Banner Advertiser

Thursday, June 16, 2011

[ALOCHONA] pakistani intelligence



http://www.weeklyholiday.net/front.html#04




Pak CIA agents helped track, kill OsamaFazle Rashid in New York
Pakistan's top military intelligence agency ISI have arrested five Pakistani informants of CIA who helped the US sleuth agency to keep track of Osama bin-Laden that finally led to his killing. 


So the credit showered on CIA for the killing of Osama was premature. 


Now it has been revealed that CIA could not have tracked down Osama without the assistance of its Pakistani informants...............



__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] The Statement of William Nicholas Gomes on his abduction and interrogation in Bangladesh



The Statement of William Nicholas Gomes on his abduction and interrogation in Bangladesh

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, in the morning, I went out for some work. When I was returning to my house from the highway near the Sayedabad Bus Terminal a man, who appeared to be taller than me with a height of 5 feet 7 inches, stopped me and said, "Please come near to the car", showing a car waiting on the road facing toward to Bashabo direction. Then, I looked at the car, which was indicated by the person. It was black Mitsubishi Pajero jeep with tinted windows.

I accompanied the person with the very intention of helping and the principle of showing the path to a person who might have lost his way and needed my assistance.

As I walked beside the black car I found the door was opened just next to me and from my back the man, who called me to come to the car, pushed me inside the car and from inside another man forcibly pulled me inside. These two persons, who pushed me from outside and pulled me into the vehicle, sat on my left and right hand side on the seat in the middle of the vehicle. They asked my name by a question, You are William Gomes? I replied in the positive. Immediately, they put black ribon on my eyes (blindfold) and then a black mask (hood) on my head. They took my belongings that include my bag, mobile phone and wallet. The two men sitting on my two sides pointed what felt like guns to my head from both sides and said "Kuttar bachcha (---------), sound korbina (Don't make any sound)! Taile eikhan eiy guli koira dimu (Then, we will shoot you right here); Tore marar order hoise (Already order has been issued to kill you).

Then a man, who was sitting on the left seat to the driver, asked the driver to go to the 'Headquarter'. As the car started moving very fast a call came to a cell phone, which was carried by one of the abductors. The man received the call and the conversation I heard that he was saying, "Sir! Sir!! Kuttar bachcha re dhorsi (------- is caught!). Sir! Sir!! Ekhon e handcuff dita chhi (We are going to handcuff him right now!). Then they took my wrists and handcuffed me behind my back.

The car was moving fast. After around 40 minute it stopped at some place where they brought me out of the car. Two persons were holding my arm and shoulders from two sides while one them asked, "You move by yourself!" I said, "I cannot see. How can I move?" The man said, "Kuttar bachcha dekhos na (-----, can't see?) RAB er sob kisue tora dekhsos (You see everything what the RAB does). Tor putki dia aje ke gorom gorom dim dimu (We will push hot boiled egg through your anus today). Tor bapera tore kivave bachay dekhbi ne (You will see how your fathers -- meaning AHRC, other international human rights organisations and international community -- save you).

They took me inside of something and instructed someone to press nine. Then I understood that it was a lift, which was going to the ninth floor of a building.

They took me inside of a room and made me fully naked by taking off all my cloths including the underwear. One of them said, "Jarojer bacha muslomani kora abar nam dise christian (-------------is circumcised but takes a Christian name). Ei kuttar bacha RAB, army'r birudhee kaj korbe na to ke korbe (Who else will work against the RAB and Army except these-------)? Sob jaroj gula e kaj kore (All the ----- do the similar works).

The other man said, "Hurry up! Brigadier Sir is coming! Do not talk much now! Sirs will do their jobs; Onek mota file ase kuttar bachar namey (Very thick file is there against this -).

They put me on the floor and asked, "Sejda de kuttar bacha! (Bow down – like the Muslims touch their heads on the ground as part of prayer – -------)!

I did not understand what I was asked to do. Then, a man forced me to bow down like sejda warning me not to touch the floor with my head. Then the man said, "Sejda dia thakbi jarojer bacha (Keep in this position like Sejda, ----------); Matha tulbi to putki dia gorom dim dimu (If you raise your head, hot eggs will pushed into your anus). Tor babara, AHRC r baba go hate pia loi sob gula re putki dia 100 ta koira dim dimu (Whenever we will catch your fathers, the fathers from the AHRC, we will push one hundred hot eggs through their anus each). Suddenly, the man stopped talking to me and said, "Sir! Sir!! Ready Sir! Subject is ready!"

I was feeling cold in that highly cold room without any clothes on my whole body during this time. An unknown voice asked me, "William Gomes, when did you last time went out of the country?" I replied, "Maybe in August last". "Where?" he asked. I replied, "In Hong Kong". He said, "You forgot the date? You khankir pola (), jarojer bacha RTHK (Radio Television Hong Kong) te jia ki koisos buila gesos (--------, did you forget what did you said in RTHK)? koto taka pisos ei sob desh birodhi kotha bolar jonno (How much money have you received for doing this type of anti-state activities?) I said, "I did not say anything bad." Then, they played the RTHK radio programme and said, "You and your AHRC is only good and Hasina (Prime Minister of Bangladesh) is bad?"

I fell down on the floor on two occasions during this period. I felt that blood was coming out throughout my nose. I was felling extremely cold. They asked me, "When did you last meet with Khaleda Zia? Where is the money? Where is the koti (10 million) Taka that you have received?" I said that, "I have never met Khaleda Zia in my life. As a libertarian I do not meet with the right wing people." A new voice then said, "Kuttar bacha, Mishu'r case e koto taka pisos Khaleda Zia'r kas thika , (how much money did you receive from Khaleda Zia by dealing with the case of (Moshrefa) Mishu (a workers' leader, who belongs to the pro-communist party)?).

