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Saturday, June 11, 2011

[ALOCHONA] Mangrove forest plundered with AL lawmaker's blessings



Mangrove forest plundered

2.5km road project in a Bhola char gets AL lawmaker's blessings; flouts HC order, environmental law


Trees felled by a band of locals, reportedly backed by a lawmaker, to construct a road inside a mangrove forest of Char Kumkumari, Bhola. The photo was taken Friday afternoon.


Within hours after a court judgement that clearly directed the authorities to abide by the forest and environment acts, groups of people have chopped down thousands of trees inside a mangrove forest and a designated wildlife sanctuary to build a road in the remote island of Char Kukrimukri.

The lawmaker of Bhola 4 (Charfashion) Abdullah Al Islam alias Jacob and his local supporters backed chopping down of the mangrove forest for building the 2.5-kilometres long road without any environmental clearance or permission from the forest department as required by the law of the land.

The destruction of the forest would also greatly contribute to habitat loss for thousands of wildlife species, which depend on the forest. According to Ronald Halder, a wildlife expert and author of the "A Photographic Guide to Birds of Bangladesh", said that Char Kukrimukri is home to a wide range of winter and local birds.

"The road would instantly cause habitat loss for the wildlife in the area," Halder said. In addition, hundreds of deer, otters, fowls live in the mangrove forest of Char Kukrimukri.

The forest department has vehemently objected to the project and suggested at least two alternatives for building the road, bypassing the forest area. The local Union Parishad planned to link two villages Babugonj and Patila, through the proposed road.

The hurried felling of the trees has also defied the law that says the sale of the trees must be completed after floating a tender in the media.

The 20,000-acre (about the size of 18,200 football fields) man-made mangrove forest is one of the prides of the forest department. Forest officials said that if the road is built, illegal logging and poaching would increase overnight. The wildlife would face severe threat and most importantly, the bio diversity of the area would be at stake.

The road would also jeopardise Bangladesh's commitment to the international community to fight global warming. The country's forest cover has alarmingly shrunk to less than 10 percent of land mass with only 0.02 hectares of per capita forest land, one of the lowest in the world.

In 2010, the High Court issued an injunction on the Char Kukrimukri road project after the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filed a writ petition. On Wednesday afternoon (June 8), just after the judgement was verbally passed by the High Court bench, some local people in Char Kukrimukri announced over the loudspeakers in the name of the local lawmaker that the road project would go ahead.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of BELA, said that the cutting of trees is a direct defiance to the High Court judgement.

"The judgement required compliance with the provisions of Environment conservation Act 1995 and the Forest Act 1912 while constructing the road," Rizwana said, "Such hurried implementation is clearly malafide and against public interest," she added.

At around noon on Frday, our correspondent found labourers working to construct the earthen road. Nearby, several hundred people with axes in hand were indiscriminately cutting down the tress.

Divisional Forest Officer in Bhola Sayed Ali told The Daily Star that the road would destroy the mangrove forest and make the area most vulnerable to natural disasters.

"We have officially sought help from the police and the magistracy but nothing has been done to stop the felling of the trees," Sayed said.

"Following Wednesday's announcement over loudspeaker in the area, we tried to file a General Diary (GD) with the Char Fashion police station but the police were dilly dallying with recording the GD," Sayed said. "Till today, they (police) have not given us the GD number." he added.

Hashem Mohajon, an aspiring chairman of the area, widely known as the local lawmaker's own man and also leading an influential group in the area said that enthusiastic local people started felling the trees and construction of the road.

"The process of floating the tender is now underway. I am not involved with the matter though," he said. As soon as he finished talking to this correspondent, Hasem Mohajon with his men, started cutting down the trees.

Nur-e-Alam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Char Fashion said that after he was informed a team visited the spot on June 9 and forbid the locals from cutting the trees without permission.

"But I could not do anything else, but the forest department can always prosecute those people who are involved in plundering its forest," He added.

Despite repeated attempts throughout yesterday Abdullah Al Islam alias Jacob, lawmaker for Bhola-4 (Charfashion) could not be reached for his comment.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=189626


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[ALOCHONA] Re: Fwd: Mahmudur for mass uprising to topple govt



Dear Haque Bhai

I think you are right. The system is bad and the nethri is bad. Put the two together and we have an awful, awful creature which I can only call the Nethri System. It turns able thinking men into vegetables.

AL and BNP are our two great parties - neither can wipe out the other. Tens of millions of our countrymen support either party. We may not agree with the other but disagreement should not come at such ludicrous cost to our national cohesion. Nowadays, I think it is safe to say that no party has more 'blind paid up supporters' than neutrals who can vote for AL or BNP. Our two parties must find a way of progressive coexistence.

This can never happen as long as these two Nethris lead the two parties. It was Hasina who saved Khaleda from exile in Saudi Arabia during the CTG. Because Hasina needs Khaleda and Khaleda needs Hasina. They don't want change - they are too old to change. You can bet neither nethri wants a public  debate with a new leader of AL or BNP - a new party leader who is independent, intelligent and visionary.

I think we must keep hope. I think we can keep hope. Everywhere I turn I see discontent. People are fed up and people are annoyed. The mystique and magic of the Nethri has rotted away outside the heartlands of the blind party supporter.  

We are in grave danger but there is hope. Keep faith. Our younger generation is brighter and more talented than any generation before it. Their time will come and with them, our nation's time will finally also come.

Our job is to hold on till then. And to help bring in that era by hurling stones of discontent at the political establishments of BNP and AL.

