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Thursday, May 3, 2012

[ALOCHONA] Osama Bin Laden documents released



Osama Bin Laden documents released

A boy holds a poster of Osama Bin Laden in Quetta, Pakistan, on 2 May 2012 Bin Laden was killed by US forces at his Pakistan hideout in May 2011

Newly released papers from Osama Bin Laden's hideout reveal a frustrated al-Qaeda leader struggling to control an unruly network, the US military says.

The documents seized during the raid on the Abbottabad compound were posted online by the research wing of the US military academy, West Point.

The papers show he was unhappy with affiliates' attacks on fellow Muslims, urging them to target the US instead.

Seventeen documents were released from a cache of more than 6,000.

The 175-page cache was posted online by the US Military Academy's Combating Terrorism Center - in the week marking a year since Bin Laden's death.

'Vile mistakes'

The papers date from September 2006 to April 2011 and include letters from other al-Qaeda leaders.

Some documents suggest that the group had a strained relationship with Iran.

Analysis

This confirms what a lot of people thought: that at the time of his death a year ago, Osama Bin Laden was no longer in operational control of al-Qaeda.

These 17 documents have been released to an academic institution that is a part of the US military. So they have a vested interest in painting Bin Laden as a loser rather than as a force to be reckoned with.

But I think this underestimates just how powerful a symbolic figure he was to many people because he was on the run from the US for so long. There is no question that al-Qaeda is much less dangerous than it was 10 years ago, but it would be foolish to say they have launched their last attack.

There are still grievances, and there are still causes. But what we have really seen is the fragmenting of al-Qaeda into smaller, more regional operatives.

Letters reveal al-Qaeda's exasperation with the way Tehran handled the release of detainees, including members of Bin Laden's family, expressing annoyance that the Iranians "do not wish to appear to be negotiating with us or responding to our pressures".

Meanwhile, there is no explicit reference to any institutional support from Pakistan, where the al-Qaeda leader lived for nine years.

The papers make mention of "trusted Pakistani brothers", but one reference suggests Bin Laden was wary of Pakistani intelligence.

He gave instructions to family members travelling to Pakistan to make sure they were not followed - in case the local intelligence chief trailed them to his location.

In some papers, Bin Laden and his inner circle emphasised that attacks on the US would ultimately weaken other enemies.

"Even though we have the chance to attack the British, we should not waste our effort to do so but concentrate on defeating America, which will lead to defeating the others," one letter said.

The documents also shed light on Bin Laden's concerns that Muslims were being alienated by the ideology of jihad.

In a letter from 2010, Bin Laden wrote of "starting a new phase to correct [the mistakes] we made".

"Start Quote

In the event that mistakes involuntarily occur and non-combatants die as a result, apologies and explanations should follow," Bin Laden wrote in 2010, sounding for all the world like a Nato commander"

End Quote

"In doing so, we shall reclaim, God willing, the trust of a large segment of those who lost their trust in the jihadis," he wrote.

In its executive summary on the documents, the US military says they reveal Bin Laden's frustration with affiliated organisations and his powerlessness to control their actions, including:

  • The al-Qaeda leader was advised by his California-born media adviser Adam Gadahn to distance his network from al-Qaeda in Iraq because of the latter's perceived failures
  • His lieutenants threatened to take measures against the leadership of the Pakistani Taliban for their "vile mistakes", including indiscriminate attacks on Muslims
  • Bin Laden wrote a strongly worded letter to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula urging them to focus on attacking the US, instead of the Yemeni government or security forces
  • Bin Laden saw little to gain from a pledge of allegiance to al-Qaeda from the Somali radical insurgent group al-Shabab, which he viewed as poorly organised

The letters reveal that Bin Laden was also sceptical of so-called lone wolf missions by homegrown jihadists.

He urged his associates "not to send a single brother on a suicide operation; they should send at least two".

He added that in cases when only one militant undertook an operation the "percentage of success was low due to psychological factors that affect the [designated] brother in such a situation".

"Start Quote

They are not to target visits by Biden... Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the US into a crisis"

End Quote Osama Bin Laden

Other papers suggest Bin Laden ordered his militants to look out for opportunities to assassinate President Obama or David Petraeus during any of their visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mr Petraeus, now CIA director, formerly commanded international forces in Afghanistan.

But Bin Laden warned them not to bother targeting Vice-President Joe Biden because "Biden is totally unprepared for that post [of president], which will lead the US into a crisis."

In a letter from April 2011, the al-Qaeda leader discusses the Arab Spring, calling it a "formidable event" in the history of Muslims and expressing hope they can influence events through media outreach and "guidance".

