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Friday, January 27, 2012

[ALOCHONA] Re: BSF's inhuman torture



Weekly  BUDHBAR  report:



http://budhbar.com/?p=7445

On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 2:51 PM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

Ashraful's comments irresponsible: citizens

Politicians, academics and rights activists have termed 'irresponsible' the comments of local government, rural development and cooperatives minister Syed Ashraful Islam on the border killings by the Indian Border Security Force.

It is the state's constitutional obligation to protect its citizen and if the state says it is not worried about the killings of its citizen, it means the state is unprotected and insecure, they said in their reaction to Ashraful's comments on the border killings.

Ashraful, also the Awami League general secretary, said on Saturday that the state was not worried over the killing and torture of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF along the border.

In the latest such incident, a Bangladeshi national was shot dead and three others were injured by the BSF in Dhannyokhola frontier of Benapole on Saturday.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch said that the BSF had killed some 1,000 Bangladeshis over the last decade.

'Ashraful's comments are not in line with the government's policy. The government has already protested at killing of Bangladeshi citizens by the BSF. It worried the government and so it reacted,' said Workers Party lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, an ally of the ruling Awami League.

He said that it was state's constitutional obligation to protect its citizens.

The state cannot avoid its responsibility, Menon said.

Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra executive director Sultana Kamal said, 'Such comments are not acceptable. It is the state's responsibility to look after everything. It cannot say it has concern for something and not worried about other things.'    

Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, however,  declined comments on the issue.

When asked about his reaction, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Haq Inu said, 'The state cannot take these killings lightly.'

He said that the explanation given by the Indian authorities on the border killings was not acceptable and the government should take these incidents very seriously.        

Jatiya Party leader Anisul Islam Mahmud said that in an independent and sovereign country, killings of its citizens on borders should worry the government.

'The government should also take steps so that border killings do not take place in future,' he said.

Human rights organisation Odhikar's secretary Adilur Rahman Khan termed Ashraful's comments irresponsible. 

'We did not expect such remarks from a responsible person like him,' he said. 

Adilur said the comments would encourage BSF and the Indian authorities to continue their atrocities and aggressive attitude towards Bangladeshi nationals.   

Economist and social activist Anu Mohammad said, 'He [Ashraful] should have rather said that the government has no concern for its citizens. It is unfortunate that many such killings are taking place but the government is silent.'

He said that the present government did not even hesitate to destroy a river in Bangladesh for India's benefit.

'If the government is not worried about the killings of its people, then the state is unprotected and insecure,' he added.   

Dhaka University's international relations professor Imtiaz Ahmed termed Ashraful's remarks extremely irresponsible. 'Who will protect the citizens if it is not the state's responsibility to protect them,' he wondered.

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/48003.html


On Sun, Jan 22, 2012 at 11:43 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
Don't blow it up, India says on BSF torture


With a video footage showing Indian border guards brutally torturing a Bangladeshi still a major topic of talks across the country, India on Saturday said the media should not "blow it out of proportions". "Such incidents often take place at the border. There is no need to blow them out of proportions," Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in Kolkata.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=35268
Govt unperturbed by border development: Ashraf


While attacks on Bangladeshis continue near the Indo-Bangla border, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said on Saturday that the government is not worried over the developments. "The government cannot put aside everything and only think about what's going on there on the border," Ashraf, also the general secretary of ruling Awami League, told hours after BSF gunned down another Bangladeshi cattle trader.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=35264

In a tone quite similar, Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Bangladesh LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday downplayed Indian border guards' torture of a Bangladeshi citizen near the border.While Mukherjee asked the media in Kolkata not to blow it "out of proportions", Ashraful in Dhaka said his government is not "much worried" about such incidents along the Indo-Bangla border area.

Their statements came after the footage of a Bangladeshi cattle smuggler being stripped and tortured by, what appeared to be, Indian border guards in Murshidabad was shown by several media. Yesterday, Indian Border Security Force shot dead a Bangladeshi in Benapole of Jessore.

Hot on the heels of an outcry over the brutality shown in the footage, the Indian finance minister told reporters, "Such incidents often take place at the border. There is no need to blow them out of proportions." Mukherjee said the governments of India and Bangladesh would resolve the issue through discussion, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

According to the victim, Habibur Rahman, a 22-year-old cattle smuggler from Chapainawabganj, BSF men in uniform stripped and tortured him on December 9 last year as he refused to pay them a bribe.The video clip, which was aired on some Indian TV channels, including NDTV, earned strong criticism of the BSF personnel from people in both countries. The BSF authorities have already suspended eight of its personnel in connection with the incident and ordered a fully-fledged probe.Bangladesh has already protested the "violent action" by BSF and urged India to thoroughly probe the matter.

Asked to comment on BSF's torture on Bangladeshi citizens, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraf yesterday said, "Many such incidents are taking place in the bordering areas of the countries--cattle lifting, drug smuggling and many other things. This is nothing new. These happened in the past, are happening now and will also happen in future."

Ashraful was talking to reporters after inaugurating the orientation programme for the newly appointed zila parishad administrators in the capital. His statement drew flak from opposition BNP. "Cattle lifting, drug smuggling and many other crimes take place in border areas. We hear about these from people who live along the border and also from those who live elsewhere."

Asked if torture and killings at the border were provocative, he said, "The state is not too much concerned about it. It is not right that the state shall focus only on these issues, leaving aside all other businesses."

However, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday criticised Ashraful's remarks about the government not being worried. "Fie on Syed Ashraf! Fie on the government which has failed to ensure security of the people and to raise any protest against the incidents," said Fakhrul during a discussion at Diploma Engineers Institute in the capital."Our brothers are being killed one after another continuously. Felani's body was hung to the fence. But our government is silent," he said. Because of the government's subservient policy, the country's sovereignty has been compromised, he claimed.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=219359

On Sat, Jan 21, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

BSF guns down another Bangladeshi

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly shot dead a Bangladeshi cattle trader along Dhannokhola frontier of Benapole in Jessore early Saturday.Our Benapole correspondent identified the deceased as Rashedul Islam, 25, son of one Mosharraf Hossain of Matipukur village in Sharsha upazila.

Hasan Hafezur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Benapole Port Police Station, said the BSF troops of Indian Shuta camp in 24 Parganas district of Paschimbanga opened fire on Rashedul when he was returning to Bangladesh territory from India with cattle around 5:00am.

Rashedul died on the spot, the OC said.

On information, Benapole port police rushed to the spot, recovered the body and sent it to Jessore General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

The killing came when tension is prevailing between the two neighbours following the release of a video clip that pictured some BSF men brutally torturing a Bangladeshi citizen in Murshidabad district of Paschimbanga.

The video clip which was aired on some Indian TV channels, including NDTV, showed the footage of men in BSF uniform stripping and torturing the Bangladeshi national on January 9.

The nearly five-minute video footage,whose source and authenticity could not be ascertained immediately, showed that the victim was pushed to the ground with his hands and legs tied while three to four men in BSF uniform stripped and tortured him. The Bangladeshi man was tortured as he allegedly refused to pay them a bribe.

The authorities of Indian border troops on January 18 suspended eight jawans following the brutality.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=35260






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[ALOCHONA] South Asia's other Rahuls



South Asia's other Rahuls

In June, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied his father, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, to a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Just last year, he was in the Oval Office as his father met US President Barack Obama. There aren't many 22-year-olds who sit in on meetings at 10 Downing Street and the White House. But such meetings are part of the political grooming of the third-generation successor to the Bhutto legacy. Even as Rahul Gandhi, 41, heir to the world's only fifth-generation political dynasty grapples with the grime of Uttar Pradesh, second and third-generation political leaders are understanding the complexities of power in four of South Asia's democracies.

Pakistan

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Prep school to PM-in-waiting
Are good leaders born or made? This young Pakistani scion was never given the chance to ponder the question. As a student at Dubai's Rashid School for Boys in 2004, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had categorically stated that politics was not on his mind. "We will see. I would like to help the people of Pakistan, so I will decide when I complete my studies," he said. Ultimately the choice was not his to make, as in the case of many others born to powerful political dynasties in the Indian subcontinent.

The son of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto stepped in as leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after her assassination in Rawalpindi on December 26, 2007. The shy, reticent 19-year-old modern history student from Christ Church College at Oxford University found himself in the midst of the biggest storm of his life. Not only did he have to deal with his mother's brutal death, but also with the future of her political party.

BILAWAL BHUTTO ZARDARI, 22 Chairman,Pakistan Peoples Party

Genealogy Son of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, Grandson of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

Interests Taekwondo, cricket, horse riding, swimming, squash and target shooting

Operates from Oxford University and Islamabad.

Non-starter Launched an email address for direct contact with party workers but failed to make any tangible impact

Dream project Internet access for all in Pakistan

At a press conference in central London, days after Benazir's murder, his father Asif Ali Zardari presented him to the world media as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, co-chair of the ppp and heir apparent of the country once he graduated from Oxford. Inserting the 'Bhutto' was a shrewd move by his father to wipe out his own corrupt "Mr 10 Per Cent" image and present a new, clean, pedigreed leader.

The aim was to groom the grieving boy of December 2007, who simply said, "My mother always said democracy is the best revenge", into an angry young man by the time he took over the reins of the party last year. In 2009, while addressing party workers in Islamabad, his hyperbole was clearly designed to tug at emotions that have the potential of being converted into sympathy votes. He screamed: "We have sacrificed my uncles, we have sacrificed my grandfather, we have sacrificed my mother. You want blood, I'll give blood." Never mind his clipped British accent and his apparent inexperience.

According to Oxford University rules, which frown upon students being involved in mainstream politics until they earn their degree, he will be ready for active politics only by September. The next parliamentary polls are due in the country in 2013. Addressing a meeting of his party's coordination committee on July 25, Zardari said Bilawal will return to Pakistan in September and contest elections in future from Lyari, a neighbourhood of Karachi. But Bilawal tweeted saying he will not contest the "next elections" in 2013.

Far removed from his carefree college days of partying with friends, one whom he called 'Boozie Suzie' on Facebook, the young prime minister-in-waiting has been tipped to take up official party responsibilities in September with a visit to China. But it will take a lot more groundwork for this reluctant politician to be taken seriously.

Sri Lanka

Namal Rajapaksha
Namal Rajapaksha
Contact sports to political contacts
In January 2010, Sri Lanka's former army commander, Sarath Fonseka, lost an election bid to oust Mahinda Rajapaksa, the incumbent president. An Internet chainmail '10 reasons not to slit your wrists over the election result' encouraged Fonseka supporters to "do creative things like undermining Namal Rajapaksa's ascendancy to pass the time".

