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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Re: [ALOCHONA] Why the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Conflict should not be Christianized



Trust the Goebbelsian Isha to come up with such nonsense. Can the Goebbelsian Isha provide some concrete evidence of christianization as a problem. Not just one or two small scale incidents but how this is a central issue in CTG Hill Tracts!!


-----Original Message-----
From: Isha Khan
Sent: Mar 23, 2010 2:33 AM
To: dhakamails@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Why the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Conflict should not be Christianized

 

Why the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Conflict should not be Christianized

By Sujan Tanchangya, Sri Lanka

The recent CHT violence, which was one of its worst, drew the widest international condemnation in the history of the CHT conflict. It was also one of the fastest spread and thoroughly covered incidents in the digital world with photos of burnt and razing houses, temples and church, bullet-ridden bodies, attacking scenes, and vandalized Buddha statues posted onto the internet in no time. Sheik Hasina's government continues to face international and diplomatic pressure on a proper investigation into the violence and on the full implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord.The way the EU and the Western human rights organizations condemned the attack by Christianizing the incident is not really how the secular peoples of Bangladesh and the majority Jumma Buddhist people would like it to be viewed

Such a commendable international concern has been partially generated by the progressive Jumma indigenous expatriates who brought out massive worldwide demonstrations and protests against the attack in the world's major cities like Dhaka, New Delhi, Colombo, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney, London, Toronto, New York, San Francisco, California, Paris, Geneva and elsewhere. It was for the first time such worldwide demonstrations in front of the UN headquarters in Bangkok, New York and Geneva were held by the Jumma expatriates, successfully drawing the international attention to the long CHT conflict and demanding a permanent end to such continuous heinous attack on the Jumma indigenous communities on their ancestral lands. Secondly, the Bangladeshi media together with various local human rights and civil organizations has played its due role by covering the incident in a fairly impartial way paving and generating immense sympathy and popular support for the cause of peace and stability in the CHT among the popular masses in Bangladesh.

That the present AL government faces a two-front pressure from home and abroad to bring permanent peace and stability in the hills puts the CHT issue in a very favorable and fertile ground for preventing re-occurrence of such atrocities for once and all by implementing the CHT Peace Accord in no time. That the anti-peace accord tribal organization United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) has also expressed its support for such a full implementation takes everything to a new level.

However, serious concern has also been expressed by some section of Bangladeshi political and religious circles against a vested quarter for Christianizing the recent violence and portraying it as a sole religious conflict. Though one cannot deny the fact that had the jumma indigenous people been Muslims, such attacks on their properties and lands would not have taken place, majority would believe that Christianizing the CHT conflict would do more harm than good to the on-going peace initiatives. Such worldwide news headlines like "Christian homes, lives destroyed in tribal fight", "Christian Churches attacked by Bengali Muslim settlers" and "EU says Bangladesh must curb violence against Buddhists and Christians" do much harm to one of the most sensitive issues of Bangladesh. We must note here that one Baptist church came under arson attack along with another 2/3 Buddhist temples in the recent Baghaihat violence.

The way the EU and the Western human rights organizations condemned the attack by Christianizing the incident is not really how the secular peoples of Bangladesh and the majority Jumma Buddhist people would like it to be viewed. Why the CHT conflict should not be Christianized is because, first of all, the majority jumma Buddhists have already been resenting at the various evangelical Christian missionaries trying to convert the indigenous Buddhists and animists into Christianity and secondly, perhaps more importantly, the image of Christians is not very good in the eyes of Muslims. That Bangladesh is a Muslim country means any attempt to portray the CHT conflict as Muslims Vs Christians would be very devastating. Though the majority of the Jumma indigenous peoples are Buddhists and the Bengali settlers are Muslims, majority of Bangladeshis view the CHT conflict as ethnic and give moral support in the preservation of indigenous cultures and traditions and not as religious whatsoever. And that is exactly how most people would like it to be.

However, one cannot stop noticing that the EU and the West became more serious and critical about the CHT violence because one of their Christian Churches and some members of their community have been under attack and that report has been widely reported in online newspapers attracting evangelical Christians' sympathies and concern. There now would be people who would take advantage of this kind of Christianized violence to draw popular support and fund from Christian countries to finance various evangelical NGOs working in the CHTs. The CHT has been under intense NGO development projects for decades, but one cannot see any tangible developments happening in the hills. The only thing that is very visible in the remote hills is that a number of minor ethnic groups have been completely evangelized and a considerable number of Chakmas have also been victims of such evangelism. Some of such evangelized ethnic groups from the hills have been colorfully featured in a latest international evangelical book titled – "The Peoples of the Buddhist World, A Christian Prayer Guide Book". The sensitive problem between the Buddhists and the evangelized Christians could rise into serious conflict if the CHT conflict is seen merely as Christian.