At this point one man started talking in native English and asked me, "How much did the AHRC gives you as source money? How many people do you have inside the RAB and the police?" He also asked, "How did you manage the audio record of Mishu's statement from the custody? How did you mange to organize protests in (South) Korea for Mishu?"

I kept quite because I was feeling that my brain would soon come out of my head. Then, one of the interrogators, who was previously asking questions, said, "Kuttar bachcha chup keno (Why is the --------- maintains silence)? Gola fataia tor bapera to sara pruthibi te koita tace RAB band korte (Your fathers have been shouting crazily all over the world to disband the RAB). Tor bapeder ban kormu, aj ke tore agey ban koira nei (We will ban your fathers; let us first ban you today).

Then they asked, "When did you go to (Pakistan controlled) Kashmir? When did you meet with the ISI (Inter Service Intelligence of Pakistan) people?" I said that "I never went there". They said, "We have information that you are appointed by the ISI to destroy the Bangladesh army, RAB and the police".

I said, "I never knew anyone of the ISI; I am a human rights activist. I only work for the AHRC." They said, "We know that you are a dalal (collaborator) of AHRC; they are the greatest enemy of Bangladesh and army." Your boss came to Bangladesh and said the army may come to power. What is the problem of---------------]? That kuttar bacha (----------) has been kicked out from his own country and that kuttar bachar sahos ki vave hoy Bangladesh army'r biruddhe kotha koi (How dare this son of dog speaks against the Bangladesh Army?)

Khankir pola, tui Birganj er thana burn korar jono taka disos (---------, you have paid money for burning the police station in Birganj (in Dinajpur district, in northern Bangladesh). DGFI, NSI report taie koi (The report of the Directorate General Forces Intelligence-DGFI and National Security Intelligence-NSI reveals this information). AHRC ar ISI koto taka disilo (How much money did the AHRC and ISI give you)? Police re osomman koros (You dishonor the police)? Tor bape ra aisa desh chali bo (Will your fathers will come to rule the country)? Tor sob mail amader kase ase (We have all of your emails in our hand)! Ko kuttar bachcha! thana burn korte kare koto taka disos (Tell us, ----------, whom did you pay how much money for burning the police station)?

I answered that "I am against violence and I never learned from the AHRC to do any violence." The man said, "Ah ha re! koto sadhu! Torai to desher somman sesh koira dita sos (Wao! What a saint! You are destroying the dignity of the country); Desher er development bondho koira dita sos (Stopping the development of the country); Desh er bahirey mukh dekhaite pari na (We cannot show our face in abroad (for your work).

One of them said to another person, "Sir amader major Mustafiz bisoye ta jiggasa koren (Sir, ask him about our Major Mustafiz (Mr. Mustafizur Rahman Bokul, an army major, who was the main instigator of the eye-gouging and fracturing of limbs of human rights defender Mr. FMA Razzak); Bangladesh army'r man ejjot sesh koira dise ei shuorer bacha ra (These --------have finished the prestige and dignity of the Bangladesh Army).

Another man asked, "How much money did you get to defame the Bangladesh army officials like major Musfatiz?" I said, "I am not against the Bangladesh Army. But there are bad people in the army, who kill people whenever they take over the power of the country. The man said, "Kuttar bachcha (-------)! Army kharap r tomra bhalo (Army is bad and you are good)? Jaroj er bacha (Son of bastard)!

NSI'r filey tor choddo gustirr khobor asey (There are detailed information of your fourteen generations in the files of the NSI); Tor bap e der sob khobor ase (All information about your fathers are also there). Tui Dulal re disturb korsos keno (Why do you disturb Dulal, a man, who was abducted by the RAB from the Dhamal Court area adjacent to the Dhaka Cantonment in 2010 and later returned after many months. He was kept in a secret torture cell cum detention centre of the RAB)? Razib Sazib re disturb koros keno (Why do you disturb Razib and Sazib (Two cousins, who were recently kidnapped by the RAB and detained and torture for about five days and later handed over to the police implicating a fabricated snatching case)? At that time a phone rang and the man talk to someone as I heard he was saying, "Sir! Sir!! Finishing, Sir!"
Then the foreigner, who was speaking in native English, asked, "When will ----- come to Bangladesh?" I said, "I do not know anything about ----". He again asked, "When your boss will come?" I again said, "I do not know".

I felt so thirsty there at that time and I requested them to give me some water to drink. Then a man gave me water; it was mild hot and the taste of the water was not normal.

Then another man said, "Razzak is a dalal (collaborator) and cheat; Our good officer major Mustafiz is saving the nation from dacoit (robber) like you; He (Major Mustafiz asked his brother to bring the bastard (FMA Razzak) and chokh ta tuila ne (Gouge out his eyes); Ei kuttar bachcha salar pola jeno ar dekhte na pare (As if this son of -------- can never see with his eyes). Kuttar bachcha Razzak er jonno aamader ghum haram (We could not sleep for this ----- Razzak); Sob jaiga thika sudhu mail r chiti (So many mails and letters have come to us all over (the world]). Tui kouttar bachcha ko koto taka pisos (--------! Tell us, how much money have you received)? Haramair bachcha! Taka tor putki dia dimu (Son of bastard! We will push the money through your anus)!

Police, magistrate der bolia dia hoise (Police and Magistrates are already instructed). Ja eibar joto khusi fight kor (Now, go! Fight your case as much as you can!) Oi salar pola Razzak er case e court ar police re amra ja rai ditey komu ta e dibo (Whatever we will instruct the court and the police to do regarding the case of Razzak that verdict will be declared)!