The eldest of President Rajapaksa's three sons, Namal wasn't even a member of parliament at the time. He was a domestic rugby player, though he didn't play for the country. He gained a third class law degree from London's City University and continues to study law in Colombo. Namal is not known for his erudition. His website claims he enjoys reading. He has yet to be pictured with his nose in a book. His attraction comes from a carefully nurtured boy-next-door demeanour. What he lacks in academic depth, he makes up for with skilful PR. Although sociable and unpretentious, Namal did not initially seem destined for greatness. For one, he was too young. And it was widely assumed that Basil, President Rajapaksa's politically savvy younger brother, would succeed him.

Then, in 2007, Namal staged his soft launch in mainstream politics with a press conference to promote a youth organisation that he started with his brother Yoshitha. It was called Tharunyata Hetak (A Tomorrow for Youth). Rather aptly, it helped forge young Namal's future in politics. Donations supported projects such as scholarships, employment training and sports events. Each initiative also achieved a more insidious objective-enhancing Namal's profile.

Namal's greatest assets, though, are his political legacy and the investment of a powerful father who believes firmly in birthright. His late grandfather, Don Alwin Rajapaksa, was an MP and a minister. His late grand uncle, Don Matthew Rajapaksa, was a state councillor in the 1930s. His uncle, Gotabaya, is the defence secretary in the present administration. Another uncle, Basil, is minister of economic development while a third, Chamal, is the speaker of Parliament. Many other relatives hold government positions through presidential patronage.

NAMAL RAJAPAKSA, 24
Member of Parliament

Genealogy Son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Favourite ride Air Force helicopter

Operates from Temple Trees, the president's official home in Colombo

Non-starter Luxury train from Colombo to Kattunayaka airport began at his suggestion. Wound up after a few months.

Dream project Wants Lanka to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games

In April 2010, Namal was nominated by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to contest the parliamentary election from Beliatta in Hambantota district. It was his father's and grandfather's constituency and he won with the largest percentage of preferential votes. Since then, the presidential progeny has been extensively, and expensively, promoted as successor to the head of state. He gets privileges new MPs can only dream of. State media fawn over his every move. He attends state functions and is invited as chief guest to inaugurate roads, government buildings, schools and bridges. He optimises these occasions to proclaim views about everything from governance and religion to education and, his personal favourite, youth empowerment. With a bureau at Temple Trees, the president's official home, Namal uses vehicles from his father's pool and travels by air force helicopter for trips out of the city. Government officials and ministers scramble to do his bidding and the president assigns him duties to enhance his public standing.

Coincidentally, Hambantota is the site of a mega Chinese port project and a new international stadium which recently hosted two cricket World Cup matches. It will also soon have an international airport, as the government continues to lavish cash on the Rajapaksa constituency. As for Namal, unless a family feud shatters the grip of the ruling family on Sri Lankan politics, this young man will be the answer to an enduring dynasty.

Sajith Premadasa
Sajith Premadasa
Party power to absolute control
Whatever else Sajith Premadasa might be admired for, it is not team playing. The son of Sri Lanka's third president, Ranasinghe Premadasa-assassinated in 1993 by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber-is impatient to take over the reins of the United National Party (UNP) and the country. He exudes confidence. In an August 2010 interview with an online newspaper, Sajith asserted that the reins of the UNP, of which he is co-deputy leader, aren't enough. He aspires to govern the country.

This self-assuredness might be what prompted the 44-year-old to challenge seasoned politician Ranil Wickremesinghe for leadership of the UNP. Twice prime minister of Sri Lanka, 62-year-old Wickremesinghe has been at the helm of the party since 1994, the year Sajith entered politics. But sections within the UNP were increasingly unhappy with Wickremesinghe, branding his style of inner-party governance as dictatorial. They were also sick of repeated electoral losses which they blamed on his aloofness towards grassroots membership. Sniffing around for alternative leadership, these disgruntled elements gradually settled on Sajith. He is, after all, son of a president who was much loved by the common man.

So, while Sajith did not have the immediate backing of a rich, powerful, and surviving, head of state like Namal Rajapaksa, the dissidents in the UNP considered him a good candidate to send Wickremesinghe packing. The battle came to a head before local government polls in March 2011 when Sajith openly contested against Wickremesinghe and effectively split party loyalties in two. But after a charged factional tussle, the party's governing body voted to retain Wickremesinghe as leader. But because of the split Sajith created, there are fireworks at every UNP working committee meeting now.

"Sajith is a little impatient with others," reflects a colleague of his late father, choosing his words cautiously. "He wants to be leader. Ranasinghe Premadasa had that too. He wanted to occupy the top slot and couldn't stand competition at that level." "I don't tolerate incompetence," Sajith counters. "I'm a team player as far as people who contribute meaningfully are concerned. I don't waste time with people who have a detrimental impact on our country."

AJITH PREMADASA, 44
Co-Deputy Leader, UNP

Genealogy son of Ranasinghe Premadasa, former president of Sri Lanka

Inheritance of loss Joined politics in 1994, a year after his father was killed

Significant other Wife Jalani Premadasa runs a beauty salon in Colombo

Can be spotted in public playing Electric guitar

Animal lover Wildlife photography and horse riding among favourite activities

Sajith has chosen to live in rural Hambantota, the bastion of the ruling Rajapaksa family. He does a lot of work in the villages through his grassroots organisation Janasuwaya. He is an arresting and persuasive speaker in both Sinhala and English, a distinct plus. He has performed exceptionally during the elections too. Sajith first entered politics in 2000, when he was elected to Parliament from Hambantota with 83 per cent of the UNP preferential votes. He won 89 per cent of the preferential votes in the 2010 election.