Ezajur Rahman

Kuwait

 

 

  

 

 

--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, "Mohd. Haque" <haquetm83@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Ezaj,
>  
> Are you talking about 'Netri' or their 'System'. Neta or Netri should be always their but it is the System or their system of running and maintaining their cronies, hopefully you are referring to this.
>  
> 'How dirty the politics looks you can not imagaine, what you see is the fraction, inside the party it is even more dirty'- I am quoting from one of the big shot of our current parties, who said this very recently in a private communication.
>  
> Since the Netris like psychophants they are only surrounded by them and the impact and its imprints flushed beyond this guraded circle, whole country is beseiged by the psychopathy in every sphare of our society, devoid of any conscience. And that is how our society has lost its creativity.
>
> --- On Mon, 6/6/11, ezajur Ezajur@... wrote:
>
>
> From: ezajur Ezajur@...
> Subject: [ALOCHONA] Re: Fwd: Mahmudur for mass uprising to topple govt
> To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, 6 June, 2011, 8:15 AM
>
>
>  
>
>
>
> I agree. Mahmudur Rahman is probabaly the brightest spark in BNP at the moment but he has no chance to shine. I don't agree with him on many things but if BNP is to have a meaningful future it needs to empower people like him. But BNP can't. Because?
>
> Yes. It's that bloody Nethri System again.
>
> Since 1/11 BNP has been imploding month after month. This was the golden opportunity to reform BNP - with many of the worst dogs behind bars on the back foot.
>
> Alas - it's the ususal suspects in 2011. Khaleda gives BNP Dhaka unit to Sadek Hoassan Khoka?!
>
> What in the world is she doing?!
>
> I understand the political realities of holding the line, biding time and being trapped by circumstance. But our country cannot keep being held hostage to the Nethri system. We need new risk takers, visionaries and reformists.
>
> If she had half a brain she would realise that if she took this opportunity to reform the party she would herald in a new reality for our country.
>
> But no. We get Sadek Hossain Khoka!
>
> Bloody Nethris!
>
>
> --- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, qar qrahman@ wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Mahmudur needs to think of something average people can relate rather than "Hot air"!!
> >
> > Educated Bangladeshis are aware of awarding Indians many privileges by current administration but Mahmudur should speak specifically about issues. Blaming India is easy but trying to formulate a workable strategy require some brain storming. Which BNP lacks and people are getting sick of same old politics with future of Bangladesh.
> >
> > If BNP wants to get elected they need to work on some new leadership with proper skills to bring the country where it needs to go.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Isha Khan bdmailer@
> > To: undisclosed-recipients:;
> > Sent: Sun, Jun 5, 2011 12:14 pm
> > Subject: [ALOCHONA] Fwd: Mahmudur for mass uprising to topple govt
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------- Forwarded message ----------
> >
> > From: Zoglul Husain zoglul@
> > Date: Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 5:16 AM
> > Subject: Mahmudur for mass uprising to topple govt
> > To: zoglul@
> >
> >
> >
> > Mahmudur Rahman: This India lackey govt has to be brought down through mass uprising.
> >
> > He said, this govt is conspiring to turn our country into a vassal state of India. But the 16 crore people would stand up in resistance. He urged the people to unite. He also said that the Awami govt between 1972 and 1975 turned the country into a subservient state of India, and they imposed BKSAL to snatch democracy and independence of the people. It is through the 7 November army-people uprising in 1975 that our independence and sovereignty were safeguarded.
> >
> > (Click to read Amar Desh report, Saturday 4 June 2011:
> > http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/06/04/85381
> >
>



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[ALOCHONA] Re: [KHABOR] We have not forgotten those Black BNP days

Very good. I like the one about Tareq - it should be circulated more widely and rammed into the brains of BNP.

We have not forgotten, nor shall we forget, the black days of AL either.

Last night on a tv discussion program (ATN I think) a commentator was asked what can the public do if AL and BNP continue to burn buses when in opposition. The commentator replied that the electorate has no choice but to burn the buses of politicians.

I liked it.

We can complain about our slow progress but at least popular commentary is no longer dominated comfortably by partisan thinkers. This is a wonderful development.

Better late than never!


--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, "Engr. Shafiq Bhuiyan" <srbanunz@...> wrote:
>
> We have not forgotten those *Black* BNP days
>
> On Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 9:32 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > *BNP days .......**
> > *
> >
> > JCD let loose terror on DU campus:
> >
> > http://thedailystar.net/2004/09/12/d4091201011.htm
> > http://thedailystar.net/2004/09/12/d4091201011p.htm
> >
> > [image: DailyStar_JCD_violence.bmp]
> >
> > Activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of the BNP, chase
> > and beat up Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) supporters including a women
> > student at Dhaka University yesterday (top); later, BCL workers torched a
> > bus in protest near the TSC on the campus (left); JCD activists also
> > ransacked the office room of DUTA President Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique. PHOTO:
> > STAR
> >
> > *Tareq Promoting Violence:*
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YepviTdfVFw
> >
> > [image: Tarek_violence.JPG] <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YepviTdfVFw>
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YepviTdfVFw
> >
> >
> > [image: PoliceAction2006.jpg]
> > Police action: 2006 Picture .......
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> "Sustha thakon, nirapade thakon ebong valo thakon"
>
> Shuvechhante,
>
> *Shafiqur Rahman Anu
> *
> *Senior Network Planner *
> *Haya Water
> *P.O.BOX 1047, P.C 133 Al Khuwair,
> Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
> Tel: +968-24643218
> GSM: +968 96391648, +968 920820548
> Fax: +968-24693418
> srbanunz@..., shafiqurrahman@...,
>
> N.B.: If any one is offended by content of this e-mail, please ignore &
> delete this e-mail. I also request you to inform me by an e- mail - to
> delete your name from my contact list.
>


------------------------------------

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Re: [ALOCHONA] 19 June Indian CAS will visit BD and take salute during BMA passing out parade



Corporal Sahib - what do you want us to believe. We await your direction......