One of them said, Sob gula desho drohi (All are traitors)! Ei gula ei deshe thakar joggo na (These people do not deserve a place in this country); Passport gula nia fela dorkar ei kuttar bachchader (The passports of these -------- should be confiscated).

I was also asked who were the people in the diplomatic missions helping us? They asked, "Who are the countries that are providing funds to you?" I said, "We do not have any funds." They also asked, "Why I am interested about the Bangladeshi nationals in Indian jails (for which my organization Christian Development Alternative (CDA) wrote letter to the authorities requesting them to solve the problem from the human rights perspective.)? Why I am defaming a good government having good relationships with India?"

That man talked about the poster and sticker and asked, "Who is drawing the posters and stickers and who is printing?" I said, "I do not know the designer. Only Zaman Bhai (Mr. Ashrafuzzaman, a staff member of the AHRC) knows; He has his friends -- teachers in charukola (Fine Arts Faculty of the University of Dhaka). But I know the man who prints the materials in the press; I know the place but do not know the exact address." They asked, "Why did you send the materials to the parliament? We got complaints from the parliamentarians also! They talk about a law on torture! They must know that the law will never be passed! We will make it sure!"

Then one officer said, "O re ekta rastro drohi mamla den (Fabricate a treason case against him); then, another person said, "Na, ore jongi mamla dai (No, we should fabricate a militancy case against him). Then the foreigner's voice said, "He is a terrorist!"

The other man said, "Kill him and give to magur machh (Clarias gariepinus (a species of fish that eats up human beings) like Salim (A petty businessman who has been disappeared after the RAB arrested him from Gazipur a year ago for which the lawyers of the AHRC filed a Habeas Corpus petition before a High Court Division Bench of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh).

I started crying and said, "I have two small sons; please pardon me! I will never do this work again!"

Then, one of them said, "Kuttar bachcha! Tumi korba na (--------! You will not do!)! Tumar baba ra to aj ke e as ta ce (Your fathers are coming today)!! Amra jani na mone korso (Don't you think that we don't know it)? Haramir bachcha, amader ghum haram koira abar baire theke harmair bacha der daika nia an ta so (Son of bastard, destroying our sleep now you are bringing other sons of ------from abroad)? Desher er development ar somman sesh koira dita sos (You are finishing the development and dignity of the country)!

I said that I will not go (to the Asian Human Rights Commission) and "I will do no more work for the AHRC". Then, the man said, "You better not leave the work! Behave well until ------- are in the country. Do not tell them anything about our meeting! Go and behave like a normal man! You better listen to us! Otherwise, we know better how to make you listen!"

Then they took me in another room put my pants and t-shirt on and dragged me out from the room; put me in a similar car, which drove fast as well. When they took off my blindfold and hood I saw the same 5 feet 7 inches tall man came near to the car. He was carrying my belongings -- bag, mobile phone and wallet. I understood that it was the same car. The man was standing near to a vehicle of RAB and said, "Kuttar bachcha! Mukh khul ley magur mas re dia khamou (-------! If you open your mouth we will arrange Clarias gariepinus to eat you up); Amara tor sob dekhta ci (We are watching your every movements).

My health situation has gotten worse since that day. They might have put something in that water, which I drunk in their custody. I am having pain in both legs, particularly in knees and ankles. I find it very hard to write. Sometime I appear to be paralyzed; I do not find strength in hands; my body trembles and I feel that I will collapse at any time. I cannot sleep properly. Any small sound rings like big bang to me! I have pain in my backbone and at the whole of my back. Sometimes I cry when I remember that they made me naked and called me with very bad names. Can you imagine they called me jaroj (bastard)?

I fell that I should kill myself. They humiliated me but I cannot do anything. I am sure enough that the Commander of the Media and Legal Wing of RAB, M Sohail, was there in that room while they did all these to me and he was the man, who was translating to the foreigner.

It seems that my life is finished! They took me at around 10:30am in the morning (on 21 May 2011) and when I reached home it was around 3:30pm. I feel the pain . . . experience the pain all the time. I am very much ashamed whenever I think that they made me naked and forced me to bow me down before them like a slave! They blamed me to have connection with the ISI! I am not a man like that! I never went to Kashmir and Pakistan in my life!

I am felling so restless and tired! I am feeling pains in my head. It seems that something is moving inside my brain. I want to give good answers to the people who made me naked. I want them to know that I am powerless and poor and weak, but I am also fearless! I do not want to be killed by them like the DGFI and I want to sleep well, I still want to be a human rights lawyer. . .


http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-078-2011

http://blip.tv/asian-human-rights-commission/bangladesh-midnight-interrogations-5273612




__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Fwd: Prof Anu Muhammad on exploration oil & gas



-------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Zoglul Husain <zoglul@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Thu, Jun 16, 2011
Subject: RE: Prof Anu Muhammad on exploration oil & gas
To: Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com>

It is an excellent article. But the govt? They never listen, do they? ...... Please see the following: 
 
Govt sells out national interest to ConocoPhillips in offshore blocks 10 & 11
(Please click to read)
 
Professor Anu Muhammad and BUET Professor M Nurul Islam called the deal "suicidal". Govt ally Rashed Khan Menon MP 'declared the proposed PSC 'a tragedy' for the country. '
 
Noted in the report, "The National Committee on Protection of Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, comprising academicians, students, professionals and media activists, has been holding a series of demonstrations to protest the proposed deal. Several left parties and experts are also against the deal, saying Bangladesh would lose ownership of the blocks once the contract was signed."
 