Those who knew his father say Sajith shares with Premadasa the determination to "just get on with it". He is decisive and unfazed by obstacles. If anything, he welcomes a good challenge. He can sing and plays several musical instruments. "I'm not great," he confesses, "but I can hold my own." Sajith was educated at Mill Hill School, London, where he played cricket and served as prefect. He graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in economics, politics and international relations. While he was pursuing a Masters in Public Management at the University of Maryland, Washington D.C. in 1993, his father was killed and young Sajith returned to Sri Lanka.

For Sajith, the immediate challenge is reviving the party after the drubbing it received in the July 23 local council elections. Mahinda Rajapaksa's United Freedom Alliance defeated the UNP in all the 39 Sinhala-majority regions.

Sajith claims to "enjoy walking up to the wild elephant and holding its trunk". When your party symbol is also an elephant, this takes on a whole new meaning.

Bangladesh

Sajeeb Wazed
Sajeeb Wazed
It Boy or Eternal Leader?
It is difficult to predict when Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed aka 'Joy' will formally enter politics. The Virginia-based it professional holds no official position in the ruling Awami League, except a simple party membership and tag of 'adviser' to his mother Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 63, who is also party chief. Perhaps it has to do with the vocal opposition of his wife, US-born Kristine Ann Overmire, who fears the violence hardwired into Bangladesh's political history. Sajeeb's grandfather was assassinated in a military putsch and his mother escaped death in 2004. The Wazeds hold dual nationality-Kristine became a Bangladeshi citizen after Hasina's government brought in a special amendment.

Dhaka-based political historian Muntassir Mamoon believes Sajeeb will not take over the party. Bangladeshi expatriate leaders say Sajeeb has put the brakes on his political appearances in Bangladesh after queries were raised on his assets and his meetings with US officials in 2009. He visited the country this July for the Digital Innovation Fair, afer a two-year gap-the last visit was in 2009, when he attended the funeral of his nuclear scientist father, Wazed Miah. In December 2009, a pro-opposition newspaper quoted documents alleging kickbacks from an American firm for a $52 million energy project. The charges have not been investigated by the government. Sajeeb then attracted flak for a factually flawed critique of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in newspapers and blogs after the chairman of Grameen Bank was dismissed from office. None of these allegations has stuck to Sajeeb but they have tarnished his reputation.

SAJEEB WAZED, 40
Special Adviser to Awami League president Sheikh Hasina

Genealogy Son of Sheikh Hasina, grandson of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh

Lives in Virginia,US

Political moment Lobbying US lawmakers to restore democracy in Bangladesh

Dream project Digital Bangladesh, to link the country through fibre optic cable

Sajeeb boasts impressive academic credentials-schooled in St. Joseph's, Nainital, and at the Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu, he has a BSc in computer engineering from the University of Arlington, Texas, and a degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University. Awami League leaders whisper about how Sajeeb dislikes being fawned upon by party leaders and is openly uncomfortable with South Asia's full-contact politics of being hugged and garlanded in public. The lax attitude to punctuality also irritates him.

Sajeeb and Bangladeshi civil rights groups lobbied with US policy makers in Washington D.C. to ensure Bangladesh returned to democracy. The military is back in the barracks but secularism is a casualty. Under Sheikh Hasina, the 158 million Sunni-majority country is switching to an Islamic constitution, retaining Islam as state religion. Sheikh Hasina's policies contradict Sajeeb's vision of a secular nation. Writing on 'Stemming the rise of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh' in the Harvard International Review in November 2008, Sajeeb says the Awami League must implement certain changes to check Islamism if it hopes to secure long-lasting secularism and democracy. He wants Bangladesh to be the global leader for secular governance in a Muslim country.

Where he has been able to convince his mother is on the need for the Digital Bangladesh project that aims to link the country using fibre optic cables. The project which hopes to bring in an it revolution, usher in accountability, transparency and good governance has now become part of the ruling party's political agenda.

Tareque Rahman
Tareque Rahman
Leader to prince in exile
Months after a landslide victory in the 2001 elections swept Begum Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to power, she anointed her son Tareque Rahman as senior vice- chairperson. The 36-year-old college dropout quickly emerged as the power behind the throne. Like his father and party founder, General Ziaur Rahman, who ruled Bangladesh between 1975 and 1982, Tareque steered the party towards Islamic chauvinism. During the 2001 election, he convinced his mother to ally with the right-wing Islamist parties for a majority. Moving like an adroit chess player, he quietly nominated nearly a 100 young Turks, who rose from student politics, to run for the 2001 elections. Khaleda Zia conceded a third of the government's ministerial positions to Tareque's legion. A day after the election verdict, the party unleashed a wave of terror against opposition party workers and minorities. It became the subject of international human rights investigations.

Tareque's home, Hawa Bhaban, in Dhaka's diplomatic area, emerged as an alternative power centre. Political rivals termed it a centre of crime and corruption, and where a conspiracy to assassinate his mother's political rival, Sheikh Hasina, was hatched in 2004. The young vice-chairman attended only a few meetings at the party headquarters. Party leaders and ministers instead came to hold parleys at his home. Nobody dared to question a man described as Bangladesh's de facto political leader.

TAREQUE RAHMAN, 45
Senior Vice Chairman, BNP

Genealogy Son of ex-president Ziaur Rahman and ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia

Comeback kid Announced retirement from politics in September 2008. Unanimously elected BNP senior vicechairman in 2009.

