করে মধ্যপ্রাচ্যের প্রতিটি দেশের প্রচার মাধ্যমে রোববার মধ্যরাতের হত্যাযজ্ঞের বিবরণ ব্যাপকভাবে প্রচারিত হয়েছে।
মধ্যপ্রাচ্যের একটি প্রভাবশালী দেশ এবং এশিয়ার একটি শক্তিশালী দেশের স্থানীয় কূটনীতিক জানান, গত রোববার শাপলা চত্বরে যে মর্মান্তিক ঘটনা ঘটেছে তা তাদের মর্মাহত করেছে। এ ব্যাপারে তারা আরো জানিয়েছেন, বিষয়টি তারা গভীরভাবে পর্যবেক্ষণ করছে। তারা তাদের মত করে প্রকৃত ঘটনা জানার চেষ্টা করছে। বিশেষ করে মধ্যপ্রচ্যের দেশটির কূটনীতিক জানান, তাদের পর্যবেক্ষণে যদি প্রমাণিত হয় ওই রাতে সরকারি বাহিনীর হাতে ব্যাপক সংখ্যক ধর্মপ্রাণ মুসলিম মারা গিয়েছে, তাহলে তারা খুবই মর্মাহত হবে।
পশ্চিমাদেশের কূটনীতিকরা জানিয়েছেন, এই মুহূর্তে তারা কোন মন্তব্য করবেনা। তারা তাদের মত করে বিষয়টি দেখার চেষ্টা করছে। প্রকৃত ঘটনা জানার পরই তারা মন্তব্য জানাবেন। তবে সকল ইস্যু আলোচনার মাধ্যমেই সমাধান হবে এটা তারা আশা করেন। হত্যার মধ্য দিয়ে কোন সমস্যার সমাধান হয় না বলে তারা মনে করেন। বরঞ্চ এরফলে দেশকে আরো সংঘাতের দিকে ঠেলে দেয়। বাংলাদেশ সংঘাতের ধাবিত হউক এটা তাদের কাম্য নয়।
বান কি মুনের বিশেষ দূত এবং জাতিসংঘের বিশেষ সহকারী সেক্রেটারি জেনারেল অষ্কার ফার্নন্দেজ আগামিকাল শুক্রবার ঢাকায় আসছেন। তিনি সাম্প্রতিক বিষয় নিয়ে সরকার এবং বিরোধী দলের সাথে আলোচনা করবেন। কিন্তু এই সময় এরকম একটি মর্মান্তিক ঘটনা ঘটে যাওয়াতে আলোচনা ভিন্ন মাত্রা পেতে পারে। যা সরকারকে বিব্রত অবস্থায় ফেলতে পারে বলে কূটনৈতিক বিশ্লেষকরা মনে করছেন।
ইসলামপন্থীদের ওপর গণহত্যা প্রকাশ হয়ে পড়েছে ইকোনমিস্ট
ইনকিলাব ডেস্ক : বাংলাদেশে ‘ইসলামপন্থীদের ওপর গণহত্যার
(ম্যাসাকার) বিষয়টি প্রকাশ হয়ে পড়েছে’ বলে মন্তব্য করেছে ব্রিটেনের ইকোনমিস্ট পত্রিকা। পত্রিকাটির অনলাইন সংস্করণে মঙ্গলবার বলা হয়, বাংলাদেশের সবচেয়ে বড় শিল্প বিপর্যয়ে সেনারা যখন মৃতদেহের হিসাব করছেন তখন ৬ মে প্রথম প্রহরে ইসলামপন্থীদের ওপর গণহত্যার (ম্যাসাকার) বিষয়টি প্রকাশ হয়ে পড়েছে। বাংলাদেশের রাজধানী ঢাকার বাণিজ্যিক এলাকায় (মতিঝিলে) এ ঘটনা ঘটেছে।
অনলাইন দ্য ইকোনমিস্ট ‘বাংলাদেশ : ভায়োলেন্স অন দ্য স্ট্রিটস’ শীর্ষক এক প্রতিবেদনে রোববার গভীর রাতে সরকারি বাহিনীর নৃশংস অভিযানে হেফাজতে ইসলামের বহু নেতাকর্মীকে হত্যার ঘটনা প্রসঙ্গে বলেছে, এ হত্যাযজ্ঞে নিহতের সংখ্যা বিভিন্ন গণমাধ্যমে প্রকাশিত সংখ্যার চেয়ে প্রকৃত সংখ্যা আরও অনেক বেশি হতে পারে।