__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Re: 16 June was a black day for the media and democracy



Zoglul Husain writes:

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) observed Black Day on 16 June (on this day in 1975 the BKSAL govt banned all newspapers except for four, which served them). The speakers were imbued with the flame and fervour of patriotism. Please read the details in the following report:
 
(Please click to read the Amar Desh report, 17 June 2011)
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/06/17/87734
 
Just quoting a part of Mahmudur Rahman's speech from the above report: "...This is a fascist govt...They don't believe in independence....The BDR was destroyed during this regime, 57 brilliant army officers were killed, now they are conspiring to destroy the army. By threatening the independence of the country, they are bringing the Indian army chief to receive salute from young army cadets in Bhatiary (military academy, Chittagong). The govt wants to handover the independence and sovereignty of the country to India. They are conceding corridor to India. They are conceding the sea ports. They want to make Bangladesh an extended part of India. This govt does not believe in the independence of Bangladesh. They are an anti-state force. If the present state continues, then the piece of territory would be there, but not independence and sovereignty. There would be people, but not the nation. If we remain quiet and inactive, then we would not be able to safeguard our independence...."






__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Migrants Tale - A Bongo from BD is the Disco King in Botswana



From magic king to disco king

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI

Botswana

http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=7&aid=1619&dir=2011/June/Thursday16Gaborone

 

Businessman Mohammed Sobhan has come a long way from being a magic king to a disco king or nightclub mogul.

 

Sobhan, who is originally from Bangladesh, came to Botswana in 1986 and during that time he became famous for staging magic shows around the country.  He was known as "Magic King" by then, but proclaims that he is still Botswana's king of magic.

 

During the old days Sobhan used to raise funds for charitable organisations like the Botswana Red Cross Society through his magic shows. In 1987, Sobhan married a Motswana woman from Gabane.  The couple have been blessed with four children.  One of Sobhan's sons, Faisal is following in his father's artistic side, as he has become a musician.

 

In 1989, Sobhan left Botswana for Zimbabwe where he stayed for 13 years.  When he was in Zimbabwe, he was raising funds for the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) youth league.   But when the country started to change, he and his family returned to Botswana.

 

He opened a popular nightclub in Digawaneng in 2001, which was known as Magic King.  Revellers from Lobatse and other surrounding areas used to patronise the night spot. Sobhan was also running the Monageng Jazz Pub in Lobatse.  But he closed it down because business was slow.  He also used to be a guest DJ at Nosey Road Nigh Club also in Lobatse, which has since been taken over by new owners.

 

Sobhan, who is known by his stage name as DJ MK, was also one of the DJs at the Digawana Club.  To him, Digawana Club became popular because he is a versatile DJ who can play any type of music.  "The club became very popular because of my music," he said.

However, Sobhan was forced to close Digawana due to misunderstandings with the landlord. Sobhan also used to run the entertainment side at the Embassy Pub in Kanye.  The Kanye pub became a hit because of his music, he brags.  It seems that everything that he touches with his magic hands turns into gold.

 

He also became a mobile DJ, playing in different venues and formed a group that was known as Magical Touch Band.  The band, comprising of musicians he had groomed in Zimbabwe, used to stage excellent shows at the Debswana Club in Jwaneng.

 

Sobhan later opened Club Catch Jazz 22 at Tsholofelo in Gaborone, which has recently been turned into a jazz joint, which he is running with renowned jazzman Soares Katumbela.  He told Showbiz that this is not the first time that he and Katumbela are collaborating as they operated some entertainment projects together in the past.  "

 

I have worked for a long time with Soares.  For instance, we were partners at Take Five Club in Mogo Hotel," he said. Sobhan revealed that they have spent a fortune to renovate the nightclub into a jazz joint.  His intention was to open a jazz venue of 'HIGH' quality.

 

He trusts that Katumbela's vast experience in showbiz will come in handy to turn the place around. Sobhan said they compliment each another with Katumbela.  While Katumbela is well grounded in jazz, he is an all-rounder himself.  "When I play, quality patrons patronise my clubs," he said.  DJ MK can play everything from oldies to South African music.

 

Sobhan used to run another nightclub at the Sedibelo Motel in Mochudi.  By that time he had also leased the motel.  But he left the business after it was gutted by fire.  It appears that the name Magic King is his trademark.

 

His nightclub in Mochudi was also known as Magic King. After closing the Mochudi nightclub, Sobhan opened another one in Gabane, which is still operating.  It is also known as Magic King nightclub.

 

He is also opening another nightclub close to the Tlokweng border gate, which is going to be known as Ghetto Blues.  He promises this is going to be an upmarket joint with all the top quality facilities. Sobhan said the opening of the new club is going to come as a relief to local musicians because there has been a shortage of venues for shows.  They will be mounting live shows at the border joint, which they hope artists may utilise to launch their albums.

 

This club was operated by different management in the past.  Sobhan is currently renovating the club and is not leaving anything to chance.  The new club is expected to be ready towards the end of the month.  "I believe that with my magic touch, I will be able to transform the place," said Magic King.

 

Meanwhile, Sobhan said it is not that he has stopped magic shows.  "It is only that I am not active like before.

 

But I have been doing corporate shows," he said.  Since the young generations do not know him as a magician, he intends to conduct a countrywide tour. "I am still the only reputable magician in this country," said the showman, who is not hesitant to blow his own trumpet.




__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

RE: [ALOCHONA] Rahnuma Ahmed Injured



What were doing this lady (so called girl friend of Anu Mahmud) on the rally? So called "National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources,Power and Ports" are working as agent of foreign country. They never want development of Bangladesh. We need gas, we need coal. Our democratic government has the right to take any decision for the interest of peoples of Bangladesh. 
 