No early return Charged for 2004 conspiracy to assassinate Sheikh Hasina. Accused of money laundering.

Then, a military-backed caretaker government took over Bangladesh in January 2007. Khaleda Zia, who months earlier had publicly denied she encouraged dynastic politics, was detained. Tareque was arrested for money laundering as well as graft and spent 18 months in prison in Dhaka. Members of his clique were either jailed or fled overseas. Tareque now lives in exile in the north London suburb of Edmonton where he went for treatment for his worsening physical condition. He suffered a broken spinal cord, reportedly caused by torture while in military detention. Despite the army opting for a back seat in the present government, the Zia scion is unlikely to return while Sheikh Hasina rules, for fear of persecution.

Despite the corruption taint, Tareque's popularity with bnp grassroots leaders and supporters is intact. Most political events in Dhaka and district towns sport three portraits: General Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tareque Rahman. Political scientist Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah says Bangladesh politics revolves around two families, which gave birth to two cults and two assassinated iconic leaders. The bnp suffered a crushing defeat in 2008, winning just 30 seats. The party has regrouped under Khaleda Zia but political observers say if her heir refuses to return, the party will disintegrate, an indication of the importance of dynastic politics in Bangladesh.

Nepal

Prakash Dahal
Prakash Dahal
Rebel to public servant
Nepal politics has been dominated for the last few years by Big P-Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, the fierce one, a top Maoist leader who led his party to power after a decade-long struggle. Now it has a Small P-Prakash Dahal, Prachanda's son. The son is now rising over the Himalayan nation, amid allegations of corruption and nepotism.

He is currently a member of the Newa state committee of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal, one of the 14 Maoist state committees. However, his influence over Prachanda is creating tensions within the Maoist party. Hardline Maoist leader Mohan Vaidya had come up with a document alleging a neo-feudal group has emerged within the party due to protection given by the party leadership to smugglers, illegal traders and the corrupt. Many of the allegations are against Prakash.

PRAKASH DAHAL, 29
Member, Newa state committee, UCPN

Genealogy Son of top Maoist leader Prachanda

Mystery trip In May, he accompanied his father to Thailand amid media speculation that they were discussing the political situation with Chinese and Indian intelligence officers

High life Has developed a taste for Blue Label whisky

Dream project Plans to climb Mount Everest and hoist the Maoist flag there

Prakash, 29, only son of Prachanda, was active in the party during the bloody struggle between 1996 and 2006 when a Maoist insurrection led to over 13,000 deaths. However, he rose to power when his father was appointed prime minister in 2008. He had to drop out of school in Kathmandu when he was in Class VII. During the 'People's War', the name the Maoists have given to their decade-long battle against the government, security forces were looking for students with the Dahal surname. He completed his schooling in Jalandhar in India. He later became a powerful member of the prime minister's office, taking charge of Prachanda's appointments and often accompanying him during his foreign trips. While accompanying his father to Kathmandu University in 2009, he engaged in a drunken binge in the university premises. He had reportedly coaxed party members, journalists and even traffic policemen to join him. This led to red faces in the party leadership, which issued a no-drinking policy among its cadre and even led to comparisons with the drunken fits of the unpopular erstwhile crown prince Paras. His association with top telecom industrialist Ajay Sumargi has also drawn flak in the party. Though not politically active, he is seen as someone who can influence his powerful politician father.


http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/political-heirs-in-south-asian-countries/1/146462.html


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[ALOCHONA] Bangladesh coup bid or conspiracy?



Bangladesh coup bid or conspiracy?



By Kuldip Nayar, Special to Gulf News

As the dust over an attempted coup or conspiracy in Bangladesh settles, it is confirmed that the Indian intelligence agencies warned army top brass in Dhaka about the conspiracy hatched against the Shaikh Hasina government. On this occasion, the Bangladesh army acted in time and nipped the defiance in the bud.

In 1975 too when Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujibur Rehman and 15 of his family members were killed by the army, Indian intelligence had warned about an attack on Shaikh Mujib. But then the top brass were themselves in the midst of coup and the army deliberately did not act. The result is known to all.

That the Bangladesh army is not interested in taking over the country was clear when it gave back power to the civil authority in 2008 and held free and fair elections which returned Shaikh Hasina with a three-fourths majority in parliament. When the army was backing the caretaker government and cleansing the stable, it found the top politicians of both Shaikh Hasina's Awami League and Khaleda Zia's Nationalist Bangladesh Party involved in corruption. Many in the army were worried that the revival of the political process would bring in its wake the same old graft. Yet the army preferred civil rule and bowed to the prerogative of the people to have their representatives in power.

Things are not what the electorate expected and the administration has been found wanting in many ways respects. Corruption and nepotism are back with a vengeance. Yet it is the people who have to fight against such evils. The army cannot do the job because this is the difference between democracy and dictatorship.

Disgruntled elements

"Instigated by some non-resident Bangladeshis, a band of fanatic retired and serving officers led a failed attempt to thwart the democratic system by creating anarchy in the army, banking on others' religious zeal," said the army statement, adding that "such heinous attempts are being foiled."

It is apparent that the coup was attempted by a few elements representing religious fanaticism and disgruntled army officers. The fundamentalists are unhappy because they have been firmly suppressed by the Hasina government which is liberal and secular. Yet there are other forces which are inimical to India and they resort to all kinds of methods to foul the atmosphere. That was also the case when Shaikh Mujib was killed. He too did not show any quarter to the extremists and the forces that were unhappy over the creation of Bangladesh.