-----Original Message-----
From: mimunshi
Sent: Jun 8, 2011 9:00 PM
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ALOCHONA] 19 June Indian CAS will visit BD and take salute during BMA passing out parade

 

As I indicated earlier the Indian CAS will be taking salute from the new graduates of the BMA course. Does this mean our army has become subservient to the Indian army or is this merely a symbolic gesture intended to humiliate us?

Regards

MBI Munshi

------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.amadershomoy1.com/content/2011/06/09/news0711.htm



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[ALOCHONA] Fantasy frontiers: Indian, Pakistani and Chinese border disputes



Fantasy frontiers: Indian, Pakistani and Chinese border disputes


Disputed borders are both a cause and a symptom of tensions between big neighbours in South Asia. When the colonial power, Britain, withdrew from India it left a dangerous legacy of carelessly or arbitrarily drawn borders. Tensions between India and China flare on occasion, especially along India's far north-eastern border, along the state of Arunachal Pradesh. In recent years Chinese officials have taken to calling part of the same area "South Tibet", to Indian fury, as that seems to imply a Chinese claim to the territory. A failure to agree the precise border, and then to demarcate it, ensures that future disagreements may flare again.

Pakistan, too, is beset by difficult borders. Afghanistan, to the north, has long been a hostile neighbour. This is largely because Afghanistan refuses to recognise the frontier—known as the Durand line—between the countries, drawn by the British.

Most contentious of all, however, are the borders in Kashmir, where Pakistan, India and China all have competing claims. By the time of independence, in 1947, it was clear that many Indian Muslims were determined to break off from Hindu-majority India. It fell to a British civil servant, who knew nothing of the region, to draw a line of partition between territory that would become Pakistan and India. Pakistan was given Muslim dominated areas in the far north west, plus territory in the east (which itself got independence as Bangladesh in 1971). The rulers of some disputed areas, notably Kashmir, were told to choose which country to join.

While Kashmir's Hindu rulers prevaricated, hoping somehow to become an independent country, Pakistan's leaders decided to force the issue. Since Kashmir was (and is) a Muslim majority territory, Pakistan felt justified in seeing Pushtun warlords charge in from the north-west of Pakistan, late in 1947, to seize control of Kashmir. In response India, apparently invited by Kashmir's rulers, deployed its national army and stopped the invaders taking Srinagar, Kashmir's capital, located in the Kashmir valley, the most coveted part of the territory. The resulting line of control, by and large, remains the de-facto international frontier within Kashmir and, in effect, is accepted by Paksitan and India. Huge numbers of Indian and Pakistani soldiers remain in Kashmir today as both countries profess to be the rightful authority for the rest of Kashmir.

Complicating matters, China has also extended its influence, and control, over portions of Kashmir, largely with the support of Pakistan, an ally.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/05/indian_pakistani_and_chinese_border_disputes



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[ALOCHONA] Two interesting articles



Two interesting articles

The first is an interesting but pessimistic view of America's imminent collapse. The second is a very interesting academic effort (though rather lengthy) by Shapiro and Chris Fair to understand the contours of the support to militancy by the Pakistani peoples. Statistical data is amongst the easiest thing to manipulate. Chris Fair reflects things as she sees them.

The latter is a lengthy read, but highly recommended. It challenges conclusions drawn through 'common wisdom' proving them erroneous.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2010/12/06/america_collapse_2025

http://www.princeton.edu/~jns/publications/Understanding%20Support%20for%20Islamist%20Militancy.pdf



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[ALOCHONA] Connecting the Indian Dots



Connecting the Indian Dots

by Obaid Chowdhury, USA
alaldulal@aol.com



General Moeen U Ahmed, the mastermind of the now infamous One-Eleven and the 2-year run emergency administration in Bangladesh from January 2007 to December 2008, went to India and came back riding on a pack of horses given to him as gift. Ominously, Bangladeshis have since been observing an increased Indian visibility in their soil.

Indian generals and dignitaries adored the visitors' gallery at the Independence Day Parades and other national functions.

India stage-managed an election on December 29, 2008 to ensure the victory of its protégé. (See the article below, the Hillaryleak: The Truth Behind the Twelve Twenty-Nine).

BDR faced the worst massacre of its history on February 25-26, 2009, when nearly 60 brilliant senior army officers and their family members were brutalized, followed by a systematic purging or partisan cleansing in the military. Reports of an Indian hand in the putsch are galore! The almost daily target shooting by Indian BSF at innocent Bangladeshis indicate India controls our borders.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to New Delhi in early 2010 and gleefully agreed virtually to an uncontrolled movement of Indian ships, barges and trucks within Bangladesh territory. She returned with a burden of $1 billion debt, only to be used to facilitate the Indian transshipment arrangements (Please see another article below on The Billion Dollar Bait).

Indian artists and cultural groups have since been visiting Bangladesh and returning with pockets full of corores. In this regard, please visit the following link of an article by Professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury:

http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/04/11/76380

Bangladesh celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Poet Rabindranath Tagore at state level in an unprecedented fanfare this year. Tagore was great but his communal mindset was no secret. He wrote 'Amar Sonar Bangla' in protest of the 'Bongo Bhongo' of 1905 that were to favor the Muslims of present-day Bangladesh. Again, he elevated George V to 'Bharat Bhagya Bhidata' while singing 'Jono Mono Gono' in praise of its (bongo bhongo) annulment in 1911. In the presence of Indian invitees at the Tagore Joyonti, Prime Minister Hasina proposed to set up another 'Shanti Niketan' in Dhaka. She and many other Tagore worshipers might not be aware that it was Tagore who chaired a 1912 meeting in Kolkata to opposed setting up of the Dhaka University.