The correspondence suggests that Bin Laden's inner circle closely monitored US news media.

Al-Qaeda media adviser Adam Gadahn described ABC News as "all right, actually it could be one of the best channels as far as we are concerned", but he said Fox News "falls into the abyss" and "lacks neutrality".

He also felt al-Qaeda had not been given credit for America's economic downturn, according to documents from 2010.

"All the political talk in America is about the economy, forgetting or ignoring the war and its role in weakening the economy," wrote Mr Gadahn.Earlier this week, White House counter-terrorism chief John Brennan said Bin Laden's papers reinforced the view that the US was safer without him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17941778



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[ALOCHONA] BOOK REVIEW : ULFA & The Insurgency in Assam



BOOK REVIEW : ULFA & The Insurgency in Assam 

Professor Dilara Chowdhury, PhD
Adorn Publications, 
Dhaka, 2012, pps.304
Price: Taka 750, ISBN-978-984-20-0292-2

 
The book under review is an interesting book and it's about the politics and history of India's troubled Northeast region called Seven Sisters consisting of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal provinces, most of which, as discerned from the book, are infested with numerous insurgencies waged by the dissatisfied ethnic groups, spread over the entire region, against the Indian State. These insurgencies, as mentioned by the author, are rooted in socio-economic deprivations of the minority groups, fight for the preservation of their culture/identity, and in many case their outright demands for self-determination. 

Although not explicit but it is evidenced that despite adoption of liberal nationalism as the basis of Indian nationhood, Indian state is still besieged with its nation-building problems. One of the major security concerns of New Delhi is, thus, emanates from the activities of these insurgent groups. Bangladesh's proximity to this region, in this context, especially having common borders with Assam, Tripura and Manipur, makes its policies towards New Delhi, a very important component in New Delhi's security calculations.

The book basically is about United Liberation Front of Assom (ULFA), and the largest and quite powerful indigenous insurgency outfit, which has been fighting for an independent Assam since 7 April 1979. Their  activities are, however, not confined within Assam but spill over the borders to neighbouring states like Bangladesh, in terms of having sanctuary/shelter, and other activities, and such developments unfortunately draws Dhaka also into the fray. For these very reasons, the author writes in the introduction that the book is specifically meant for the Bangladeshi people most of whom (except the political circles and the elites) have been quite unaware of ULFA's existence and its objectives.

Chapter one begins with the dramatic event of Mr. Anup Chetia, Secretary General of ULFA, being arrested from a residential area of Dhaka by Bangladeshi law-enforcing agencies in 1998. Since his arrest up to his conviction for violating Bangladeshi laws, Anup Chetia, held in Bangladeshi jail, has been seeking political asylum while Indian authority wants Bangladesh to extradite him to New Delhi. The author is right about the fact that Bangladeshis in general came to know about ULFA and its activities due to Anup Chetia incident. He also analyzes how this powerful insurgency outfit split into two factions into pro-negotiation and anti-negotiation with regard to its dealings with New Delhi following subsequent arrests of its top-ranking leaders excepting its military commander Paresh Barua in 2009, making the outfit's future uncertain. The author, however, remains silent and does not discuss Dhaka's role in this far-reaching development.

Author's contributions in chapters two and three are noteworthy. Chapter two is an in depth study of Assam's history beginning with region's mythology, ancient kingdoms, British annexation of Assam to how and when Assam was made a part of Indian Union as the British withdrew from the subcontinent in 1947. A clear picture emerges about a region, which is rich in mineral resources with an array of indigenous inhabitants but underdeveloped and poorly managed than the rest of British India, and how this land of plenty attracted outsiders, most whom were from Bengal. Assamese i.e. the indigenous groups' first ever agitation in independent India was directed towards the 'foreigners' along with their demands for autonomy. ULFA, which wants an independent state of Assam, has been, in that context, a logical development, even after states were reorganized in the area, and this time due to New Delhi's 'negligence' and  'exploitation.'

In chapter three, readers get a detailed and informative picture about ULFA's origin, structure, objectives, strategies, current difficulties it faces and modus vevendi for procuring arms. The sensational ten trucks cache of arms and ammunitions captured by Bangladeshi police in 2004, alleged to be meant for ULFA in Assam was discussed in this chapter that would be of immense interest of Bangladeshis. The author touches upon the fact that the activities of such insurgent groups who can easily cross over to their adjoining states bedevil inter-state relations. Further analysis of an important matter like capturing of ten trucks arms cache would have certainly enhanced the content of the book.