ইকোনমিস্ট বাংলা সংবাদপত্র ‘প্রথম আলো’র উদ্ধৃতি দিয়ে বলেছে, দু’দিনব্যাপী হেফাজতের সাথে সংঘর্ষে বিভিন্ন স্থানে কমপক্ষে ৪৯ জন নিহত হয়। তাদের বেশির ভাগই নিহত হয় রাজধানীতে। ঢাকার বাইরে নিরাপত্তা রক্ষাকারীরাও নিহত হয়। কিন্তু ঢাকায় যারা নিহত হয়েছে তাদের বেশির ভাগই লক্ষাধিক প্রতিবাদীর মধ্য থেকেই।
শাপলা চত্বরের গণহত্যার বর্ণনা দিয়ে ইকোনমিস্ট লিখেছে, ৬ মে আসলে কি ঘটেছিল তার বিস্তারিত এখনও অস্পষ্ট। সহিংসতার গ্রাফিক ছবি ও ভিডিও ফুটেজে দেখা যায়, ঢাকার বাণিজ্যিক এলাকা মতিঝিলের রাস্তায় রাস্তায় পড়ে আছে রক্তাক্ত মৃতদেহ। এ ঘটনা সরাসরি সম্প্রচার করছিল দুটি ইসলামপন্থী টেলিভিশন চ্যানেল। সরকার চ্যানেল দুটি বন্ধ করে দিয়েছে। এখন শহরে চারজনের বেশি জনসমাগমকে নিষিদ্ধ করা হয়েছে।
ভয়াবহ সংঘাত অন্য স্থানেও হয়েছে। এর মধ্যে রয়েছে রাজধানীর দক্ষিণে নারায়ণগঞ্জ, দক্ষিণে বন্দর নগরী চট্টগ্রামের কাছে হাটহাজারীতে ও দক্ষিণ-পশ্চিমের বাগেরহাটে। এতে ২০ জন নিহত হয়েছেন বলে বলা হচ্ছে। আরেকটি নৃশংস হত্যার দু’মাসের মাথায় এ হত্যাকা- ঘটল। ১৯৭১ সালের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধের সময় হত্যা, অপহরণ, ধর্ষণ, নির্যাতন ও পীড়নের অভিযোগে বাংলাদেশের সবচেয়ে বড় ইসলামী দলের এক নেতাকে অভিযুক্ত করে যুদ্ধাপরাধ আদালত। এর পরেই সহিংস সংঘাতে কমপক্ষে ৬৭ জন প্রাণ হারায়।
ক্ষমতাসীন আওয়ামী লীগ এখন নিরাপত্তা রক্ষীদের অ্যাকশনকে যৌক্তিকতা দেয়ার চেষ্টা করছে। সম্ভবত তারা ভাবছেন যে, এ রকম হত্যাকা-ের ফলে ইসলামী অধিকারের দাবি তীব্র হতে পারে। তথ্যমন্ত্রী হাসানুল হক ইনু ৬ মে বলেছেন, হেফাজতে ইসলাম সরকারের পতন ঘটাতে ঢাকা এসেছিল।
প্রতিবেদনে আশঙ্কা প্রকাশ করে বলা হয়, এভাবেই সামনের মাসগুলো ক্রমেই সংঘাতময় হয়ে উঠছে। যুদ্ধাপরাধ আদালত ১০ জন অপরাধীর বিরুদ্ধে রায় দেবে বলে কথা রয়েছে। কয়েকটি আপিলের রায় দেবেন। এ বছরের মধ্যে ফাঁসি কার্যকর করার বিষয়টি তত্ত্বাবধান করছেন তারা। বিএনপির ‘বুধ’ ও ‘বৃহস্পতিবারের’ হরতালসহ নিয়মিত হরতালের কথা উল্লেখ করে ইকোনমিস্ট আরো লিখেছে, এ বছর থেকে হরতালের কারণে এরই মধ্যে ৩০টি কর্মদিবস হারিয়ে গেছে। এমন দিনগুলোতে আরও রক্তপাতের আশঙ্কা রয়েছে। প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার কাছের লোকজন বলছেন, আরও সহিংসতা এড়ানোর জন্য তিনি যুদ্ধাপরাধ আদালতের রায়ের একটি বা দুটি রায় কার্যকর করার পথ বেছে নিতে পারেন। ১৯৯১ সালের পর ষষ্ঠবারের মতো আগামী নির্বাচনে শেখ হাসিনার বিরুদ্ধে বেগম জিয়া লড়াই করবেন। এ নিয়ে পূর্বাভাস হলো অন্ধকারাচ্ছন্ন। উত্তেজনা, রাজপথে সহিংসতা ও তীব্র অস্থিতিশীলতা- এসবই সেই সংকেত দিচ্ছে। সামনের একটি বছর নিয়ে আসবে কঠিন সময়। সূত্র : আইআরআইবি।