In the name of Peace Treaty in the CHT, there are renewed troubles and regular Bengali killings there. Indian connivance is suspected.

The Hasina administration seem to be in agreement with India which is continuing its implementation of plans to control the waters of 52 rivers, pushing their lower riparian Bangladesh to serious consequences in environment, ecology and economy.

Reportedly, the security of Bangladesh Prime Minister is provided by India.

The Indian Chief of Army Staff is due to take salute at the graduating parade at the Bangladesh Military Academy on June 19, 2011.

Can we connect the dots and see what it makes?

And, we talk so much about desh prem, jonoganer shartho, mukti juddho, shwadhinata, shwadhinatar shopokkher shokti etc. etc.!!!

Obaid Chowdhury
USA
E Mail : alaldulal@aol.com

----------------------

Realted article Previously Posted :

The Truth Behind Twelve Twenty-Nine (12/29/2008)

The cat is out of the bag. The truth of 12/29---that is the December 29 (2008) Elections in Bangladesh---is now open to the public.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh in a tele-talk on January 15 that the 'Madam Prime Minister' should be mindful of the way she came to power. It was an Indian arrangement, supported by then Bush administration of the US. The transcripts of conversation were leaked in the US and found place in a few media outlets in Bangladesh. Some skeptics did doubt the authenticity of the talks; however, to my knowledge no official challenge came from Washington or Dhaka yet. Shafik Rehman of Jai Jai Din fame wrote a very interesting analogy to the reported conversation, which he termed as 'Hillaryleak', drawing a reference from the now famous Wikileak of cyber wizard Julian Assange. For ready reference to Rehman's explanation, please visit the following link:

http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2011/02/02/from-wikileaks-to-hillaryleak/

It is difficult to ignore the reasoning put forward by Rehman.

Apparently, US Ambassador in Dhaka James Moriarty informed his Home Office that the on going investigations and trial process of the War Crimes in Bangladesh were not following the correct procedures; it was geared more to serve partisan interests. US State Department sent Ambassador Stephen Rapp to Bangladesh to ascertain and report on the issue. He confirmed the reports of Ambassador Moriarty and addressed a press conference in Dhaka on January 13, 2011 to say that Bangladesh needed to revise and reform the War Crime Law in keeping with international norms. The unpleasant findings of the two US ambassadors prompted Clinton to make the call to Hasina.

Two things came clear from the Hillaryleak:

1. Sheikh Hasina's administration was following Indian advice, if not agenda, on the much-touted trial of the War Criminals of 1971.

2. The December 29, 2008 election was a deep-rooted conspiracy by India, with the support of the US, to ensure Awami League's victory. And, then army chief, the mastermind behind the almost-military takeover on 1/11, and the 'great patriot' General Moeen U Ahmad---who has now found a safe sanctuary in the US---was the front man in the conspiracy.

During the Moeen-sponsored emergency, many people voiced concerns that a conspiracy involving local and international elements was afoot to frustrate the democratic process in Bangladesh with a view to favoring a particular party and a vested group. The result of December 29, 2008 was something the Bangladeshis had never seen since Sheikh Mujib's partisan election in 1973. In fact, the chief of the Election Commission did brag on presenting a 1973-like elections in 2008. Few missed the joke that Moeen's 'computer-driven military efficiency' and the Election Commission's 'excellence per se' produced a 95-102% voter turnout! Consequently, Awami League led Mohajote bagged a dictatorial majority in the parliament. And, indeed, the party has since been running the show in a virtual autocratic manner that, according to many, surpassed that of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's own in 1972-75.

The result of the past two years' rule in the country confirms the fact that the conspiracy fear was not a mere cry of wolf. The country saw a BDR mutiny---most say a stage-managed one---resulting in the massacre and elimination of scores of brilliant senior army officers. Indian BSF has had a free hand in target shooting the Bangladeshis on a daily basis, not mentioning the 'Felani' brutality, which one cannot even complain. The arrests of many locals who tried to speak for Felani are a case in point. While Bangladesh is being cordoned from all sides by wire fencing, yet it has no crib in allowing Indian legal or illegal border trades. The current administration did not even blink for once to provide the country's ports for Indian use and roads for Indian traffic or transshipment. It swallowed one billion US Dollar bait from an Indian private bank on hard terms to facilitate Indian business and transshipment. Interestingly, all these facilities would be made by India with Indian materials, resources and experts but to be paid by the poor Bangladeshi taxpayers. Most of the 52 rivers of Bangladesh are drying out, because water is diverted upstream in India rendering the lower riparian areas virtually deserts with insurmountable economic, social, ecological and environmental consequences. Bangladesh has no voice to complain for all these, because its destiny does not seem to be in its own hands. The history of the country's liberation war has been re-written to give it a partisan stamp, thanks to an obliging judiciary. The RAW, the Indian intelligence agency, is openly operating in Bangladesh. It ensured that the military, police and other law enforcing agencies, bureaucracy, judiciary, education, business, and in fact all aspects of life, are filled with pro-Indian elements.

Is it not time Bangladeshis wake up and see what game the current administration of Bangladesh and its sponsors are playing? Question arises: who owns this country----Bagladeshis or Sheikh Hasina's oveseas sponsors? Can we call ourselves sovereign under the circumstances?

From the Hillaryleaks, one can assume that the Election of Twelve Twenty-Nine was a farce and conspiratorial. Therefore, the result of the elections was invalid and the follow up government illegal. As such, Bangladesh has been under an illegal administration since January 2009.