In the epilogue, the author has given a stunning account and typologies of insurgent groups of the past and present operating across the globe. Those who are interested in studying insurgency, why is it adopted and how is it conducted, would find it very useful. It is interesting to note that   success or failure of every insurgency, most of the time, depends on outside help. The book ends with an impressive collection of documents, which serious students of politics and international relations will, again, find useful.

Mr. Mahfuz Ullah has done a remarkable job in his attempts to make ourselves familiarize with one of the insurgent groups, operating in Northeast India, like ULFA and its activities. The book, however, is high on narrative but a little short of in depth analysis. On the whole, I highly recommend the book to students of Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, academia as well as to those who are interested in the politics of Northeast India and its impact on Dhaka. It is certainly a most welcome addition in the literature of politics and history of South Asia.

http://www.weeklyholiday.net/Homepage/Pages/UserHome.aspx?ID=10&date=0#Tid=2445

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[ALOCHONA] Asif Kept Standing, Dr Kamal taken aback by court



Asif Kept Standing, Dr Kamal taken aback by court

The High Court cannot keep a respondent to a writ petition standing before it because such a person is not a contemner, eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain told an HC bench yesterday.

Kamal made the observation before the bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim that had kept Dhaka University professor Asif Nazrul standing during a writ hearing on April 15.

Prof Asif faces charges of making "provocative comments" on who would come to power next.

"I have not seen in my 52 years of practice that a court keeps the respondents of a writ petition standing before it," said Kamal, chief counsel of Asif, while placing arguments before the bench hearing a rule on his client.

Justice Manik told Kamal Hossain that there had been allegations against Asif.

"If you say that, then you have disqualified yourself from hearing this matter, because you have already made up your mind," responded Kamal, a barrister.

Justice Manik said the bench would hear the rule with an open mind, saying the bench had already requested some eminent lawyers to place their opinions as amici curiae (friends of court) on limits of freedom of expression.

But Dr Kamal said the defence would approach the chief justice for transferring the case against Asif Nazrul to another bench if the current bench further keeps his client standing.

The bench fixed May 24 for hearing the rule and asked Asif Nazrul to appear before it on that day.

Asif yesterday went to the court, but he did not enter the courtroom during the hearing.

On March 15, the HC issued the rule on the government and Asif following a writ petition by Nawsher Ali Mollah, a Supreme Court lawyer.

The court in its rule asked them to explain why the government should not be directed to file a sedition case against Asif for making a "provocative statement" about the next government.

The petitioner claimed that Asif had commented at a talk show on Banglavision on March 12 that if the prime minister and the opposition leader were asked who would next come to power, they would perhaps say that a third power would.

During a hearing on the matter on April 15, Rokanuddin Mahmud, another counsel for Asif, told the HC that the quotation made by Nawsher Ali in the petition was not an accurate reproduction of what Asif Nazrul had said at the talk show.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=232688




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[ALOCHONA] The great game comes to Bangladesh



The great game comes to Bangladesh

May 3, 2012

M K Bhadrakumar

Hillary Clinton visit to Dhaka intrigues Bangladeshi observers. But the most interesting thing here is the strategic coordination that takes place between Washington and New Delhi in relation to Bangladesh.

The two-day weekend visit by Hillary Clinton to Bangladesh underscores an intensification of the United States' regional policy in South Asia and it cannot but be seen as a related process to the 'pivot' to Asia in the American foreign and security policies. Clinton's visit holds significance across several overlapping templates – US-Bangladesh bilateral ties, India-Bangladesh relations, regional security, energy security and the US' strategies in South Asia as a whole.

The US state department announcement said that whilst in Dhaka, Clinton proposed to "review robust US-Bangladesh cooperation across the full range of political, economic, and security matters." The statement gives a deceptive air of 'routineness' to the visit. But in actuality, the visit is a rare event – last visit of a US secretary of state was by George Schultz – and indeed Bangladeshi observers are intrigued why such a high-flyer personality like Clinton, who is about to lay down office and apparently contemplating quitting public life altogether, should bother to land in Dhaka in the twilight zone of her distinguished run as America's top diplomat – and, that too, with hardly any prior notice.

Some imaginative Bangladeshi wits have scratched the bottom of the barrel and come up with the queer thesis that Clinton decided to come to express solidarity with Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus who used to head the micro-financing institution known as Grammen Bank and was summarily eased out from that position by the leadership in Dhaka.

In fact, to outside observers, it all but seemed that the US-Bangladeshi ties became a bit too unnecessarily testy when Dhaka chose to ignore the US pressure at the highest level to give an honorable exit to Yunus. Suffice to say, Dhaka wears a somewhat dazed look that Clinton is dropping by, albeit over a weekend.