Shaikh Hasina has regretted that the Islamists have penetrated the army. It is ominous because this is what has happened in Pakistan as well.

My information is that the coup leaders this time were helped by forces operating from India. The rump of United Liberation Front of Asom was there and so were the hostile Nagas. The Manipur insurgents were also part of the conspiracy. It is strange that while Bangladesh does not allow any anti-India forces to operate from its soil, as it used to happen in the past, India is lethargic and inactive.

For the larger picture, New Delhi must share the blame. It fails to have connectivity with Dhaka. Promises made in the fields of trade, power and business have remained unfulfilled. Shaikh Hasina has done so much unilaterally to foster good relations that there are many people in Bangladesh who are resentful. Yet bureaucrats in Delhi are not allowing the implementation of what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had signed with the Bangladesh prime minister in terms of trade, power and money. Bureaucrats are not anti-Bangladesh but they represent the red tape which retards progress of any plan or project.

I recall when Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan, Delhi made a five-year plan which would dovetail Dhaka's economic projects with those of India. It was an undertaking to develop the region as a whole. New Delhi was reminded often but there was little follow-up.

The failed coup is not only a warning but also an opportunity for the government in New Delhi. It must take some bold steps quickly to let the people disillusioned in Bangladesh with Shaikh Hasina's government know that India will go to any limit to help Bangladesh in its needs and, at the same time, foster closer relations with Dhaka.

Singh transferred a few tracts of land in Assam to Bangladesh, its rightful owner. He should bring the constitutional amendment in the next session of parliament to make what is de facto as de jure. The BJP and some elements in Assam are opposed to the transfer. But they must realise that this is the territory which belongs to Bangladesh and has stayed wrongly with India for some 40 years. One recurring complaint of Dhaka is that border police is cruel to any Bangladesh national who even strays into India by mistake. Television channels have shown recently how the border police was beating a boy mercilessly because he had crossed the border by mistake.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be well advised to visit Bangladesh where she is popular and where the expectation is that she would make amends for her absence from the Prime Minister's team that visited Dhaka a few weeks ago.

Kuldip Nayar is a former Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and a former Rajya Sabha member.

http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/bangladesh-coup-bid-or-conspiracy-1.972140
http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2012/01/28/129028



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RE: [mukto-mona] Re: Border Killings !!!



A journalist dug out the circumstances under which Felani was killed. See this link for a starter: 
 

Need not be a selective doubter when it comes to reports of BSF killing unarmed Bangladeshi girl, (or others) while at the same time professing to be "Mukto-Mona".

Accept qar's short brief as it is.

Mustafizur Rahman


To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
From: jnrsr53@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:40:40 -0800
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Border Killings !!!

 

 
The fact is I do not know what triggered the killing of the little girl, neither do you. I want to know more about it, before I pass my verdict on this unfortunate incident. That's why I expressed my skeptic views only. You are not saying much about it also.  I watched those videos. It's a very sad story, if it's true. But, emotional discussions will not bring a solution to our border issue. What you said is an outburst of your emotion, which may bring lots of applause, but no solution. I want a practical solution to our border situation, not a sentimental analysis.
 
The hard fact is - if you go across the border in India, especially West Bengal, and live there in the border areas for a few days, you will hear many horror stories about border infiltration and criminal activities. People I know tell me that - they secure their cows with chains and padlocks at night. Even then, they find that many of them are gone in the morning. This is due to lucrative cattle-trade market in Bangladesh. Varieties of such illegal trades are going on daily across the border. Indian authority, especially - West Bengal government, even put barbed-wire fences to stop it. My guess is - BSFs must be under tremendous pressure to stop these illegal trades also. By saying this - I am not condoning the killing of the little girl.
 
You said India is behaving like a big-brother. The very same complain I also hear from many Canadians and South Americans about USA; I also hear the same complain from Tibetans about China. That's the reality.
 
You said, "…even the Indian PM was unable to make any dent to very racist bureaucrats from India who wanted to punish "Muslim" Majority Bangladeshis for petty crime like border crossing."
 
Your statement above tells a lot about why India will not be able to build a trusted relationship with Bangladesh. You are unable to think beyond your religious label. Could you tell me how Indian bureaucrats get along just fine with "Muslim" majority Persian, Middle Eastern, and south eastern countries? It's people like you, who are in the way of building a trusted relationship with India. You have also questioned my patriotism, just like Mr. Mohiuddin Anwar, a Jamat/BNP supporter.
 
Jiten Roy
 

From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 12:51 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Border Killings !!!

 
No one should expect to get flowers for crossing borders. Having said that, no civilized nation shoots unarmed civilians. A young Bangladeshi girl from village is not a threat for India. That part should be acknowledged.

There are many Indian citizens who wants to have good relationship with Bangladesh and I have seen it in many occasions. There are many Pakistani citizens who want to have good relations with Bangladesh as well. However we have a large border with India and none with Pakistan. It has been made obvious even the Indian PM was unable to make any dent to very racist bureaucrats from India who wanted to punish "Muslim" Majority Bangladeshis for petty crime like border crossing. Life in India is not much better than Bangladesh and over centuries people crossed rivers to look for a living. Last two decades Bangladesh witnessed huge upward trend in quality of life. So today most people who need a job can get one in Bangladesh without crossing border. Historically people of Jolpaiguri had great relations with people of Panchagarch. People of Tripura had with Comilla. People of Assam had with Shylet. So there are many families close to border who have family members who live in India or Bangladesh. It makes me sad that, stupid bureaucrats from India do not show any understanding of this historical facts. 