J.A.Chowdhury
 

To:
From: bdmailer@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:42:36 +0600
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Rahnuma Ahmed Injured



Rahnuma Ahmed Injured

Rahnuma Ahmed was amongst around twenty people who were injured as police clashed with protesters at a rally held near the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Members of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports were protesting against the government bid to give lease of two deep-sea blocks to US oil company ConocoPhillips South Asia New Venture Ltd for oil-gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, which they say is against the interest of Bangladesh and is designed to profit a few corrupt individuals.

The police blockaded the rally near the secretariat, and baton charged the protesters as they approached the barricade. Writer and anthropologist Rahnuma Ahmed was one of several protesters who were injured during the clashes. The government plans to sign a contract with Connoco Phillips on the 16th June 2011.

Rahnuma Ahmed (centre) challenging police blockade near National Press Club Dhaka. 14th June 2011. Photo Hasan Raja

Rahnuma Ahmed was injured during the clash. 14th June 2011. Photo Hasan Raja

Rahnuma Ahmed injured during the clash. 14th Jume 2011. Photo Hasan Raja

http://www.shahidulnews.com/2011/06/rahnuma-ahmed-injured/

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

The gift of a `death squad'

by rahnuma ahmed

June 8th, 2011

image

A `death squad' was the BNP-Jamaat government's gift to the nation, a gift that has been nurtured and defended by two successive governments, each claiming to be vastly different to the previous one.

Claiming not only to be better, but morally superior.

The death-knell was struck more than seven years ago, on June 2, 2003, when the cabinet committee on Law and Order decided to form the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Those present were the committee president Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, law minister Moudud Ahmed, home minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, education minister Omar Farooq, and state minister for home affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar.

RAB was formally created eight months later, in March 2004, a composite force comprising elite members from the army, navy, air force, the police, and members of other law enforcement groups. It began full operations in June, the same year.

Remember Fakhruddin Ahmed, the ex-World Bank guy who led the military-installed caretaker government (2007-2008), who claimed to be driven by the objective of "holding a free, fair and credible election" which will truly reflect the "will of the people"? Who saw himself as a "champion or leader" motivated by the aim of "strengthening Bangladesh's democratic order"? (Time, March 22, 2007).

Well, if you search the records, it turns out that around 315 persons were killed extra-judicially under his, and general Moeen U Ahmed's, 23-month long emergency rule. Of these, the deaths of more than 250 persons were allegedly crossfire killings (`Bangladesh 2008. Insidious militarisation and illegal emergency,' Asian Human Rights Commission, December 2008).

Even if, for arguments sake, these persons were hardened criminals, how is the democratic functioning of state institutions strengthened by officials of its elite anti-crime, anti-terror force behaving exactly as criminals do?
By killing point-blank. By making up stories later of crossfires, shootouts and encounters, which every Bangladeshi knows to be untrue. I'm sure even their kids know that. I would have died of shame if my father had worked for RAB. I agree that kids don't choose their parents, let alone their dad's occupation but thank heaven, for big — very big — mercies!

And before that, surely you remember Khaleda Zia's stunning electoral victory because of the BNP's No 1 campaign promise: to improve law-and-order in the country? This of course didn't materialise, which made what the Awami League said in its 2008 electoral manifesto pretty accurate: extra-judicial killings had become the norm, the rule of law had disappeared. For, at the end of the BNP-Jamaat government's rule, the country's elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism force had been implicated in the unlawful killing of at least 350 people in custody. Additionally, of allegedly torturing hundreds more.

These minor matters however did not deter Khaleda Zia's government from awarding Swadhinata Padak, the most-prestigious national award, to RAB on March 23, 2006 for their "outstanding performance in maintaining law and order." It did not deter her government from awarding police medals to 28 RAB officers the next year. All of these officers, according to AHRC, have allegedly been involved in serious human rights violations, including extra-judicial killing.

And if one were to tote up the figures since January 6, 2009 — since the Awami League-led grand alliance's assumption of office — apparently, close to 200 people have been killed in RAB operations.

The director general of RAB had acknowledged 577 deaths, a figure which was later upped, in March 2010, to 622. Since extra-judicial killings have not ceased, official figures would now presumably be higher. Human rights groups in Bangladesh, however think that the number of crossfire deaths since RAB's inception has crossed a thousand.

Recently, the New York-based Human Rights Watch called on the government to either take major steps towards making RAB accountable, to reform it within the next six months, or to disband it altogether (Crossfire, HRW, May 10, 2011). When Nurul Kabir was asked to comment on HRW's urgent plea on a live TV talk show, he replied, our human rights organisations too would demand the same thing if they could.

How is democracy strengthened by giving killers legal impunity? For, as lawyers, journalists and human rights activists repeatedly point out, RAB enjoys impunity. A state of affairs enabled by the Armed Police Battalions ordinance, 1979, its 2003 amendment (on the basis of which RAB was formed), and the much older, colonial-era Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

RAB enjoys impunity because of governmental secrecy. Rules regulating RAB's conduct in its performance of law enforcement tasks were drafted and put into effect in 2005, but these rules have never been made public. Additionally, the 1979 ordinance and the 2003 amendment created special internal courts similar to a military court martial to put alleged offendors on trial. But till date, RAB officers have only been tried and punished for involvement in extortion, fraud, drug peddling, hiring sex workers. Not for committing grave human rights abuses. Not for torture. Not for killing.

The worst punishment meted out to RAB officers, even where allegations of extrajudicial killings — not through crossfire/shootout — have been confirmed in inquiry reports, has been, at most dishonorable discharge. No one has been criminally punished.