Bangladesh is by no means smitten with 'anti-Americanism' and the elites have a healthy appreciation that a close partnership with the US can potentially unlock the door that leads to the country's graduation as a middle-income country in a conceivable future. The trade with the US accounts for 40 percent of all of Bangladesh's exports. And if Washington shows the generosity to do away with the tariff barrier on garments, Bangladesh's exports will zoom. Market access is all the Dhaka needs, being a competitive performer. Then, of course, Bangladeshi elites know the scale of the US's influence over the international financial institutions and Dhaka has the brainpower and the absorption capacity to utilize multilateral funding to accelerate its economic development. All that is needed is a helping word or two from Washington with the World Bank or the IMF.

However, it is not entirely correct to say that US has abruptly changed course and set its eyes on Dhaka. A momentum has been building up lately. The first-ever security talks between Bangladesh and the US were held in Dhaka on April 19 focusing on security challenges facing the two countries. The US press readouts on the talks said, "This inaugural Dialogue on Security Issues highlights the robust engagement between the United States and Bangladesh as well as out growing defence relationship." They added that Washington expected the Security Dialogue to broaden and strengthen bilateral cooperation on a wide range of political-military issues, and enhance cooperation in peacekeeping, joint military exercises and exchanges, counterterrorism, and security cooperation. "The positive and substantial exchanges of the dialogue reflect the breadth, depth, and strength of the bilateral defense relationship, as well as our shared commitment to peace and prosperity in the region."

The Security Dialogue was not a flash in the pan, either. There has been a steady stream of senior US officials to Dhaka, the last being the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman in April. Andrew Shapiro, US assistant secretary in the bureau of political-military affairs, who led the American side at the Security Dialogue in Dhaka, later said:

"Indeed, over the past decade, the bilateral defence relationship… has become one of the most robust in South Asia. Bangladesh is a key player in maintaining security in the Bay of Bengal. They are an active partner in regional counterterrorism efforts… Our cooperation with Bangladesh is a prime example of how US security assistance can play a critically important role in our diplomatic engagement.

"Bangladesh is also working through a military modernization plan, which includes looking to partners for affordable defense systems...  This modernization effort provides an opportunity for us to expand our security cooperation, especially through our Excess Defense Articles program, which makes U.S. equipment that is surplus to our requirements available to our partners… Additionally, we provide assistance to support Bangladesh's peacekeeping efforts… And through our training initiatives and exchanges we are helping professionalize its national military forces… In short, our security assistance is playing a critically important role for… the national security of the United States."

US-India axis

One curious feature of the US-Bangladesh exchanges is that almost all US officials are making it a point to come to Dhaka via New Delhi or to make their return journey to Washington via New Delhi. Evidently, it is not a mere matter of logistics. The pattern shows an appreciable degree of strategic coordination taking place between Washington and New Delhi in relation to Bangladesh. It could be even greater than the intensity and transparency of the US-India coordinated strategy toward Myanmar. The 'robustness' of the US-Bangladesh relations runs parallel to an unprecedented upward curve in the trajectory of the India-Bangladesh relationship, which has been lackluster in the recent decades.

Quite obviously, the US policies toward Myanmar and Bangladesh are inter-connected and, in turn, they emanate out of Washington's 'containment' strategy toward China. Clinton's visit to Dhaka follows her recent trip to Myanmar – and from Dhaka she is proceeding to India. The state secretary's South Asian jaunt is also sandwiched between the meeting of the US-China strategic dialogue forum in Beijing this week and the forthcoming session of the US-India strategic dialogue in Washington next month. Clinton co-chairs both these forums.

Interestingly, there are reports that Washington is seeking a similar strategic dialogue forum also with Bangladesh. It is strongly hinted that during Clinton's visit to Dhaka, a joint document may be finalized titled 'Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue.' A senior Bangladeshi foreign ministry official has been quoted as saying, "Both countries feel that there should be a structured umbrella forum under which the two countries will hold regular dialogue on a full range of bilateral issues like political, economic and security issues."

Of course, the US regional policy gains by showcasing a robust relationship with a moderate Muslim majority country like Bangladesh. But from the US perspective, geopolitics and energy appear to be the compelling themes of Clinton's visit. Simply put, Bangladesh's strategic location enhances its importance for the US to try and bring Bangladesh into the ambit of the US-India axis, which has taken shape in the region. (Myanmar and Sri Lanka become two other similar 'target' countries for the coordinated US-Indian regional strategy.)