India is not engaged in any type of war with BD. So why India send most BSF guards who were posted in Kashmir to guard border with Bangladesh? They don't trust Bangla speaking guards to guard the border with Bangladesh. So failure to pay "Bribe" can be fatal. Kashmir is in many ways an active war zone. Historically BD villagers have had excellent relations with people of Indian states (Like Tripura, West Bengal etc), so what could have been achieved with bamboo sticks, India uses bullets for that task!!

One does not have to be a Pakistani lover to question India's ideas in this case. In fact Bangladeshis in different times went to both Indians and Pakistanis with open arms offering friendship/brotherhood but were abused by both countries in different times. Any Bangladeshis who deny this "Plain truth" can be labeled as "Rajakars". During 71 Pakistanis did not spare farmers, small shop owners, innocent Hindus and today India does not show any verifiable willingness to correct their mistakes (Of killing unarmed civilians) for many years. Despite many assurances from top level, when it comes to Bangladesh, we are pretty much an "After thought" for these arrogant nations.

(Now a little self-criticism) Still I cannot put 100% blame on them for acting like it. Unlike any civilized nation on the face of the earth we are willing to sell our dignity to either Indians or Pakistanis in most cases. Some people cannot see any fault of Pakistan and the others cannot find a way to ask an honest questions to Indian authority when our unarmed civilians are murdered every month like a pigeon during pigeon hunting season. It is our own fault that, we are still acting like a boy who always needs protection from a "Mother country" and do not have guts to put a stop on this.

I do not like blind haters of India or Pakistan. So I took the time and asked around people from all neighbors of India. I did not expect any "Love" from Pakistanis for Indians BUT to my surprise almost all citizens I spoke with (From Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives) expressed their disapproval of India for trying to play "Big brother" in this region. Most people of Bangladesh are not automatically anti_Indians but very stupid Indian policies towards Bangladesh FORCED them to act like anti-Indians.

The level of discrimination is so obvious and huge that, it will take many posts to list them. Yesterday I read West Bengal PM "Didi Momota" (She is known as didi to most of her followers) did not approve of enclave exchanges with Bangladesh. "Momotabihin momota" is harsher than cruel Delhi bureaucrats when it comes to Bangladesh. Hopeless idiots among us still struggles to find a way to lend their supports to such people who want to steal our dignity from us!!

Like most Bangladeshis I will always have some extra affection for all Bangla speaking people all over the world. Saurov Ganguly will always have some extra support for being a Bangali, Still I hope as a group we learn have some decency and respect for our own people for a change. Some of the posts from blind Pakistani lovers and blind India lovers makes me sick!!

We owe it to hundreds of thousands of "Shaheeds" who laid their lives to free us from regional masters. It would be very ungrateful of us if we fail to put our country first over our biases on local politics. it is important that we start acting like Bangladeshis for a change? Other wise what is the point of having a free country????

I feel Indian lost many opportunities to be friendly with Bangladesh and will review it's failed policies and take necessary measure to fix it before it is too late.

Shalom!!


-----Original Message-----
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2012 8:28 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Border Killings !!!

 

The function of a border guard is to protect the border from illegal intrusion. Anything can happen when someone tries to cross the border illegally. What do you expect from a BSF guard when you try to cross the border illegally – a bouquet of flowers? You already mentioned that Indian authority has punished those killers. What else do you want from them now?
 
Are you infected by the virus called "India-paranoia?" Pakistani regime used to spread this virus among the people. It is sad to see that - you still possess it.
 
Have you heard the news that Pakistan has already declared favorite-nation-status to India? Now, wide range of Pakistani goods will be able to flow to India. Bangladesh needs to maintain good relationship with India also to access their large consumer market. Progress and prosperity does not come from empty-talks and vacuous-pride only. You need very low-IQ people to buy your arguments.
 
You have initiated your reply with the sentence "Like all minorities of a special group you are unsuccessfully trying to defend kllling/beating by Hayena BSF Force." You meant all Hindus defend border killings by BSF. Do you understand that this is a stereotypical statement of a communal person?
 
Jiten Roy

 
Jiten Roy,
 
Like all minorities of a special group you are unsuccessfully trying to defend  kllling/beating by Hayena BSF Force. Are you a citizen of India or Bangladesh ?
Indian BSF aithorities already investigated and punished the killers of the unfortunatomes to blaming the BSFe Bangladesh girls. It has been a proven crime againsting  humanity.
You behaving like Mr. Manik of Awami League who is more pro-Indian than the Indians.
Yes you are a doubter when it comes to blaming the Indians.
Just ask yourself whether such behavior of a Force of a civilized democratic nation acceptable, you will get an an answer.
All those we see aren't doctored video/photo created by special interest group rather plain tuth and real picture as blamed by diehard BSF supporteres like Mr. Manik.
Be fearless to condemn animalistic behavior of any armed force.
Thanks again.
 
 

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Border Killings !!!
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:05:48 -0800 (PST)

 
I am a doubter, I admit; I doubt everything. So, I think that recent video of border-beating and the picture of the dead well-dressed little girl at the Bangladesh-India border need some scrutiny. How did she get killed? Did somebody hung her dead body at the fence for pictures? If not, why she wanted to cross the border. Are they part of an organized black-market ring? Or, were they innocent victims of a setup by some vested interest groups for obtaining political talking-points? How did they acquire those images if these incidents occurred on the other side of the border? Anybody knows?
 