Yet, the greatest protest would come from the majority Muslims of the country if the CHT conflict continues to be portrayed as such. BNP with its Islamic allies which already opposes the Peace Accord could draw massive support for its so-called patriotic opposition against any concession to the CHT indigenous peoples if and when the present AL government is forced to give into perceived Christianized pressure and demands. One cannot be with the wishful thinking that secular AL would be in power always. In a country like Bangladesh where the winner takes everything, the BNP could undo anything that the AL did when it comes to power with regard to the CHT issue. The CHT Jumma peoples are already labeled as Indian puppets by some anti-India sections of Bangladesh. The Jumma people don't certainly want to see another label like "Christian puppets" tagged behind their backs complicating the already tense situation.

Therefore, the EU and the West should minimize their Christian rhythm when referring to the CHT conflict, thus reducing the already complex and complicated situation and should not give any indication that they are concerned about the CHT on the basis of attacks on "Buddhists and Christians", because religious conflicts can be more complicated and sensitive. People should realize that the CHT jumma indigenous peoples enjoy popular support and sympathies from their progressive and secular Bengali brothers and sisters not because they are religiously different but because they are ethnically different, indigenous or tribal. For peace and stability to be permanently established in the hills, the support of the general people of Bangladesh is extremely important, even much more important and crucial than the international pressure and support. Given the geographical location and political involvement, we believe that the rights, the dignity and the very existence of the jumma indigenous peoples of CHT would be better preserved under internationally established indigenous laws rather than trying to save them under perceived Christianized pressure and demands.

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

The writer (E mail : sujantcg@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and a jumma activist currently based in Colombo

http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=310282



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[ALOCHONA] Disputed isle in Bay of Bengal disappears into sea



Disputed isle in Bay of Bengal disappears into sea

 
What these two countries could not achieve from years of talking, has been resolved by global warming," said Hazra.


For nearly 30 years, India and Bangladesh have argued over control of a tiny rock island in the Bay of Bengal. Now rising sea levels have resolved the dispute for them: the island's gone.(AP, New Delhi)

New Moore Island in the Sunderbans has been completely submerged, said oceanographer Sugata Hazra, a professor at Jadavpur University in Calcutta. Its disappearance has been confirmed by satellite imagery and sea patrols, he said. "What these two countries could not achieve from years of talking, has been resolved by global warming," said Hazra.

Scientists at the School of Oceanographic Studies at the university have noted an alarming increase in the rate at which sea levels have risen over the past decade in the Bay of Bengal. Until 2000, the sea levels rose about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) a year, but over the last decade they have been rising about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) annually, he said.

Another nearby island, Lohachara, was submerged in 1996, forcing its inhabitants to move to the mainland, while almost half the land of Ghoramara island was underwater, he said. At least 10 other islands in the area were at risk as well, Hazra said. "We will have ever larger numbers of people displaced from the Sunderbans as more island areas come under water," he said.

Bangladesh, a low-lying delta nation of 150 million people, is one of the countries worst-affected by global warming. Officials estimate 18 percent of Bangladesh's coastal area will be underwater and 20 million people will be displaced if sea levels rise 1 meter (3.3 feet) by 2050 as projected by some climate models. India and Bangladesh both claimed the empty New Moore Island, which is about 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) long and 3 kilometers (1.5 miles) wide. Bangladesh referred to the island as South Talpatti.

There were no permanent structures on New Moore, but India sent some paramilitary soldiers to its rocky shores in 1981 to hoist its national flag. The demarcation of the maritime boundary - and who controls the remaining islands - remains an open issue between the two South Asian neighbors, despite the disappearance of New Moore, said an official in India's foreign ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on international disputes. Bangladesh officials were not available for comment Wednesday.
 
 


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[ALOCHONA] Good Governance in Bangladesh: A Quest for a Non-Political Party Approach



Good Governance in Bangladesh: A Quest for a Non-Political Party Approach

Sayed Javed Ahmad

Abstract

This paper discusses the problems and issues on the political failures in Bangladesh and seeks to suggest some possible solutions. The approach here is analytical mostly reviewing current news, reports and other related materials. A comparative study is also carried out between the present and proposed system to get a quick glimpse on the overall situation. The idea here is to identify reasonable and practical solutions that would yield better result for Bangladesh and bring about positive changes in the political scenario that would allow the country to move forward as a successful and dignified nation. The author has kept the scope of this paper limited to political party, elections, governance and constitutional reforms.