Unsurprisingly, India is content with taking a back seat as a junior partner (given the sensitivities of its small neighbors) and is letting the US take the lead role in advancing their regional strategy. It is, admittedly, an ambitious project, as it is predicated on a dramatic improvement in the climate of mutual trust among the countries of the region – and in their ties vis-à-vis India – and, more important, on their willingness to serve as surrogates in the US' containment' strategy toward China. Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, for instance, have dynamic cooperative relationships with China, which are beneficial for them in every way, including as a counterweight to the perceived Indian 'hegemony' in the region. Suffice to say, Clinton's visit to Dhaka augurs the arrival of the great game in the Bay of Bengal, which has otherwise been lurking so far in and around the Malacca Strait.  

However, for a superpower, what is geopolitics without business opportunities? To be sure, a stunning new development has been the resolution of the longstanding maritime dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar following the verdict given by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on March 14. The tribunal has awarded 111, 000 square kilometers of exclusive economic zone in the Bay of Bengal (roughly the same size as Bangladesh landmass), which gives it the sovereign right over all resources currently available there for exploitation and all resources that may be discovered in the territorial sea around St. Martin's Island. Interestingly, it was the strong likelihood of newly accessible gas reserves in the Bay of Bengal that motivated Bangladesh and Myanmar to pursue a solution in the international court. There are estimates of various types of mineral deposits in the region as well, including cobalt, manganese, copper, nickel and sulfite.

Moreover, the tribunal's award also strengthens Bangladesh's case in its maritime dispute with India on the western side of the Bay of Bengal where India has been insisting on the principle of equidistance instead of equality in demarcating the maritime boundary. (A verdict by the international court is expected in 2014.)

 

Without doubt, a specific objective of Clinton's visit is something that that Washington has been pressing for, namely, the conclusion of a Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement [TICFA]. After some tough negotiations, the document is almost ready for signature. There is compelling reason for Clinton to push for the signing of the TICFA and it could even be the leitmotif of the extraordinary move that Washington made by scheduling a state-secretary level visit to Dhaka at this juncture.

Plainly put, ConocoPhilips is currently exploring gas and oil reserves in two offshore blocks in the Bay of Bengal. With the settlement of Bangladesh's maritime boundary with Myanmar, the US-based oil company proposes to secure rights for exploring another six blocks in the Bay of Bengal. Clinton is hastening to wrap up the mega energy deal ahead of any Chinese offer even as Bangladesh proposes to 're-block' the Bay of Bengal in terms of the verdict by the international court.

However, it is too early to say that the US-India axis would succeed in blocking China out of the Bay of Bengal. The mystique of the great game is that it is a many-splendored thing. Countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar (or Sri Lanka and Maldives) are also aware of the strategic space that is available to them to safeguard their vital interests in the multi-polar world.

http://indrus.in/articles/2012/05/03/the_great_game_comes_to_bangladesh_15667.html



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[ALOCHONA] RE: Child Abuse under Islamic cover : Fire of hell is hotter .......



          Let us think deeply about the future of our citizenry and BAN  political madrassahs that are there only to indoctrinate economically deprived underclass..  Only those certified Madrassahs will be allowed where top quality religious education is seriously pursued. All other countries and religions have religious schools where future priests study for a lifetime dedicated to the service of God.  Why can't we have something like that?

            Can we organize a protest march against Madrassah cruelty?

Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 18:56:36 -0400
Subject: Child Abuse under Islamic cover : Fire of hell is hotter .......
From: syed.aslam3@gmail.com
To: khabor@yahoogroups.com; notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com; chottala@yahoogroups.com

Madrasa teacher  Jesmin Akhter demonstrates lesson of hell to 14 girls

Thursday, May 3, 2012           
Front Page

Fire of hell is hotter

Madrasa teacher demonstrates lesson of hell to 14 girls


The hot spatula mark on a girl's leg inflicted by her madrasa teacher to give her a bit of experience of the hell for not offering prayers regularly. 14 girls were made victim of this brutal idea. Photo: Courtesy ATN BanglaStaff Correspondent

A teacher of a girls' madrasa on Tuesday seared legs of 14 students with a hot spatula in her punitive attempt to make them feel the "agony of fire in hell".

The girls, aged between eight and 12, underwent the hellish experience as they were "irregular" in their prayers. They are students of Talimul Quran Mahila Madrasa at Namashyampur in the capital's Kadamtali area.

The victims received treatment at local clinics for the injuries on their left legs.

Teacher Jesmin Akhter went into hiding after father of a victim had filed a case, said Sub-inspector Shaker Mohammad Jubair of Kadamtali police.

