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BLAME AND

GAMEThe True Face of Political

Violence in Bangladesh

January 21, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 Introduction

03

02

Root of All Evils

06

03

Shoot Them Down!

08

04

The Awami League Style!

10

05

Facts Behind The ‘Facts’

19

06

The Victims

21

07

From Bangladesh, With Fear

27

08

Conclusion

32

09

References

33

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INTRODUCTION The birth of Bangladesh, the country, was in itself a manifestation of the commitment of her people to their dedication to universal suffrage. It wasn’t until an elected assembly that was not allowed to assume power, when the whole nation stood up for independence in 1971.

So, for a country with such a glorious democratic past, what transpired on 5th January 2014, was nothing short of a real collective faux pas as a buck in the trend of continuing democracy. And understandably, the absolute majority of the people of the country have felt humiliated and disenfranchised due to the political hara-kiri of the ruling elite.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has always been the vanguard of establishing democracy in the Country, being instrumental first in bringing back multi-party democracy from a tyrannical dark past, then in strengthening the burgeoning democracy with a centrist all-encompassing platform, and then striving to bring back democracy again after putting an end to a military dictatorship that was at the helm for almost eight years, through peaceful means.

Sadly, this party has again been burdened with the colossal responsibility of restoring democracy back in Bangladesh.

But in the process of bringing back true democracy in the country, BNP, with her loyal and increasingly popular support base, has been subject to unimaginable levels of state sponsored terror and brutality.

Whenever BNP has tried to mobilize popular support, with a view to ending the tyrannical rule present at Bangladesh, a systematic crackdown has resulted from the government led by Bangladesh Awami League. They have clamped down on opposition leaders, activists, supporters and sympathizers alike.

Whenever a legitimate political movement was announced by BNP, The government responded by deploying the notorious paramilitary unit, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and the police, often under the rubric of “joint forces.”

Members of these units individually or in joint operations carried out extra-judicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the unlawful destruction of private property. And these campaigns have been preceded by almost warlike rhetoric from the highest office in the government and law enforcement agencies.

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The rhetoric alone is cause for concern in any civilized country, let alone the brutality of the government machine that follows on the ground.

The subterfuges given publicly for the unnecessarily harsh crackdowns, are purportedly cited as a counter measure to incendiary actions carried out by opposition activists, who have otherwise been deprived of every other means of democratic protest. But, what makes the government claims incredible is the utter lack of first hand evidence of any opposition activists being caught on the actual act of doing these.

All the government is able to present are anecdotal evidences which are inadmissible in any court of law. But, unfortunately, aided by a nepotistic judiciary, where most of the appointees are known to be governing party sympathizers, and ministered by a police force marred by allegations of extensive human rights abuse; the government has gone ahead with these brutal campaigns.

The most astonishing part of the puzzle is that, it is the Awami league loyalists who have been caught time and again red handed, while trying to terrorize peace in the country.

Numerous times the acts BNP activists stand accused of carrying out, have actually been proven to have been carried out by governing party loyalist. Any conscious person will begin to wonder why the governing party activists will be engaged in acts of destroying public property (and being caught in the act while doing so).

But in light of the course of action taken by the government in the aftermath of these criminal acts, it is entirely plausible that the governing party is the one behind the gruesome attack on the common people, as purely as a classic ‘false flag operation’, just to clampdown on opposition activists. Because, time and again, the call from BNP leadership has been to participate in peaceful protests across the country, and with the weight of growing popularity behind BNP, as manifested by mayoral election clean sweeps in 2013, BNP would not want to lose popular support by carrying out these acts.

The government, on the other hand has everything to gain, by throwing dirt on its political nemesis, and presenting them as an undemocratic dark force in front of both local and foreign audience. It seems increasingly likely that all the violence has become a powerful propaganda tool for the government to that end of establishing BNP as something other than a democratic force.