 

A great deal of references is used in the thesis from the Constitution of Bangladesh as it is the highest source of guidance for our government. While doing so, some weaknesses of the constitution have been detected and some corrections are suggested where deemed appropriate. Examples of some gross violation of the constitution by the political party based government have also been discussed.


 
Full Text:
 


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[ALOCHONA] Court rejects SQ Chy's case



Court rejects SQ Chy's case
 
\Dhaka, Mar 24 (bdnews24.com)—A Dhaka court has rejected a case by Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's over an alleged attempt to poison Sheikh Hasina during her stay in 2007-08, while the government has said it is probing the matter.

Advocate AKM Fakhrul Islam filed the case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning on behalf of Chowdhury, an MP and senior figure of the opposition BNP. The case accused former president Iajuddin Ahmed, ex-chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, former army chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed and four others over the alleged poisoning.

The prime minister herself alleged in parliament, on Mar 11, that there was an attempt to murder her by "slow poisoning" during her detention in special jail on graft charges by the past caretaker government. Hasina and six others had been named witnesses in the case.

Chowdhury, an MP from Chittagong, said in his complaint: "Sheikh Hasina is the leader of parliament ... There were attempts on her life." The BNP leader said the matter had "infuriated" him. "So I decided to file a case over the matter," he said in the case statement.

Other accused were general Masud Uddin Chowdhury, Maj Gen ATM Amin, Brig Gen Fazlul Haque Bari and inspector general of prisons Brig Gen Jakir Hossain. However, the court of metropolitan magistrate AKM Imdadaul Haque rejected the case on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Govt questions SQ Chy's motives
 
Dhaka, Mar 24 (bdnews24.com) — The government has said that it is probing the alleged poisoning of prime minister Sheikh Hasina during her detention in special jail in 2007-08 and there was no need for any individual to file a case.
"Investigation into the matter is already underway. Anyone found guilty in the probe will be punished," state minister for law Quamrul Islam told reporters.

Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury Wednesday morning filed a case against former president Iajuddin Ahmed, ex-chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, former army chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed and four others about the alleged poisoning.

Commenting on Salahuddin's action, Qamrul said, "It is the government who will take action regarding the matter. He should not have done anything like this." "He (SQ Chy) does lots of things. His intentions are very hard to understand. His words and his deeds are not always the same," the state minister said.

Chowdhury, an MP from Chittagong, said in his complaint: "Sheikh Hasina is the leader of parliament ... There were attempts on her life." The BNP leader said the matter had "infuriated" him. "So I decided to file a case over the matter," he said in the case statement.

Other accused are Lt. gen. Masud Uddin Chowdhury, Maj Gen ATM Amin, Brig Gen Fazlul Bari and inspector general of prisons Brig Gen Jakir Hossain. The hearing is likely to be held in the court of metropolitan magistrate AKM Imdadaul Haque later in the day.


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[ALOCHONA] SQ Chy sues Iajuddin, Fakhruddin, Moeen for ‘slow poisoning’ Hasina



SQ Chy sues Iajuddin, Fakhruddin, Moeen for 'slow poisoning' Hasina
 
Star Online Report

Former president Iajuddin Ahmed, former chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, ex-army chief Moeen U Ahmed and four others were sued Wednesday for an alleged attempt to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by 'slow poising' while in a sub-jail during a state of emergency.

After a short hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate AKM Emdadul Haque set Wednesday afternoon for passing an order over the case filed by BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.

The poisoning took place sometime between July 16, 2007 and June 11, 2008 while Hasina, also Awami League chief, was detained in the sub-jail on the parliament complex, the plaintiff alleged.

Two other accused in the case are Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury, then chief coordinator of the National Coordination Committee, and former inspector general of prisons Brig Gen Zakir Hassan. In the case statement, the rest two accused have been named as Maj Gen ATM Amin and Brig Gen MA Bari. However, their current status could not be ascertained instantly.

Earlier on March 11, the prime minister in parliament alleged that efforts were made to kill her by mixing poison with her food while in the sub-jail.

The "slow poisoning" caused a serious problem to her eyes, Hasina told the House. "I was held in a dirty house and given shabby mattress and bed. But the opposition leader [Khaleda Zia] was kept in the speaker's residence. She was allowed to keep a domestic help. Her food was brought from outside and cloths washed at laundry," she said.



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