Abdul Jalil, father of victim Jannatul Ferdous, 8, told The Daily Star that after a 10-day holiday the madrasa reopened on Tuesday and his daughter attended the class at 8:00am.

Informed by another guardian, he rushed to the institution around 1:30pm and met a gathering of protesting locals.

Jalil quoting his daughter said Jesmin inflicted burns on the 14 students at around 8:30am for not being "regular" in offering their prayers during the vacation.

During her act of "punishment" Jesmin was quoted as asking the victims if they knew the severity of the fire in hell. If they didn't say their prayers regularly, they would experience such torment in hell, she added.

Jalil said the teacher kept her spatula on a burning gas oven adjacent to the classroom and each time burned the legs of three students.

The madrasa is housed on the first floor of a two storey building. Of the four rooms in the flat, the teacher lives in one room with her family while one room is used as the office and the rest for classes. Students attend their classes here sitting on the floor.

Jesmin also forced the wounded students to continue with the classes untill 1:15pm when mother of a student went to the madrasa with meal for her daughter, police said.

Agitating locals immediately besieged the madrasa, but police intervened and brought the situation under control, said SI Jubair.

Neither guardians nor the police could confirm immediately whether the madrasa is approved by the government.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=232543




Related:

http://www.bangladeshnews24.com/jugantor/2012/05/03/36880.htm 










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[mukto-mona] RE: Child Abuse under Islamic cover : Fire of hell is hotter .......



          Let us think deeply about the future of our citizenry and BAN  political madrassahs that are there only to indoctrinate economically deprived underclass..  Only those certified Madrassahs will be allowed where top quality religious education is seriously pursued. All other countries and religions have religious schools where future priests study for a lifetime dedicated to the service of God.  Why can't we have something like that?

            Can we organize a protest march against Madrassah cruelty?

Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 18:56:36 -0400
Subject: Child Abuse under Islamic cover : Fire of hell is hotter .......
From: syed.aslam3@gmail.com
To: khabor@yahoogroups.com; notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com; chottala@yahoogroups.com

Madrasa teacher  Jesmin Akhter demonstrates lesson of hell to 14 girls

Thursday, May 3, 2012           
Front Page

Fire of hell is hotter

Madrasa teacher demonstrates lesson of hell to 14 girls


The hot spatula mark on a girl's leg inflicted by her madrasa teacher to give her a bit of experience of the hell for not offering prayers regularly. 14 girls were made victim of this brutal idea. Photo: Courtesy ATN BanglaStaff Correspondent

A teacher of a girls' madrasa on Tuesday seared legs of 14 students with a hot spatula in her punitive attempt to make them feel the "agony of fire in hell".

The girls, aged between eight and 12, underwent the hellish experience as they were "irregular" in their prayers. They are students of Talimul Quran Mahila Madrasa at Namashyampur in the capital's Kadamtali area.

The victims received treatment at local clinics for the injuries on their left legs.

Teacher Jesmin Akhter went into hiding after father of a victim had filed a case, said Sub-inspector Shaker Mohammad Jubair of Kadamtali police.

Abdul Jalil, father of victim Jannatul Ferdous, 8, told The Daily Star that after a 10-day holiday the madrasa reopened on Tuesday and his daughter attended the class at 8:00am.

Informed by another guardian, he rushed to the institution around 1:30pm and met a gathering of protesting locals.

Jalil quoting his daughter said Jesmin inflicted burns on the 14 students at around 8:30am for not being "regular" in offering their prayers during the vacation.

During her act of "punishment" Jesmin was quoted as asking the victims if they knew the severity of the fire in hell. If they didn't say their prayers regularly, they would experience such torment in hell, she added.

Jalil said the teacher kept her spatula on a burning gas oven adjacent to the classroom and each time burned the legs of three students.

The madrasa is housed on the first floor of a two storey building. Of the four rooms in the flat, the teacher lives in one room with her family while one room is used as the office and the rest for classes. Students attend their classes here sitting on the floor.

Jesmin also forced the wounded students to continue with the classes untill 1:15pm when mother of a student went to the madrasa with meal for her daughter, police said.

Agitating locals immediately besieged the madrasa, but police intervened and brought the situation under control, said SI Jubair.

Neither guardians nor the police could confirm immediately whether the madrasa is approved by the government.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=232543




Related:

http://www.bangladeshnews24.com/jugantor/2012/05/03/36880.htm 










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Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

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               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190




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[ALOCHONA] THIS BUTCHER SHOULD BE PUNISHED EXEMPLARY

Dear All,
This is not the last evidence in Mirpur. We got "Enemy Free Mirpur" on January 30, 1972.
  




