[ALOCHONA] People Will Not Forgive the National Betrayers

Manmohan Singh is Welcome, But Leave Bangladesh Alone- People Will Not Forgive the National Betrayers

By Obaid Chowdhury, USA

Indian Prime Minister Manmohon Singh is arriving Dhaka on a two-day official visit on September 6, 2011. Welcome, but…!

Earlier, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed made a Ziarat-e-Sukrana to New Delhi in January 2010. It is an open knowledge now that her election victory on December 29, 2008 was orchestrated by India with tacit support from the US Bush administration and others. Please read "Truth Behind Twelve Twenty Nine (12/29/2008) below. The prestigious weekly Economist of London reaffirmed it on July 30, 2011, saying that AL's triumph in the 2008 elections was "helped by bags of Indian cash and advice". The Economist said much more. To know, please visit:

http://www.economist.com/node/21524917

In New Delhi, Hasina's sponsors unveiled the terms of their investment in arranging the Baton of Power for her. Obligingly, she signed at the dotted lines, without caring for a moment what those terms meant for Bangladesh's security and future. Long after the visit, the people of Bangladesh came to know bit by bit that she virtually leased their country out to India. That is not all; she accepted $1 billion dollar Indian bank loan, to be repaid by Bangladesh taxpayers with high interest, to prepare infrastructures for facilitating Indian movements and activities inside Bangladesh. (Please see another article "The Billion Dollar Bait Bangladesh Swallowed" below for details). None of these issues was ever discussed in public or in the parliament, not yet.

Let us walk back a brief history line and see how the relationship between Bangladesh and India came about.

The separation of East Pakistan---today's Bangladesh---from its western half has been an implied but deep-rooted policy in New Delhi since 1947. The first opportunity came in mid 1960s when a small secessionist group, under the leadership of Lieutenant Commander Moazzem Hossain of navy, contacted the Indian Deputy High Commission in Dhaka for help. Indian authorities advised the group to incorporate political elements to have a voice. Most Bengali politicians shunned the idea. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Awami League reluctantly agreed to provide moral support. Steward Mujibur Rahman and Ali Reza, two trusted comrades of Commander Moazzem, went to Agartala to seek assistance for an armed independence struggle. According to some AL leaders, Sheikh Mujib also went to Agartala.

(Steward Mujibur Rahman died mysteriously in January 1972. Awami hand was suspected in his killing because another Mujibur Rahman needed to be credited for the Agartala trip. Commander Moazzem was gunned down on March 26, 1971 by Pakistanis. Unfortunately, these heroes remained unsung).

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was too preoccupied with India's relations with China, following its debacle in the 1962 war, to commit to 'East Pakistan's internal matter' at that juncture. That became the famous Agartala Conspiracy Case (ACC). In the original charge sheet, Sheikh Mujib was not named. Disturbed with Mujib's 6-Point program for an autonomous East Pakistan, President Ayub Khan wanted to kill Mujib politically by bringing a sedition charge against him. Within a few days, Sheikh Mujib found himself as the No. 1 accused, pushing down Commander Moazzem to No. 2 spot, in the ACC. Ayub's plan backfired and Mujib became a 'fairy tale hero' instead, somewhat by default.

The 1970 elections sent a clear message to the leaders in Islamabad that Bengalis wanted a fully autonomous East Pakistan, but Pakistan military junta's brutal Operation Searchlight on March 25/26, 1971 forced them to fight for an independent Bangladesh. It was an opportunity Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India could not miss to break her archenemy. She provided all possible support to the Bangladeshi fighters. Tajuddin Ahmed, the wartime Prime Minister, had to sign a 7-point agreement with India, nonetheless. Agreements reduced a future Bangladesh into a dependent colony of India. Following were the salient points:

1. Bangladesh will have a para-military force to be organized, equipped and supervised by India.

2. Bangladesh will procure all its military requirements from India.

3. Bangladesh's foreign trade will be controlled by India.

4. Bangladesh's development plans shall be approved by Indian.

5. Bangladesh's foreign relations shall be guided by India.

6. Bangladesh cannot rescind any part of these agreements without prior approval of India.

7. Indian force shall enter into Bangladesh at any time to crush any resistance or uprising.

The Mukti Bahini, Bangladesh's freedom fighters, won victory on December 16, 1971. It was a historic irony that Indian forces, not Mukti Bahini, took the surrender of the defeated Pakistanis. Col M A G Osmany, the C-in-C of the Mukti Bahini, was prevented from joining the surrender ceremony by incapacitating the helicopter that was carrying him to Dhaka.

After Independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi replaced the above treaty in March 1972 with a 25-Year Treaty of Friendship, which retained most of the clauses of earlier one signed by Tajuddin. Details of this treaty remained a state secret.

After the fall of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, Indian colonization program came to a halt. President Ziaur Rahman initiated South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) presented a blockade. According to "Amar Phansi Chai" of Motiur Rahman Rentu, onetime aide of Sheikh Hasina, India had a hand in Zia's assassination on May 30, 1981.

After 21 years, Mujib's daughter Hasina came to power, thanks to an active RAW and it agents in Bangladesh. India restarted its hegemony with Bangladesh in all fronts. Hasina's AL was defeated in 2001 and India took a backseat. Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed offered fresh opportunities to India, following his betrayal on 1/11. According to many analysts, Gen Moeen, in fact, acted as India's remote control. As such, the elections on December 29, 2008 were geared and conducted the way India wanted.

Today, Sheikh Hasina is not only repaying the debts for her installation in authority, she is also obeying the dictates she received during her self-exile in India in 1975-81. It is a betrayal of the highest order to the nation, to the people.

The Indian PM is coming to Dhaka to cement the arrangements signed in New Delhi last year, among other things. What are the stakes for Bangladesh? Let us examine a few cases and implications thereof.

The Corridor

According to the Economist, "it is to create an Indian security corridor", connecting Indian mainland with it's largely Maoist seven sisters, thereby attracting guerrilla incursions inside Bangladesh. India could use the corridor to move troops and equipment to support its growing military presence in Arunachal that China claims to be part of its Tibet. If India uses Bangladesh as a "military marshalling yard", Bangladesh's relation with China is bound to sour, even be troublesome and confrontational. Additionally, Hasina administration agreed for the Asian Highway to run through Bangladesh connecting one Indian state (West Bengal) to other Indian states ( Seven Sisters), implying India will use Bangladesh routes for its inter-state traffic. Can Bangladesh afford such high risks? Definitely not.

Water Sharing

Farakka to the left of Bangladesh has already rendered one-third of its land into semi desert with insurmountable adverse consequences in economy, lifestyle, environment and ecology. Since its commission in 1975, India never complied with agreed sharing of waters. Farakka has become a death trap for Bangladesh. Tipaimukh to the right is another trap in the making. It will dry up Surma and Kushyara rivers, bringing in the Farakka-effects to eastern half of the country. Teesta and 52 other rivers that flow into Bangladesh from India face similar fates. Bangladesh cannot allow that. Waters must be shared equitably and according to international norms.

Wire Fencing

India has caged Bangladesh by wire fencing, virtually from all sides. Can we accept such animal-like treatment? No self-respecting nation can do that. And, we play host to the perpetrators!

Border Killing

Killing of innocent Bangladeshis in the border is a daily ritual with the Border Security Forces of India. Nobody forgets the brutality to Felani! The authorities are so sold-out that they cannot even protest. What a shame!

It should, therefore, be the duty of each patriotic Bangladeshi to hoist black flag, wear black badge and demand, during the visit of the Indian PM:

Hands off Bangladesh.

Accept complicity of conspiracy in the 2008 elections, which should be nullified.

Admit complicity in the BDR massacre and compensate.

Compensate for Farakka consequences.

No Tipaimukh.

Waters of joint rivers should be shared equitably.

Stop RAW's anti-Bangladeshi activities.

RAW Agents Beware!

No corridor until further details and implications known to the public.

No transshipment without adequate compensation.

Return Tin Bigha immediately.

Remove navy form South Talpatti.

National Betrayers Beware! Public Trials Awaiting You.

Obaid Chowdhury

NY, USA

August 12, 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two things came clear from the Hillaryleak:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Obaid Chowdhury

NY, USA

February 4, 2011

The Billion Dollar Bait Bangladesh Swallowed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Obaid Chowdhury
NY, USA
E Mail : alaldulal@aol.com

http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=363801

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