Aftermath of the Massacre in Dhaka

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Pictures and Videos
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Bangladesh Under Siege: Yasmin Khatun

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Articles and Updates
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With the Twitter conversation taking shape on Saturday, reports of clashes made their way early in the hours of Sunday morning. Following the prime minister’s calls for a meeting with the opposition on Thursday night, the sheer scale of what was to come was laid bare. The world set its eyes upon Bangladesh a few weeks ago, looking at the Savar tragedy and pondering as to what role each individual player was playing – the consumer, the international multi-million dollar customer, the lawyers, businessmen and the politicians. The collapse highlighted the plight of a country dealing with so many issues, but this specific issue a concern to the international community because we’re faced with clothing tags with ‘Bangladesh’ painted across them and our shops overhauled these garments.

It may not be as fashionable or Stoke Newingtonite friendly as our mission to rid ourselves of t- shirts the price of sandwiches, but on Sunday hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis took to the streets of their capital a number dwarfing the May Day workers protest of 2,500 and confronting the weight of the nation’s turmoil.

The sizeable gathering of made up of mostly Hefazut e Islami followers, the group out on the streets of the capital for the second time in as many months. Army officers met the protestor’s, their aim? to have the city on lockdown and disperse the half million strong group. Hefazut e Islami has massive support in Bangladesh and have shown their clout in the sheer numbers joining their march.

In what became the largest protest the country has seen in years, the traditionally non-political religious group Hefazut came out with larger numbers then in April with a determination not to back down. A religious group holding high regards in the country a month ago the group marched through the streets of Dhaka, putting forward a 13-point charter of demands including the ‘enactment of anti-blasphemy laws’. The group’s demands were deemed extreme and quickly dismissed by the government. In a statement at the time the government said current laws were adequate enough to deal with the issues at hand and that there would be no change to the law. A month later, border guards were prepared by Saturday night and by mid-afternoon clashes begun.

Hefazut are a substantial force in a country where politicians can be trusted as far as they can be thrown. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinah and her main rival Khaleda Zia have both been in prison and Bangladesh Jamaat e Islam are plagued by their past. Hefazut may not be a political party but they certainly do have a substantial enough following to make change and the political elite are fully aware of this.

By nightfall in Dhaka, reports from the ground claimed electricity had been cut, 15,000 army officers called in and opposition TV stations raided. Social media became an isolated form of communication and bloggers and activists began comparing the evening to the dark night of 1971, when Bangladesh fought for its independence and so many lives were lost. Dhaka is now under effective curfew and the government has banned gatherings in the city. The extent of the injuries and death is difficult to be ascertain, national reports put figures of the lives lost in their 20’s but personal accounts share a very different story, numbers which are far higher and reaching well over 2,000. The Asian Human rights commission said that numerous victims had been shot at close range and Amnesty international has called for an independent investigation.

On Sunday, I attended a rally of nearly a thousand people in front of the Bangladeshi embassy in London, whilst there, within hours the reports of the death toll in Bangladesh reached at least 30 and those injured in their hundreds. By late afternoon the opposition who have an 18 party alliance, pledged their support for those protesting and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia called upon the Bangladesh Nationalist party to come out in support. Although Hefazut have had the silent support of the alliance there has previously been hesitation to out rightly make a statement.