Thank you,
Bolon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


[ALOCHONA] 2001-2006: BNP-Jamat Misrule



2001-2006 : BNP-Jamat Misrule
 
The five year-rule of the BNP-Jamaat (2001-2006) was featured by rigged elections, tyranny and repression of opposition activists. It was followed by rise of extremist terrorism in the name of Islam that was overtly sponsored by the State. Terrorist organizations having direct link with Al-Quaeda and other Pakistani and Afghan militants such as Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami (HUJI); Jagroto Muslim Janota Bangladesh (JMJB) so on and so forth began to rule the country as a parallel force. They publicly tortured and killed hundreds of people, most of whom were opposition political activists.
 
The BNP-Jamaat misrule was also marked by torture, rape of women and girls, torture and maiming of thousands of opposition (AL) activists and attack and repression of journalists and minority communities particularly Hindus and Christians. Many worship places including Baniapara Church in Gopalganj was bomb-attacked. The terrorists backed by BNP-Jamaat Government went thus far as to launch an attack on the then British High Commissioner Mr. Anwar Chawdhury during his visit to the holy shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal (Rh) in Sylhet. They launched several dastardly attacks on cultural and opposition activists. As many as 24,000 Awami League leaders, activists and supporters were killed, tortured and maimed by the BNP-Jamaat terrorists. 
 
When their tenure came to an end (mid 2006), the BNP started hatching conspiracy to come into power again by arranging an election staged by their own men in the form of a so called caretaker government. They raised the retiring age of Supreme Court judges with an intention to appoint their loyal Justice K M Hasan as Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government. On the other hand, they appointed another BNP-loyal judge M A Aziz as chief election commissioner.
 
Not only this, they appointed a number of BNP-Jamaat loyalists in the election commission as election commissioners. Worst ever, they made an electoral roll where more than 12.3 million fake voters were registered. This resulted in a mass-upsurge against the BNP-Jamaat regime and the chaotic situation led to the one-eleven situations as the BNP's loyal president Mr. Yaaz Uddin Ahmed took over the charge of the head of caretaker government along with his holding the chair of the President. Eventually, the army intervened and formed the care-taker government headed by Dr. Fakharuddin Ahmed to run the country for two years (2007-2008). Within few months, this very caretaker government backed by army, appeared to be a power grabbing one and intended to remain in power for long. Moreover, they harassed political leaders and business persons in the name of the so called anti corruption drive and mock trials, most of which were later on quashed by the Supreme Court. They (army backed caretaker government) put the leaders of the two major parties into jail and they plotted to send them to exile. Ultimately their plan was foiled by the popular movement organized by the Awami League and other democratic parties. The army-backed caretaker government was under heavy pressure from both within and outside the country. Eventually, they had to organize the election on 28th December 2008 where the Awami League obtained a landmark victory and formed the Government in January 2009.
 
After taking charge, the Awami League Government started to implement people's mandate from the election as reflected in its – Vision 2021, where good governance, social safety net, freedom of the press, protection of human rights, improved power supply and technology oriented/enabled service delivery system (well known as Digital Bangladesh) to ensure services to the people's doorstep in a responsive manner.
 
Let's now have a comparative scenario of the style of governance of the two regimes (BNP-Jamaat's 2001-2006 and AL Government's 2009 onwards . . .) :
 