To clarify the matter, as well as to challenge the above assertion, the administration should immediately constitute an independent commission to find facts and make available to the public a White Paper on the Election on December 29, 2008. Let the people know the truth of Twelve Twenty-Nine. The people of Bangladesh should not pay for the greed and follies of others, if there was a conspiracy. The country needs to be saved before it is too late!

This may please be read in conjunction to an earlier demand for a White Paper on 1/11. For ready reference, please see below.

Obaid Chowdhury

NY, USA

February 4, 2011
----------------
A White Paper on 1/11

General Moin U Ahmed, the former army chief, said in his memoirs that the main reason for his 'patriotic' action on 1/11 was the UN warning that if army helped in the scheduled elections of January 22, 2007, Bangladesh's participation in the UN Peacekeeping activities would be hampered. Renata Lok Dessallien, the UN Resident Representative in Bangladesh recently came out with the truth that there was no such communication from the UN. So who is telling the truth? The people of Bangladesh deserve to know it.

The two-year emergency rule of the Moin instigated Care Taker Government (CTG) though brought an immediate halt to the Awami League led savagery that killed scores of people and damaged properties worth millions it left a deep scar in the nation's nascent democratic process as well as development activities.

In an interview with the Weekly Thikana of New York last year, General Moin bragged—or perhaps lamented---that nobody could have stopped him if he wanted to be the President on 1/11. In fact, it sounded more like 'It was my mistake; I should have run the show as the President of the country rather than from behind the scene.'

Within the first few months of the CTG, jails were filled with arrested 'criminals', including the two former lady prime ministers. After about a year, these very criminals turned into saints overnight and walked out of the jails. These very 'Dhoa Tulsi Patas' of politicians were voted to the Sangsad again, some to rule while others to oppose. The people of Bangladesh definitely need an explanation of this Tamasha by the CTG at a huge cost to the exchequer of a poor country.

We saw the real or make-belief pictures of many such leaders dying at every moment due to physical abuse, torture, third degree method, poisoning and sedation applied by the law enforcing and intelligence agencies during custody. Yet, the perpetrators of such terrible and inhuman crime are not made to answer today for their actions. But the people want to know the facts, not the fiction.

People of Bangladesh would also like to know how over 90% people voted on December 29, 2008. Such thing does not happen even in the most developed countries and in the most educated and affluent societies of the world having the most advanced voting facilities. Conscientious people have since been wondering 'for whom the bell tolled' on that day! They shudder to think today if they will one day find an independent and sovereign country called Bangladesh being eclipsed!

A White Paper we need for 1/11, the two-year Emergency Rule of the CTG and the road to December 29, 2008.

Obaid Chowdhury

New York, USA

April 23, 2010
-------------------

The Billion Dollar Bait Bangladesh Swallowed

Under an arrangement between the External Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh Government and Exim Bank of India, Bangladesh agreed to receive one billion US Dollars from India at 1.75% interest, with an additional 0.5% for the unutilized credit, repayable in 20 years.

An effusive Finance Minister AMA Muhit bragged that this was the largest bilateral loan Bangladesh ever received. He, however, did not mention that the terms of the loan were the toughest Bangladesh, a Least Developed Country under the UN development index, ever received. Bangladesh, in fact, falls within the sub-group of the Least LDCs, making it an LLDC and qualifying for mostly grants from developed nations. On large-scale loans, interest rate is usually kept around a low 0.25%; and in most cases, such loans are converted into grants subsequently. Never did Bangladesh receive a loan at such a high rate with so many strings attached.

Only after signing the documents, Bangladeshis could learn that fourteen projects costing $600 million had been agreed between the parties. Nothing is yet known of the remaining $400 million.

According to media sources, following are the 14 projects covered under the loan:

1. $71.7 million: Cost of six dredgers from India.

2. $36.2 million: Cost of construction of an internal container port at Ashuganj on Meghna, to be built by India.

3. $31.5 million: Cost of 10 broad gauge locomotive engine from India.

4. $53.6 million: Cost of 125 Broad Gauge passenger couches from India.

5. 5 & 6. $13.4 million: Cost of 117 railway wagons from India.

7. $120 million: Cost of two railway bridges at Bhirab and Titas to be built by India.

8. $30 million: Cost of 300 double-decker buses from India.

9. $6 million: Cost of 50 luxury buses from India.

10. $33.8 million: Cost of road construction and development of Sarail-Brahmanbaria-Sutlatanpur-Akhura-Sonardi, to be constructed mostly by India.

11. $31.4 million: Cost of two flyovers at rail crossings at Jurain and Malibagh, to be built by India.

12. $14.5 million: Cost of road construction between Ramgarh in Bangladesh and Sabroom in Indian state of Tripura, to be built by India.

13. $150.8 million: Cost of power gridline from Bahrampur in India to Bheramara in Bangladesh, to be built by India.

14. $8.92 million: Cost of research and development for Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute, the technology support to be provided by India.

As can be seen from the above listing, nearly a quarter billion is meant to purchase Indian goods such as dredgers, locomotives, buses and railway couches. To this, one must add the cost of consultation, expertise, technology, additional machineries etc to be hired from India during and after implementation of the projects. Apart from selling Indian goods, promoting Indian business and arranging jobs for Indian consultants in Bangladesh, the projects are designed to set up the "Connectivity" through Bangladesh---and at Bangladesh's cost---between mainland India and its far fetched and loosely connected Seven Sisters of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

This is the Third Phase in a series of fast moving steps India has been working on since 1/11 (2007), with a view to achieving its long awaited desire of politically—and perhaps militarily too---integrating Bangladesh with its northeastern region.