The government has not taken any action despite a High Court notice to the government asking why crossfire killings should not be declared illegal, the result of a public litigation filed by ASK, BLAST and Karmajibi Nari (June 29, 2009). Despite a suo moto ruling by the High Court asking the director general of RAB, and secretary, home ministry, to show cause why appropriate action should not be taken against RAB officers who, allegedly, had killed the Khalashi brothers.

The reconstitution of High Court benches, and re-assigning the 2 judges who had issued the suo moto ruling to civil instead of criminal cases, took care of that.

In the early days, people had celebrated when hardened criminals were crossfired by RAB. They had cheered, had distributed sweets, an occurrence which was used to justify RAB's modus operandi.

As each ruling government draws on RAB to carry out its vendetta against its political opponents, as each member of the public slumps and falls to the ground, as rumours fly around of individual officers, of small teams, hiring out their services to the monied to help them settle scores with their enemies, i.e., eliminate, what Brad Adams said at of HRW's press conference in Dhaka (May 10, 2011) does not seem far-fetched at all. A death squad is roaming the streets of Bangladesh.

I cannot help but wonder, how do higher-ups of the BNP-Jamaat government feel, what do they think when they see their successors pronouncements fizzle out? When the government's `zero tolerance' for crossfire killings, torture, deaths in custody (Dipu Moni, foreign minister) gradually rises? To its current status of `a hundred percent,' as evidenced by the prime minister's defence adviser, Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique's recent statement that Limon — the 16 year-old college student of Jhalokathi who was allegedly fired at point blank by RAB officials — is a `criminal'. That his father too, is a `criminal'. When the home minister Sahara Khatun chimes in, what Siddique said is the government's position. And, no, criminalising Limon a priori, while police investigations are being conducted, will not affect its findings. No, it will not influence judicial proceedings either.

Do they feel happy? Gleeful? Ha-ha, now that you are in the seat, now you know. See, there was no reason for being so outraged in April 2006 when the prime minister's advisor for parliamentary affairs, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury mockingly warned opposition members: follow the "right path" (siratul mustakim) or else, you'll be on RAB's "crossfire" list.

Probably not. Perverse delight at the AL government's about-turn is probably tempered by news of Shaka Chowdhury's current distress. He was detained by RAB officers, and officials of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) last December. Initially charged with instigating a firebomb attack, Chowdhury, who is generally thought to be a war criminal, is presently being investigated for 1971 war crimes. In a letter from prison, addressed apparently to the British government, Chowdhury writes of losing consciousness while being beaten around the head and back. Of recovering consciousness only to discover himself strapped to a metal table. "My abductors were engaged in clamping on metal clips and clamps on various parts of my body – my toes, my knees, my genitals, my hernia incisions, my chest nipples and my armpits. A bearded doctor strapped a blood pressure measuring [device] on to my arm and started instructions to first insert needles under my toenails and switch on electric surges." (Guardian, February 25, 2011).

But, as Tasneem Khalil, journalist, who was himself handcuffed, blindfolded and tortured during the caretaker government period, insists, "In a civilized society, you cannot go after anyone in a totally arbitrary manner without access to bail and imprison them and not let them — [not let] their cases [be] tried by a free court, [an] independent court." Even barrister Moudud Ahmed, despite his "role in creating the battalion" should not have been been led away blindfolded from his home, as he was in early 2007. He should not have been interrogated round the clock. He should not have been held in custody without trial or access to lawyers. Even Moudud Ahmed has the "right to due process." (NPR, March 20, 2008). So would Lutfuzzaman Babar, currently imprisoned, who had said, "criminals do not have human rights."

Calls for disbanding RAB have, predictably enough, given rise to clutching RAB-ever more dearly to-the-bosom responses from the government. Earlier defenses, "RAB had only killed `criminals.' No more crossfire incidents are taking place in the country (law minister Shafique Ahmed), `What will the law enforcers do, save themselves or die, when criminals open fire on them?' (Sahara Khatun), `Crossfire killings are not human rights violations, they have helped bring extortion and other crimes under control' (port and shipping minister Shahjahan Khan), have been reinforced with new ones. A `conspiracy' is being hatched to disband RAB. A plot is afoot. Why? Because it has been successful in tackling violent crimes, in dealing with militancy, says our `one hundred percent sure' man, the prime minister's defence adviser. A few bad apples, the whole unit shouldn't be blamed. The conspirators are many, organisations, persons, foreign NGOs.

A deathly gift, treasured by the nation's rulers, whether civilian or military, whether the BNP-Jamaat and its smaller partners, or the Awami Leage and its alliance members. Treasured by each party when in power, despite having suffered. At times, viciously. Torture. Targeted killings.

Since violence begets more violence, for us, law-abiding members of the public, cross-firing RAB cannot be the answer. Neither can appealing to the British government provide any solution, mired as it is in imperial wars.

Only accountability, can. Only the due process of law, can. Only people's resistance, can.

This version is slightly changed, the original has been published in New Age, Monday, June 6, 2011

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/editorial/21325.html





__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

Re: [ALOCHONA] Rahnuma Ahmed Injured



SHOULD THERE NOT BE AN APOLOGY FROM THE WOMEN PRIME MINISTER WHO DIES TO ESTABLISH N EMPOWER WOMEN'S RIGHT AS EQUAL CITIZEN IN ACQUIRING FAMILY ASSETS (ONLY ???) N ALLOW THEM TO BE EQUAL WITH MEN FOLK.

