[ALOCHONA] General Moeen purge 1/11 key players in power struggle to regain

General Moeen purge 1/11 key players in power struggle to regain supremacy A major power struggle occurred in the military quarters recently. A silent coup d'état is in progress in Bangladesh. Earlier the nation witnessed scores of failed and successful, both bloody and bloodless coup d'état or mutinies since 1975. Military power struggle brought General Ziaur Rahman and General H.M. Ershad in power and their remnants are still enjoying major slice in politics. In the current phase of power struggle, which occurs intermittently since Lieutenant General Moeen Uddin Ahmed was catapulted into helms of affairs of the state power was engineered by four Khalifas on January 11, 2007 – popularly known as 1/11. Who gained an upper hand in the latest power struggle? Has General Moeen been able to consolidate power and will he be able to govern the nation at the time when political freedom is void? These are the questions of the curious mind of enthusiast citizens, who are cut off from actual real news from Bangladesh when media is controlled by emergency rules. In the recent power struggle Principal Staff Officer (PSO) General Masud Uddin Chowdhury has become a casualty. He had to clear his desk for a second time in less than a week. Chief coordinator of the corruption-busting task forces, the general has now been transferred to the foreign ministry for possible appointment as an ambassador. In fact asked to leave the country. The second casualty is Military Secretary to the President (MSP) Mohammad Aminul Karim who has been transferred to the top military institution National Defence College in the outskirts of capital Dhaka. As a consolation he has been promoted to Lieutenant General. General Masud and General Karim are among the `Khalifas' who engineered the 1/11. However the fate of the other two `Khalifas' are yet to be known. If the other two are axed it could be concluded that General Moeen is heading for clear win in consolidating power and possibly implement his desire for restoration of democracy. The four Khalifas used the good offices of retired Major Sayeed Iskander, the blue-eyed brother of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia (also Defence Minister & Supreme Armed Forces Commander) who manipulated themselves in coveted military positions soon after 2001 October election. As Khaleda Zia returned to power in 2001, General Masud, then a brigadier general, was made head of the Counter-Intelligence Bureau at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). They pulled General Moeen U Ahmed of the 1st BMA (Bangladesh Military Academy) by super-seceding Major General Jamil D. Ahsan, Bir Pratik - the last serving Mukti Bahini officer to become the coveted military chief. General Jamil conceded and accepted diplomatic assignment to Libya in 2002. Major Iskander played a key role in recommending his course mate General Moeen. He also recommended to Prime Minister Office (PMO) to promote Masud, the last of the dreaded Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini to take command of the 9th Infantry Division. The reason for his recommendation was because Iskander's trusted comrade General Masud is the brother-in-law. General Masud incidentally is an engineer and has no experience in commanding infantry or armoured corps. The Dhaka Division plays a crucial role in key installations in the capital, including PMO, Banga Bhaban, airport, power, telephone exchange, radio and TV centres. According to the plan General Masud send his trusted officers under the command of General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (presently Quarter Master General) to Banga Bhaban to ask President Iajuddin Ahmed to read out the declaration of emergency, for which he was not formerly briefed. The MSP also played a significant role in stage-manage the president. The position of MSP is equally important. Specially when the country switches to Care-taker Government, when President becomes the Supreme Commander and guardian of the constitution. All armed forces matters rest upon the president. General Karim was planted way ahead of the expiration of the Khaleda Zia's tenure. Meanwhile the key positions in the army headquarters and formation commanders are gradually filled in by East Bengal Regiment (EBR) where General Moeen belongs. Chief of General Staff (CGS), Dhaka Division GOC, Chittagong GOC, military security agency and others crucial branches of the armed forces have seen new faces from the EBR. It is expected that more positions in the army headquarters will have faces from EBR. On the other hand, General Moeen has deliberately purged his course mates of first BMA from different positions. Former NDC chief General Zahir, recipient of `sword of honour' has been made ambassador. So was General Rokon his buddy. While former DGFI chief General Sadeque Hasan Rumi was transferred to head the Directorate of Ansar and Village Defence Party and his course mates interpret as an insult for him. General Moeen in making some giant steps demonstrated that he is the boss, which also caused speculations of his being ambitious. He has published "Selected Collection of General Moeen Ahmed" to ventilate his mind. He has floated "Jago Bangladesh" to cheer his effort to stamp corruption and criminalisation of politics. Vines of Jago Bangladesh informs that recruiting political elements in small towns, which may see the light of the day as a political party. Nevertheless, the Western countries do not want to see Bangladesh military become another Frankenstein as in Pakistan. In recent change of heart and mind of the military generals in Pakistan, Nepal and Thailand has given hopes that democracy will be restored in Bangladesh, if not very soon. http://www.e-bangladesh.org/2008/06/09/general-moeen-purge-111-key- players-in-power-struggle-to-regain-supremacy/

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