As the week proceeds the baggage of the dark night in Dhaka must be made to come to surface. The government can no longer continue its charade of growth and development built on the back of corruption and the silencing of its opposition. The relentless shooting of protestors, interference in the courts and the blind eye to corrupt dealings in industry, the government of Bangladesh should not be allowed to isolate itself and must be held to account for its actions. The Savar tragedy added to a tumultuous year for Bangladesh, but the buck doesn’t stop with Sohail Rana or Primark. A massacre is what the reports from the ground claim and the fight for authority continues. There are deep rooted problems the nation is facing and its bloody roots add a complex layer to the multi-faceted issues at play. The Awami league may not wish to recognise the problems they are facing but an election is looming and the nation of Bangladesh is wide awake and ready to rebuke.

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Eyewitness Statement of Police Attack in Dhaka (English Subtitles) 06.05.13

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Pictures and Videos
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He says he heard 25, 000 have been killed and this is not impossible because so many bodies were taken away in garbage trucks.

Mass Killing of Muslims in Dhaka

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Pictures and Videos
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Diganta TV Shows the Truth Before Getting Shut Down

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Pictures and Videos
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Bangladesh police on Monday raided and closed down a pro-opposition television channel after it aired footage of clashes between Islamists and security forces in central Dhaka, the station said.

“About 25 plain-clothed policemen and an official of the BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission) entered our office and switched us off the air,” Diganta Television’s chief reporter M Kamruzzaman told AFP.

“They sealed off our master control room, our production control room and our engineer’s room. They told us we can’t go on air until further notice,” he added.

The station, which is owned by a leader of Bangladesh’s main Islamic party who has been charged with war crimes, was shut down around an hour after police broke up a huge protest by Islamists in a pre-dawn operation.

There was no immediate comment from the police or the BTRC despite repeated attempts to reach them by phone.

The shutdown comes a month after a popular pro-opposition newspaper was closed down and its editor arrested for sedition and inciting religious tension. Police also sealed off the daily’s printing presses. – Sapa-AFP

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6th May Carnage of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Rally by State Security: Salman Al-Azami

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Articles and Updates
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I am just astounded by what happened last night and how the government implemented a master plan supported by the appallingly unethical media in Bangladesh. I do not condone any act of vandalism and if any member of Hefazot committed such crime they should be brought to justice. However, the portrayal of Hefazot conducting the heinous arson attacks on hundreds of shops is beggars belief. I too was perplexed at how this could happen. Then someone on Facebook gave a logical explanation and it all became clear. It is the old trick of turning the victims into perpetrators. They did the same with the attack on minorities after the Sayeedi verdict. I just need some explanation. I need to see video footage of Hefazot people attacking the shops. Where were all those media cameramen who are eager to find how criminal the Hefazot people are? Did anyone try to find out where the incidents happened? Can anyone confirm whether Hefazot people were in the Southern gate of Baitul Mokarram? Those shops were literally a few hundred yards away from Awami League office. Therefore, it is clear who may have done this. Can anyone believe that the Hefazot people, who are giving their lives for Islam, could burn the Quran?

This is a wonderful attempt to take people’s minds away from the massacre that happened deep at night when thousands of BGB, RAB and Police forces fired indiscriminately to kill many people and then took away many dead bodies and destroyed them. Not a single media outlet is questioning this attack. No one is asking why the electricity was disconnected before the attacks. No one is alarmed why Diganta TV and Islamic TV, the only two channels that had any sympathy for Hefazot people were forcefully closed without any legal reason.

Now the whole world will know that a few Hefazot ‘miscreants’ were killed by the ‘fantastic’ role the forces played to ‘save’ the public. The poor Madrassah students, who have little value in the country, will not even have their deaths acknowledged. The sympathy will only be for those whose shops have been destroyed (of course we have sympathy for them), but the deaths of scores of people will remain unreported and so will be deleted from history. Bravo Sheikh Hasina, what a game you have played!

What will happen to my beloved country only Allah knows. Oppressors have everything, power, media, money. We have nothing but Allah, and can do nothing but wait for His help. Inshallah truth will prevail.

I am writing this comfortably sitting on my sofa in my living room when my fellow Muslim brothers in my own country are being persecuted, killed, tortured and slandered. I can only pray for them. O Allah, please send your help soon.

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