BNP unequivocally asserts that the Bangladeshi authorities have the authority and duty to investigate, detain, and prosecute people who have committed offenses. But this must be done in accordance with international human rights standards and Bangladeshi law. But what the security forces are doing is a gross violation of each and every law there is. Bangladesh is a state party to several of the central international human rights treaties,

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including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Bangladesh is thus, among other things, obliged to ensure that no one is arbitrarily deprived of her or his life, that no one is subjected to torture, and that in the determination of a criminal charge, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by a tribunal established by law, and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the law enforcement agencies are shooting people, some in their ranks are calling for ‘shoot at sight’ orders, totally circumventing the law of the land, and also the basic human rights of the victims.

On top of that, whenever government activists are caught in the acts of terrorism, the cases are not followed up to clarify the purpose of their actions, adding to the dreadful suspicion that the government is indeed the ones behind these acts of terror and violence.

The current problem in Bangladesh is a political problem, and no level of violence from the government can solve it. Much to the dismay of any conscious citizen, the governing agencies, instead of even bothering to condemn unlawful killings, are actually encouraging and praising such acts.

The most unfortunate part is that government activists are increasingly caught in the acts of the violent nature, yet, these incidents are swept under the rug and instead the government is using these incidents as an excuse to clampdown even harder on the opposition pro-democracy activists.

For a sustainable future for Bangladesh, such incidents need to completely stop and everyone must collectively strive to re-introduce true democracy in Bangladesh. Only then, all these acts will cease, as any true democratic force can never harm their own people. And the current government in Bangladesh is anything but truly democratic.

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ROOT OF ALL EVILS

The January 05 of 2015 was the anniversary of the poll that took place a year back letting 153 members of parliament to win uncontested of the total 300 constituencies. The poll was termed as a farcical one by the British weekly The Economist.

Within a day of the poll, governments and international organisations condemned the way the election was carried out.

In a press statement, US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said Washington was "disappointed", as the results of the election "did not appear to credibly express the will of the Bangladeshi people".1

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed the UN's sadness that the election was not peaceful and all-inclusive.2

Amid worldwide concerns to engage in dialogue in order to figure out the system under which a credible, inclusive and transparent poll can be held as soon as possible, Awami League government quashed off any possibility of dialogue in next five years.3

Though the opposition camp made repeated calls to hold a dialogue for an inclusive and participatory poll, the government lambasted every single call.

On the other hand, the government intensified its killing spree all around the nation. According to Ain O Salish Kendra, a Bangladeshi Human Rights body, at least 128 people were killed in “crossfire” and 88 disappeared across the country in 2014, mostly opposition party members.4

The human rights situation in Bangladesh was alarming in 2014, adding that the incidents of “crossfire” have sharply been increased in the year. The incidents of crossfire rose 80% comparing to 2013.5

Some 147 people were killed in 664 incidents of political violence in 2014 while 8373 others received injuries. Some 24 people were killed in incidents of violence, centering January 5 polls while 11 were killed during upazila elections.6

In such an alarming situation, the leader of people Begum Khaleda Zia tabled seven points proposal, demanding a fresh poll in order to reinstate the democracy which was banished in the January 5 election of 2014.7

Very shortly, Awami League leaders rejected the proposal. Mahbub-ul-AlamHanif, joint general secretary of the Awami League (AL), said that the ruling party has rejected the

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seven proposals placed by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia, including holding of an early inclusive election.7F

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After the rejection of the proposal by Awami League, BNP decide to hold a rally in the capital to show the government that the people support their proposal and are eagerly waiting to practice their right to suffrage which was robbed in daylight on January 5.

BNP asked for permission to hold rally in the capital to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the authority to provide the permission.

Begum Khaleda Zia is confined in her office since January 03, 2015

Government reacted violently and cracked down on BNP leaders and activists ahead of January 5 of 2015. A standing committee member and many other members of the central committee of BNP were arrested within a week. In addition the Dhaka Metropolitan Police banned all sort of meeting or rallies in capital for indefinite period of time and imposed the section 144.

Later, police parked dozens of trucks, laden with sands and bricks around her office. Water cannons were called to create further barricade. Hundreds of police men surrounded the office of Begum Zia since January 03 of 2015 forcing her to stay confined in her office. The autocratic government left BNP with agitation only.