If these incidents were not due to a border-intrusion by BSF, I agree with you on the point that - whatever happens at the border involving illegal border crossings should have no bearing on the relationship between the two neighboring countries. 
 
Jiten Roy
 

 
Dear India Haters and Awami League Lovers,
 
Any Killing is wrong and prohibited by Universal Declaration of Human Rights, either as punishment or with any intention. Mexican border killings as per police claim are related to drug and violence related to drug. Please see the references of Border Killings in Bangladesh and Mexico below:
 
Please cool down or drink a little bit more Koolaid to keep you calm and quiet to use your Allah/God/Creator  given or endowed quality, "reason and conscience" or "Ashraful Makhlukat'  as embodied in the Declaration of Universal Human Rights of United Nations Article 1. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a1 ;   , ratified by 195+ sovereign countries of the world, this is the sole quality which differentiate us from living animals- only animals do not use "reason and conscious" living human should, if he does not then he degrades himself to animals, criminals, mentally disabled or what not. So please use your  "reason and conscious" in your all activities, thinking, arguments, talking, writing, emails etc. etc.

Article 1.

  • All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
So many killings happen in Mexican Border but friendship between Mexico and USA has never been to breaking point, The Mexicans, natural resources rich , but  mostly poor because of their bad governments, poor Mexicans cross the border illegally knowing full well that it is illegal and border police may kill most of the time if attempt goes wrong any time. Like our Bangladesh , we are very poor for our bad and corrupted governments. I know the best brain surgeon, it was in Readers' Digest Article,  of Johns Hopkins crossed the border 7 times while he was a teen ager, police put him back 6 times because he surrendered and was  arrested, he used to pick  ripe red tomatoes as a farm worker boy, went to school did very well and became a brain surgeon, now he says pick up red tomato like brain tumour from his patients' brains;  he spends at least 25% of his time and money volunteering and helping other poor kids irrespective of ethnicities to go to school and for their education
Regards.
Yours sincerely,
Golam F. Akhter, Bangladesh-USA Human Rights Coalition Inc.
 
Reference 1. Bangladesh Border Killings:    http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94399 ;
 
"....................Some 347 Bangladeshis and 164 Indians have been killed by Indian forces since 2006, when the Indian government built the wall, according to BSF................................."


Migrant deaths along the Mexico–U.S. border occur hundreds of times a year because of those attempting to cross into the United States from Mexicoillegally.[1] The number of deaths has steadily increased since the mid-1990s with exposure (including heat strokedehydration, and hypothermia) being the leading cause.[2]
According to the United States Border Patrol, 1,954 people died crossing the U.S–Mexico border between the years 1998-2004.[3] In the fiscal year ending September 29, 2004, 460 migrants died crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.[4] In 2005, more than 500 died across the entire U.S.-Mexico border.[5] The number of yearly border crossing deaths has doubled since 1995.[6] In 2009, 417 deaths were reported across the border.[7] Yet the statistics cited by scholars and the media are only the number of known deaths and do not include those who have never been found, underestimating the actual number of migrants that have died attempting unauthorized border crossings.[8]
 
++========================================
 


On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 5:54 PM, SAIF Davdas <islam1234@msn.com> wrote:
Mohiuddin Saheb> Don't worry, pretty soon your Ler-Kay-Lengay-Hindustan Netri
will be in Power. She will put the Indian Maalaaoons in their rightful place and establish
your dream of United Pakistan. I propose a new name for the United Pakistan-RAZAAKARISTAN!  
That way you guys can defend your action by saying, see we did not want Pakistan!
 
SaifDevdas
islam1234@msn.com
 
From: mohiuddin@netzero.net
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:13:03 +0000
To: man1k195709@yahoo.com; mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com; dahuk@yahoogroups.com; chottala@yahoogroups.com; nazrulic@gmail.com; srbanunz@gmail.com; dahuk@yahoogroups.com
CC: captchowdhury@yahoo.ca; farid2002hossain@hotmail.com; farida_majid@hotmail.com; farahmina@gmail.com; dina30_khan@yahoo.com; abid.bahar@gmail.com; obaidul.quader@gmail.com; liaquat707@gmail.com; guhasb@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Fw: Border Killings !!!
Mr. Manik,
Advisor of Awami League,
 
According to the latest statement from Mr. Ashraf, Secretery Of Awami League, such BSF brutality will continue and we have to live with this tragedy for long time.
Why can't we prevent BSF brutality?
What's the deal ?
Are we weak to defend our border population since our BDR crippled ?
Why BSF can't do similar brutalities against Pakistani border people ?
Can't we fight back ?

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Muhammad Ali <manik195709@yahoo.com>
To: undisclosed recipients: ;
Subject: Fw: Border Killings !!!
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:46:25 -0800 (PST)



 
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: sharafat majumdar <uchitkotha72@hotmail.com>
To: mohiuddin@netzero.net
Cc: manik195709@yahoo.com; desh_bondhu@ymail.com; syed.aslam3@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 5:34 PM
Subject: Border Killings !!!

Mr. Anwar,

BSF killed 350 bangladeshis when BNP was in power (2001-2006). Did you protest that time ? Where was your big mouth that time ? Your guru Nizami and Mujahidi were ministers during that time !!!! So, stop your HUKKA HUA with border killing . BSF is killing bangladeshis but you are killing English language in your mails. Try to be literate in this forum .

Sharafat Majumder.




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