2001-2006
(BNP-Jamaat regime)
2009-Onwards
( AL led Alliance regime)
·        Atrocity, repression, killing, rape and maiming of 24,000 AL leaders/supporters immediately after winning over the election.
·        AL did not rejoice victory with procession to avoid any kind of post-election violence. No reprehensive attack was made on the BNP activists.
·        Corruption reached the peak level due to the vandalism, nepotism and overwhelming corruption in every sector. Bangladesh topped number 1 in the TIB Corruption Perception Index for consecutive five years. To note, BNP installed only electric polls, but no power generation was followed. Millions of dollars were looted from public exchequer in the name of installing electric poll (in Bengali, popularly known as KHAMBA).
·        Anti corruption commission has been reshuffled and working more freely than before. Corruption has been minimized and now Bangladesh is no more ranking top in the TIB's Corruption Perception Index. In the last three years, electricity generation rose up to 8,049 MW till date, which was only 4,583MW during the last period of BNP's regime and 4,931MW during the caretaker regime during 2007-08).
·        BNP-Jamaat strongly repressed freedom of information and other democratic institutions. They repressed journalists in all possible manners. 13 journalists were murdered by BNP-Jamaat terrorists.
·        AL Government has constituted the Right to Information Commission, National Human Rights Commission, made opposition MPs Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committees for ensuring better accountability. Now the journalists and media are enjoying uninterrupted freedom.
·        BNP-Jamaat paid no respect to human rights and individual liberty. They initiated the infamous Operation Clean Heart and killed numbers of opposition activists in army operation. Even, the installed the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was their action, the main activity of which was mostly to repress opposition leaders and activists. 
·        The AL led grand alliance government conducted no such operation as done by BNP. The Rapid Action Battalion is now working more professionally. Till date, the RAB has apprehended 872 religious militants (JMB and HUJI etc.), and 374 outlawed extremists. It has, thus far, recovered as many as 9,520 illegal weapons and 83,234 illegal ammunitions.     
·        During exchange of fire between armed criminals and RAB members, 340 criminals died during the first three years of BNP regime. This number was 206 during the two years of caretaker government (2007-08).
·        During the last three years of the present government, the figure has dropped down to 177.
·        The rise of extremist religious terrorism reached an unprecedented level during BNP-Jamaat regime. State sponsored terrorists like Bangla Bhai, Shayokh Abdur Rahman, Mufti Hannan and many others were ruling in different parts of the country in public with even police protection in some occasions. Even then, their stalwart state minister for home affairs Mr. Lutfuzzaman Babar denied the facts saying that Bangla Bhai is the creation of the media. Several heinous attacks were made by these extremist and religious terrorist groups, which, among others, included, the 21st August grenade attack on the then opposition leader Shekh Hasina and Awami League leaders, in which 24 including Mrs Ivy Rahman (wife of current President Mr. Zillur Rahman) died on the spot. Hundreds of AL workers, supporters and common people still carrying the splinters that came out of the grenade charge. Bombs were charged at a cinema theater in Mymensing district, a one-ton bomb was recovered from under ground at Kotalipara meeting place of the then opposition leader Shekh Hasina. The Islamic militants backed by BNP-Jamaat establishments carried out a series bomb blast in 63 districts. 10 trucks of huge illegal arms and ammunitions were recovered in Chittagong , in which the BNP-Jamaat high ups had direct linkage.    
·        There no such incident that is taking place now under the AL-led grand alliance government. The government is firmly controlling the religious terrorists and steps have been taken to root out all kinds of terrorist activities from the country. All religious and cultural festivities are now being observed peacefully across the country. Whereas the BNP-Jamaat led government created fear and a reign of terror among public mind and had no commitment for social development, the present government is more exposed to pro-people administration. 
·        The BNP-Jamaat regime created several interruptions to the judicial process of the country. To conceal the facts from the public, they staged a 'Joz Mia' (a name) drama wherein they influenced the judicial magistrate and obtained his false confessional statement saying that he (Joz Mia) was responsible for the 21st August grenade Attack. They appointed a judge in the Supreme Court who had fake legal certificates.
·        Now, judiciary is totally separate and functioning  independently. Separate pay commission and judicial service commission have been constituted following the constitutional provisions.
·        The BNP-Jamaat played no role to upgrade and modernize the country's education system. They only emphasized on the Madrasa education wherefrom religious extremist and militant elements were created, nurtured and trained up.
·        AL government has made a historic move to formulate national education policy wherein the Madrasa education has been mainstreamed. The curricula of the Madrasa education has been modernized by inclusion of science and technology and literary subjects therein.
·        Social safety net was not that much focused in the governance system of the BNP-Jamaat regime. During their first term in 1991- 96, a total of 18 farmers were killed by police and terrorists of party in power, only for raising demands for fertilizer. Their student front (Chhattro Dal and Chhattro Shibir) were synonymous with terror forces, who committed eve teasing, murder and rape of women during the post election period. The people's right to information was oppressed as the BNP government in 1992 refused to join the free optical fiber link under a false pretext of national security. Moreover, they allowed only one mobile company to operate in the market and passing information was highly costly during that time.  
·        AL-led grand alliance has organized its programmes and activities to the social development and ensuring social safety net for the general people of the country. Numerous social safety-net programmes have been chalked out and now being implemented in full swing. Farmers are now being given a 'fair price card' by which they can obtain fertilizer very easily. Food security is the highest priority of the government. Agricultural and related information are now available in the mobile phones. Six mobile phone companies are now operating and paving the way towards mobile banking, easy transfer of money, health services, raising awareness about rights so on and so forth. The present government is also highly careful about development and protecting rights of women, children and indigenous communities.
 


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