In fact, this desire of integration is as old as the departure of the British in 1947; and, the dream almost materialized in 1971 through Bangladesh's independence in which India invested so heavily. Unfortunately, for India, August 15, 1975 came as a stopper, and then President Ziaur Rahman's SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) concept almost jeopardized the plan. That speaks why India never allowed SAARC to take off. At the same time, coercive pressure on a defiant neighbor continued in the stoppage of waters downstream on common rivers, strangling it by wire fencing, illegally occupying South Talpatti island, denying free access to sea by claiming maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal, aiding the miscreants in the tribal areas, just to name a few. Additionally, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing, the intelligence agency of India) continued its overt and covert operations, thanks to its Bangladeshi agents. High profile national betrayers showed up soon and India grabbed the opportunity to force its scheme.

The First Phase of the rejuvenated plan started during the Caretaker administration of Moeen-Fakhruddin that installed India's favorite—some say, puppet--Awami League in the government in January 2009.

The Second Phase witnessed the weakening of Bangladesh's security forces, starting with the massacre of 57 brilliant army officers on February 25/26, 2009 at BDR Headquarters, followed by a systematic cleansing of the military of those elements that did not tow the Awami (or Indian) line. The process of such cleansing continued in the bureaucracy, police, judiciary, educational institutions and other fields. Reportedly, Bangladesh now has Indian commandos and security personnel, ostensibly to 'protect' its prime minister and her family members. It is also learnt that many of the country's thriving garment industries have passed hands to Indians or NRIs (Non-Resident Indians). Many of Bangladesh's private clinics have Indian nurses and technicians working there.

After the grounds have been prepared with the completion of the second phase, India threw in the Billion Dollar bait to Bangladesh. Its protégé, the Hasina administration, has but to swallow, for providing "Connectivity" to India. According to Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, "We are transforming Bangladesh as a regional hub and when the entire region (in effect Bangladesh and the India's Seven Sisters) will be brought under the connectivity, India will have access to its northeastern states, unfettered movement of people and goods will be taking place." One may ask Dr. Moni how she theorized that Bangladesh would become a regional hub by providing connectivity to Indian states alone (Nepal and Bhutan hardly count in this connectivity). During and after completion of these projects, there will surely be sailab (flood) of Indian goods, Indian machineries, Indian professionals and technicians, Indian workers and Indian businesspersons—and perhaps Indian security forces in open or in guise--everywhere in Bangladesh. Sooner, Bangladeshis may even be talking in Hindi, as do the Nepalese and Bhutanese!

Once the Connectivity is complete, the actual drama—the Fourth Phase--will come to play. It will see the never-ending stream of Indian traffic that will perhaps toss out at passing a few doles at the humbling baskets to make Bangladesh "rich overnight" as its current leadership promises to its dismayed people. The connectivity is not likely to confine to road traffic alone, it will surely infiltrate its activities in other spheres aimed at gradual integration of Bangladesh with India. The freedom fighters, as well as the Shaheed ones from heaven, will then keep asking in disgust and shame: Is it what we gave our blood for in 1971?

If the Awami government were to continue, the Fourth Phase leading to total absorption of Bangladesh within the Indian scheme would not be far away.

Is it not yet time for the Bangladeshis to wake up and demonstrate that they did not fight the Pakistanis in 1971 for nothing, and they can fight again for the sovereignty and integrity of their dear country and people, if need be?

A Obaid Chowdhury
NY, USA
Orginally Posted on August 12, 2010

http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=357322


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[ALOCHONA] India Using Rape As A Weapon of Occupation: George Galloway



India Using Rape As A Weapon of Occupation: George Galloway

Geneva, Switzerland. June 9, 2011. British parliamentarian George Galloway a veteran campaigner on Kashmir spoke to the seminar at the UN in Geneva, entitled, "Defending the Democratic Processes." The seminar was a parallel activity, organized by International Educational Development and co-sponsored by IIFSO, IHRAAM and WMC. The seminar presented the views of persons involved in some of the situations where the will of the people has prevailed, as well as persons involved in situations where the will of the people has been frustrated.

Galloway sketched the role of "Perfidious Albion" the British Empire in the creation of the Kashmiri suffering and compared it to the situation in Palestine, another British crime.

Except said Galloway the suffering of the Kashmiris was even greater. Eighty thousand had died in the more than twenty year freedom struggle, uncountable numbers had been wounded and maimed, mass imprisonment and exile and even the use of rape as a tool of occupation had been the lot of the Kashmiris said Galloway. And yet he said the only demand of the occupied people of Kashmir was for the right to vote. The same right the west claims to support in the Arab Spring, for the Libyans and the Syrians for example.

All Kashmiris want is what was promised to them by the UN he said. A simple plebiscite. Recalling the promise made by the great Indian Prime Minister Mr. Nehru to abide by this UN resolution, Galloway called on what he described as the great India to solve this issue by keeping Mr. Nehru's promise.

Galloway hailed Arundhati Roy who was visiting London whilst he was in Geneva and her powerful messages to India on the issue of Kashmir. Listen to one of your greatest daughters, he said. She is not a Kashmiri and she is not a Muslim. She is though a jewel in the crown of India. She too is crying out for justice for the people of occupied Kashmir. And she too is saying that Kashmir was never the part of India.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council Kashmir Center said that 2011 has proved to be one of the most dramatic periods in recent history, and it is only half finished. The citizens in a number of countries (Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen) have protested long-entrenched oppressive regimes and have toppled them to restore democracy and governance of the will of the people. Citizen participation and engagement has also increased in established democracies, as people demand fair labor standards, transparency, and basic rights. There are several current struggles against oppressive regimes that are still ongoing, with varying levels of international action.

Fai said that there are several situations where protest against long-standing occupation and oppression remains frustrated in spite of the rights inherent with the right to self-determination and the will of the people as the basis of political power. A major case of this is the situation in Kashmir, where the citizenry has protested peacefully against the occupying Indian forces to no avail, in spite of UN Security Council resolutions giving them the right to a plebiscite under UN auspices.