 
AT THE SAME TIME A MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY FROM THE LADY OPPOSITION LEADER TO UPHOLD WOMEN'S RIGHT AS EQUAL CITIZEN OF THE COUNTRY TO RAISE VOICE AGAINST WRONG DOING BY POWER ALONGSIDE WITH THE MEN FOLK
  
On Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 11:42 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
 

Rahnuma Ahmed Injured

Rahnuma Ahmed was amongst around twenty people who were injured as police clashed with protesters at a rally held near the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Members of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports were protesting against the government bid to give lease of two deep-sea blocks to US oil company ConocoPhillips South Asia New Venture Ltd for oil-gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, which they say is against the interest of Bangladesh and is designed to profit a few corrupt individuals.

The police blockaded the rally near the secretariat, and baton charged the protesters as they approached the barricade. Writer and anthropologist Rahnuma Ahmed was one of several protesters who were injured during the clashes. The government plans to sign a contract with Connoco Phillips on the 16th June 2011.

Rahnuma Ahmed (centre) challenging police blockade near National Press Club Dhaka. 14th June 2011. Photo Hasan Raja

Rahnuma Ahmed was injured during the clash. 14th June 2011. Photo Hasan Raja

Rahnuma Ahmed injured during the clash. 14th Jume 2011. Photo Hasan Raja

http://www.shahidulnews.com/2011/06/rahnuma-ahmed-injured/

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

The gift of a `death squad'

by rahnuma ahmed

June 8th, 2011

image

A `death squad' was the BNP-Jamaat government's gift to the nation, a gift that has been nurtured and defended by two successive governments, each claiming to be vastly different to the previous one.

Claiming not only to be better, but morally superior.

The death-knell was struck more than seven years ago, on June 2, 2003, when the cabinet committee on Law and Order decided to form the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Those present were the committee president Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, law minister Moudud Ahmed, home minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, education minister Omar Farooq, and state minister for home affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar.

RAB was formally created eight months later, in March 2004, a composite force comprising elite members from the army, navy, air force, the police, and members of other law enforcement groups. It began full operations in June, the same year.

Remember Fakhruddin Ahmed, the ex-World Bank guy who led the military-installed caretaker government (2007-2008), who claimed to be driven by the objective of "holding a free, fair and credible election" which will truly reflect the "will of the people"? Who saw himself as a "champion or leader" motivated by the aim of "strengthening Bangladesh's democratic order"? (Time, March 22, 2007).

Well, if you search the records, it turns out that around 315 persons were killed extra-judicially under his, and general Moeen U Ahmed's, 23-month long emergency rule. Of these, the deaths of more than 250 persons were allegedly crossfire killings (`Bangladesh 2008. Insidious militarisation and illegal emergency,' Asian Human Rights Commission, December 2008).

Even if, for arguments sake, these persons were hardened criminals, how is the democratic functioning of state institutions strengthened by officials of its elite anti-crime, anti-terror force behaving exactly as criminals do?
By killing point-blank. By making up stories later of crossfires, shootouts and encounters, which every Bangladeshi knows to be untrue. I'm sure even their kids know that. I would have died of shame if my father had worked for RAB. I agree that kids don't choose their parents, let alone their dad's occupation but thank heaven, for big — very big — mercies!

And before that, surely you remember Khaleda Zia's stunning electoral victory because of the BNP's No 1 campaign promise: to improve law-and-order in the country? This of course didn't materialise, which made what the Awami League said in its 2008 electoral manifesto pretty accurate: extra-judicial killings had become the norm, the rule of law had disappeared. For, at the end of the BNP-Jamaat government's rule, the country's elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism force had been implicated in the unlawful killing of at least 350 people in custody. Additionally, of allegedly torturing hundreds more.

These minor matters however did not deter Khaleda Zia's government from awarding Swadhinata Padak, the most-prestigious national award, to RAB on March 23, 2006 for their "outstanding performance in maintaining law and order." It did not deter her government from awarding police medals to 28 RAB officers the next year. All of these officers, according to AHRC, have allegedly been involved in serious human rights violations, including extra-judicial killing.

And if one were to tote up the figures since January 6, 2009 — since the Awami League-led grand alliance's assumption of office — apparently, close to 200 people have been killed in RAB operations.

The director general of RAB had acknowledged 577 deaths, a figure which was later upped, in March 2010, to 622. Since extra-judicial killings have not ceased, official figures would now presumably be higher. Human rights groups in Bangladesh, however think that the number of crossfire deaths since RAB's inception has crossed a thousand.

Recently, the New York-based Human Rights Watch called on the government to either take major steps towards making RAB accountable, to reform it within the next six months, or to disband it altogether (Crossfire, HRW, May 10, 2011). When Nurul Kabir was asked to comment on HRW's urgent plea on a live TV talk show, he replied, our human rights organisations too would demand the same thing if they could.

How is democracy strengthened by giving killers legal impunity? For, as lawyers, journalists and human rights activists repeatedly point out, RAB enjoys impunity. A state of affairs enabled by the Armed Police Battalions ordinance, 1979, its 2003 amendment (on the basis of which RAB was formed), and the much older, colonial-era Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

RAB enjoys impunity because of governmental secrecy. Rules regulating RAB's conduct in its performance of law enforcement tasks were drafted and put into effect in 2005, but these rules have never been made public. Additionally, the 1979 ordinance and the 2003 amendment created special internal courts similar to a military court martial to put alleged offendors on trial. But till date, RAB officers have only been tried and punished for involvement in extortion, fraud, drug peddling, hiring sex workers. Not for committing grave human rights abuses. Not for torture. Not for killing.

The worst punishment meted out to RAB officers, even where allegations of extrajudicial killings — not through crossfire/shootout — have been confirmed in inquiry reports, has been, at most dishonorable discharge. No one has been criminally punished.