Dr. Fai warned that some nations have exploited the war against global terrorism to deny democratic processes and democratic values to its people.  The global campaign against terrorism should not have lead us into a war to defend the tyrant regimes and dictatorial governments. Yet, that is exactly what is happening.  Many countries are misusing their support to the United States in her war against global terrorism by persecuting human rights defenders, and by terrorizing human rights activists.  One such example is that of India in Occupied Kashmir.

Dr. Fai quoted President Obama who said in the Indian Parliament on November 10, 2010 that India should not shy away from taking a hard position on human rights violations in Myanmar . But unfortunately, President Obama did shy away from taking a hard position on human rights violations in Kashmir, despite the fact that the United States was the principle sponsor of the resolution 47 which was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on April 21, 1948. This resolution clearly states that the future of Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the wishes and the will of the people.

Fai highlighted the duplicity of the world powers by saying Dr. Fai reiterated that on one hand, the world powers denounced Iraq's occupation of Kuwait as it was against the norms and the principles of international relations.  But they are silent over the occupation of Kashmir by India which is a share violation of international norms and United Nations Security Council resolutions. If Iraq's occupation of Kuwait was not justified and did not stand, similarly the India's occupation of Kashmir is not justified and should not stand, Fai added.

Kashmir issue cannot  and must not be resolved militarily. It is a political issue and needs to be resolved only through peaceful political means.  So, the first step is that there has to be a cease-fire from all sides that must be followed by negotiations.  Negotiations cannot and should not be carried out at a time when parties are killing each other.   Kashmir must be demilitarized, on the one hand, and de-terrorized on the other, Fai said.

Dr. Karen Parker, IED delegate to the United Nations said that  The United Nations determined many years ago that the Kashmiri people have the right to self-determination and set up a plan for realizing this right and resolving what was then a political and military crisis between India and Pakistan over the disposition of Kashmir. However, this plan was not implemented and the Kashmiri right to self-determine is as yet unrealized. India and Pakistan have continued to fight over Kashmir -- a fight that has generated several wars and many military skirmishes between them. Kashmir situation continues to haunt the world, especially now that both India and Pakistan are declared nuclear powers. The Kashmiri people continue to suffer from serious human rights and humanitarian law violations in the course of India's military actions against them.

Parker said unfortunately, review of the current situation of the Kashmiri peoples' right to self-determination shows that it has been reduced to political rhetoric or is even absent from discussion. However, ignoring the right cannot annul it. Further, it should be patently obvious that the crisis in and over Kashmir will not be resolved without renewed acknowledgment and commitment of the world powers to realize the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Then and only then can a peace plan go forward that has potential to succeed.

"Restoration of the right to self-determination to its proper status in discussions and actions to resolve the crisis and achieve a final disposition of Kashmir will not be easy, but there is no alternative: without the Kashmiri people deciding for themselves as promised by the United Nations this crisis will continue ad infinitum. As a minimum, both India and Pakistan would have to allow the Kashmiri people to make their choice -- politically difficult for both India and Pakistan and perhaps for the Kashmiri people themselves. For this to occur at all, the international community must return to the original plan with firm resolve and active leadership. Discussions should focus on how to establish conditions for the plebiscite and then on actually organizing it. At all stages the Kashmiri people and their leadership should be involved.

Mr. Altaf Wani, Representative of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference said that the principles of democracy and self-determination are related on more than just a philosophical level. The practice of self-determination usually requires a democratic process to determine the choice of a people when exercising that right.

Wani emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were given the right ot self-determination by no less an authority than the United Nations Security Council. The denial of the right to self-determination has led to a regime of human rights violations, rape, torture, enforced disappearances and arbitary arrests are every day affair in Indian occupied Kashmir. And India has maintained the policy of repression and subjugation and intimidation.

"The conspiracy of silence over gross affronts to Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir itself violates still binding United Nations Security Council resolutions. The silence of world powers has emboldened India to a chilling campaign of human rights atrocities against innocent Kashmir's" Wani concluded.

Dr. Marjan Lucas, Global Affairs expert from Netherlands said, that "Well aware of India's stance on Kashmir, international diplomats and politicians hesitate to engage in direct talks with Kashmiri leadership and limit themselves to Pakistani or Indian politicians and diplomats, or at the most to the moderate Kashmiri acceptable by them. They fear that talking to the Kashmiri themselves means to risk very promising trade relations and close military cooperation with India (which stands for a gigantic economic market) and Pakistan (a crucial ally in the fight in Afghanistan)"

"To my opinion this is a serious mistake:   I think genuine civil society actors 'on the ground'  are crucial to be acknowledged in their role in triggering socio-political transition.  The Arab Spring shows how important it is that people in the streets feel a sense of ownership in  the revolutionary  process.  I fear that If now the International Community chooses to furthermore merely address and negotiate with the usual elite,  the promising  Spring will soon turn into a sad Autumn and the people in the streets who risked their lives and were the main victims of deadly violence, will turn their back to the process and seek their own road maps to an uncertain future" Lucas added.

Dr. Suaad Alfitouri, Libyab expert from Britain said over the last 42 years, Libyan people have been living under one of the most brutal and oppressive regimes in the world, headed by Colonal Gaddafi who came to power through a military coup.

She said that Gaddafi's rule over these decades was one of misery, sufferings and oppression of his own people, examples of which are too many to count. Self obsessed and intoxicated with power, he didn't hesitate from using fatal weapons and bombs against peaceful demonstrations. He bombed even houses and mosques killing thousands of people including children, women and elderly people.

Alfitouri pleaded to the world community that revolutionaries are in dire need of their support and help. These brave people of Libya are fighting courageously against the most tyrant regime of our time. Lack of support by the world is increasing their misery as more than 50,000 people have died so far and thousands are missing. People of Tripoli are under siege and have been made hostages while people of Zawia, Mistrata and Zintan are under direct attack. This situation demands immediate action by the world community as any delaying tactics could further harm our struggle and can strengthen Gaddaffi's forces.

She said Libyans do not support any negotiation with Gaddafi regime as they have committed crimes against humanity.

Ms. Khanien Latif of Iraq could not attend due to the delay in her flight. However, her statement which was read by Taimoor Alliassi read that over the 90 years of the Iraqi Government's rule, Kurdistan has always bee the center of conflicts and political - military struggle with the central government in Baghdad. The population of Kurdistan has been subjected to policies of genocide and mass destruction. There is no guarantee that mass murder and genocide will not be committed against Kurds again. Obviously, these events have had negative impact on the progress of the democratic transition in the region.

The statement of Ms. Latif furthers read that the women equality, freedom of expression, civil rights are only provided when people feel safe in a stable country. However, what is happening in Iraq goes against this will. Under pretext of fear, people have been deprived from many of their rights. The seminar concluded after a lively question and answer session.



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[ALOCHONA] Bangladesh leases African land - Clinton warns Africa of 'neo-colonialism'



Neo-Colonialism?

Bangladesh has leased tens of thousands of hectares of farmland in Africa as part of a government drive to improve food security in the poverty-stricken South Asian nation, an official said recently.

 

Two Bangladeshi companies have leased 40,000 hectares of land in Uganda and Tanzania and another firm will sign a deal for a further 10,000 hectares in Tanzania this week, foreign ministry director Farhadul Islam said.

 

"The government strongly supports companies leasing farmland in Africa. The aim is to bring most of the farms' output back to Bangladesh to ease food shortages," he said.

Bangladesh's 150 million citizens have been hit hard by sharp increases in the price of rice, the staple grain, which was up by an average 50 percent year-on-year in April, according to official figures.

Since Bangladesh identified overseas farming as a key way of improving food security late last year, local businessmen have also scoured Africa for suitable land to lease, Islam said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave a green signal to a proposal that Bangladesh leases land in some African countries and send farmers there to grow crops like rice and cotton for its consumption as well as export.


Why the reports of Bangladesh farming mega deals in Africa sound "neo-colonialism"

One of the most intensely discussed international economic phenomena in recent years is that of companies from across the globe coming to farm crops for their home markets in Africa.

Opinions about this trend span the ideological spectrum. Doubters and outright opponents seem to have the loudest voices, but this has not discouraged foreign investors who see Africa as the next big farming frontier, nor accommodative African governments hoping these deals will kick-start their moribund agricultural sectors and spur broader-based overall economic development.

The latest reported deal-of-the-month are plans by Bangladesh investors to lease land for a similar purpose in a number of African countries. Very little is known about the claimed Bangladesh farming deals, an opacity common to these arrangements and one of their most criticized aspects. What little has come out in news reports has almost all been from the Bangladeshi entities reportedly involved, with no word yet from the African partners. The question is, is it neo-colonialism?


The latest farming deals are all being reported from the Bangladeshi side, with an almost we-can't-believe-we-have-negotiated-such-good-deals breathlessness. There has been no word heard at all so far from the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, two of the countries named as willing, even eager to lease tens of thousands of hectares to Bangladeshi companies.

Under the plans, the Contract Farming System will enable Bangladeshi companies to get at least 60% of the produce. In return Bangladesh will train African farmers in rain-fed rice cultivation, seed conservation and irrigation.'' On the other hand, Bangladesh Government says (and also Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, owner of Nitol Group says) that, "under the deal, we can bring some 80 percent of our output back to the country after payment of some annual fees. We shall employ some 25,000 Bangladeshi workers — some 90 percent from Uganda," he said. But in Africa foreign leasing of large tracts of land can be a very sensitive topic.

 

My Remarks

 

Bangladesh is planning a new innovation (or should I say a new invasion to Africa) without any social-anthropological analysis. This plan is not sustainable; because sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. That means it should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, or - Environment, Local People, Future (ELF).

 

A new plan made only by politician in Bangladesh cannot be sustainable. Where are our Sociologists, Anthropologists, Socialreformers, and Philosophers? Society becomes an object of curiosity when people feel the need to make sense out of rapidly changing social realities. As long as the social order in which we live seems stable and unchanging, we tend to take it for granted and think little about it; it appears so natural and normal to us. But when we are confronted with sudden changes in our social environment, our lives transformed by forces that we do not understand. We are bound to ask questions such as: What causes such changes? Where will they lead us? Are they changes for the better or for the worse?

 

Clinton warns Africa of 'new colonialism'

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday warned Africa of a creeping "new colonialism" from foreign investors and governments interested only in extracting the continent's natural resources to enrich themselves and not the African people.

Clinton said that African leaders must ensure that foreign projects are sustainable and benefit all their citizens, not only elites. A day earlier, she cautioned that China's massive investments and business interests in Africa need to be closely watched so that the African people are not taken advantage of.

"It is easy, and we saw that during colonial times, it is easy to come in, take out natural resources, pay off leaders and leave," Clinton said. "And when you leave, you don't leave much behind for the people who are there. We don't want to see a new colonialism in Africa."

Clinton said the United States didn't want foreign governments and investors to fail in Africa, but they should also give back to the local communities.

"We want them to do well, but also we want them to do good," she said.

"We don't want them to undermine good governance, we don't want them to basically deal with just the top elites, and frankly too often pay for their concessions or their opportunities to invest."

-Monaz Haque, Berlin



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