The government has not taken any action despite a High Court notice to the government asking why crossfire killings should not be declared illegal, the result of a public litigation filed by ASK, BLAST and Karmajibi Nari (June 29, 2009). Despite a suo moto ruling by the High Court asking the director general of RAB, and secretary, home ministry, to show cause why appropriate action should not be taken against RAB officers who, allegedly, had killed the Khalashi brothers.

The reconstitution of High Court benches, and re-assigning the 2 judges who had issued the suo moto ruling to civil instead of criminal cases, took care of that.

In the early days, people had celebrated when hardened criminals were crossfired by RAB. They had cheered, had distributed sweets, an occurrence which was used to justify RAB's modus operandi.

As each ruling government draws on RAB to carry out its vendetta against its political opponents, as each member of the public slumps and falls to the ground, as rumours fly around of individual officers, of small teams, hiring out their services to the monied to help them settle scores with their enemies, i.e., eliminate, what Brad Adams said at of HRW's press conference in Dhaka (May 10, 2011) does not seem far-fetched at all. A death squad is roaming the streets of Bangladesh.

I cannot help but wonder, how do higher-ups of the BNP-Jamaat government feel, what do they think when they see their successors pronouncements fizzle out? When the government's `zero tolerance' for crossfire killings, torture, deaths in custody (Dipu Moni, foreign minister) gradually rises? To its current status of `a hundred percent,' as evidenced by the prime minister's defence adviser, Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique's recent statement that Limon — the 16 year-old college student of Jhalokathi who was allegedly fired at point blank by RAB officials — is a `criminal'. That his father too, is a `criminal'. When the home minister Sahara Khatun chimes in, what Siddique said is the government's position. And, no, criminalising Limon a priori, while police investigations are being conducted, will not affect its findings. No, it will not influence judicial proceedings either.

Do they feel happy? Gleeful? Ha-ha, now that you are in the seat, now you know. See, there was no reason for being so outraged in April 2006 when the prime minister's advisor for parliamentary affairs, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury mockingly warned opposition members: follow the "right path" (siratul mustakim) or else, you'll be on RAB's "crossfire" list.

Probably not. Perverse delight at the AL government's about-turn is probably tempered by news of Shaka Chowdhury's current distress. He was detained by RAB officers, and officials of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) last December. Initially charged with instigating a firebomb attack, Chowdhury, who is generally thought to be a war criminal, is presently being investigated for 1971 war crimes. In a letter from prison, addressed apparently to the British government, Chowdhury writes of losing consciousness while being beaten around the head and back. Of recovering consciousness only to discover himself strapped to a metal table. "My abductors were engaged in clamping on metal clips and clamps on various parts of my body – my toes, my knees, my genitals, my hernia incisions, my chest nipples and my armpits. A bearded doctor strapped a blood pressure measuring [device] on to my arm and started instructions to first insert needles under my toenails and switch on electric surges." (Guardian, February 25, 2011).

But, as Tasneem Khalil, journalist, who was himself handcuffed, blindfolded and tortured during the caretaker government period, insists, "In a civilized society, you cannot go after anyone in a totally arbitrary manner without access to bail and imprison them and not let them — [not let] their cases [be] tried by a free court, [an] independent court." Even barrister Moudud Ahmed, despite his "role in creating the battalion" should not have been been led away blindfolded from his home, as he was in early 2007. He should not have been interrogated round the clock. He should not have been held in custody without trial or access to lawyers. Even Moudud Ahmed has the "right to due process." (NPR, March 20, 2008). So would Lutfuzzaman Babar, currently imprisoned, who had said, "criminals do not have human rights."

Calls for disbanding RAB have, predictably enough, given rise to clutching RAB-ever more dearly to-the-bosom responses from the government. Earlier defenses, "RAB had only killed `criminals.' No more crossfire incidents are taking place in the country (law minister Shafique Ahmed), `What will the law enforcers do, save themselves or die, when criminals open fire on them?' (Sahara Khatun), `Crossfire killings are not human rights violations, they have helped bring extortion and other crimes under control' (port and shipping minister Shahjahan Khan), have been reinforced with new ones. A `conspiracy' is being hatched to disband RAB. A plot is afoot. Why? Because it has been successful in tackling violent crimes, in dealing with militancy, says our `one hundred percent sure' man, the prime minister's defence adviser. A few bad apples, the whole unit shouldn't be blamed. The conspirators are many, organisations, persons, foreign NGOs.

A deathly gift, treasured by the nation's rulers, whether civilian or military, whether the BNP-Jamaat and its smaller partners, or the Awami Leage and its alliance members. Treasured by each party when in power, despite having suffered. At times, viciously. Torture. Targeted killings.

Since violence begets more violence, for us, law-abiding members of the public, cross-firing RAB cannot be the answer. Neither can appealing to the British government provide any solution, mired as it is in imperial wars.

Only accountability, can. Only the due process of law, can. Only people's resistance, can.

This version is slightly changed, the original has been published in New Age, Monday, June 6, 2011

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/editorial/21325.html




__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

Re: [ALOCHONA] 16 June was a black day for the media and democracy



THIS IS BAL'S DEMOCRACY THE  K. JIBIS AND DIE HARD ACTIVISTS ARE DYING FOR TO IMPLEMENT TO ESTABLISH FREEDOM EXPRESSION() OF THE PEOPLE IN SONAR BANGLA.


IT APPEARS THAT THE WAY THE K.JIBIS ARE SLIDING TOWARD DARK OLD BAKSAL DAYS BY STRANGULATING THE POPULAR OPINION MAY BE WE ARE NEARING DOOMS DAY OF ALL TYPES OF FREEDOM AS WITNESSED 1972 - 1975 ??????????????




__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___