BNP called a countrywide blockade for indefinite period from January 6, 2015.

SHOOT THEM DOWN! The governments that do not hold sufficient public support always rely on batons to suppress the public demand. The government led by Sheikh Hasina is no less than Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler after the election of January 5, 2014. Awami League, devoid of popular mandate had to follow the methods of the former autocrats to face the popular movement currently being hold in Bangladesh.

After being protested in every corner of the country the government took steps to force the people of the country to join work, and not to join the public rallies in support of the blockade for their suffrage.

The government failing to motivate people with their words attempted to intimidate the people. They decided to run a systematic campaign of terror by using joint force in the name of ‘public safety’. The home ministry ordered the law enforcement agencies to launch joint drives in ‘troublesome districts’ to maintain order at any cost in the face of countrywide protest during the ongoing blockade on January 14, 2015.9

After being directed by the government the joint force launched its drives in almost every district. Joint force consists of the personnel from Police, intelligence agencies, RAB, BGB and sometimes Ansar. Surprisingly, the Awami League cadres also took part in many of the drives with lethal weapons along with the joint force.

In addition, the officials of 49 police stations and the Detective Branch were seen making lists of BNP-Jamaat leaders, mainly those who are already accused in different cases but remain fugitive, under their police station area and conducting drives to arrest them.10

Moreover, MayeenUddin Khan Badal, executive president of JatiyaSamajtantrik Dal, a component of the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance, suggested the police shoot BNP activists for maintaining law and order.

He said, “Police should shoot in their chests, if required.”11

After getting the green signal from party high command, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) decided to use lethal force, if necessary, on so called ‘miscreants’ as the countrywide blockade continued.12

Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said that police were listing the protesters who were carrying out subversive activities and special drives were continuing to hunt down the perpetrators.

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The police chief said they had identified some districts most vulnerable to terror attacks, including Rangpur, Gaibandha and Chapainawabganj. Combined drives with BGB and RAB were underway and would be strengthened in the areas to curb violence.13

Joint forces’ drives started on January 15. Several hundred activists of BNP and its allies were arrested, 55 of them in Jessore, 51 in Sylhet, 22 in Narail, 19 in Kushtia, 20 in Moulvibazar, seven in Feni and five in Thakurgaon.

Law enforcers launched joint forces’ drive in Chapainawabganj and conducted drives across the country as the non-stop countrywide blockade called by the BNP-led alliance continued for the 12th day on January 16.

According to the reports from respective districts, 53 people were arrested in Rangpur, 75 in Gaibandha, 42 in Kusthia, 38 each in Bogra and Khulna, 27 in Chittagong, 25 in Chapainawabganj 19 each in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Noakhali, 18 in Sunamganj, 11 in Netrakona, 10 in Chandpur, 8 in Jaipurhat and several others in different districts.

Police detained at least 14 activists including local BNP leader Shahidul Islam and the Nishindhara union parishad chairman, raiding different parts of Bogra town.

In addition, the illegal Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Khaleda Zia will be tried in the same way a killer is tried."14

Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali said admitted the government’s failure to provide security for the citizen and termed the incident “upsetting” and added that its toll on the people was “a violation of the human rights.” But he said, “No need to try arsonists under the speedy trials act. We want to declare a war against them… This can no longer be tolerated. An arrangement will be made in this regard by a week.”15

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THE AWAMI LEAGUE STYLE! Case 01 11 were burnt to death

It was a dreadful night on June 04, 2004.

In an unprecedented incident of pre-hartal violence at least ten passengers including a minor girl of a state owned BRTC double decker bus were burnt alive and 12 others seriously injured when pickets belonging to the main opposition Awami League set fire to the bus near the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city.15F

16

Witnesses said, the Mirpur bound double decker BRTC bus came under attack in front of Hotel Sheraton at about 8.30 pm. Pro-hartal activists threw a patrol bomb into the bus full of passengers. The bus caught fire instantly.

Three of the eleven dead were identified as Meem, 2, Yasmin, 25, and Tahura, 27.

Thirteen of the 15 injured admitted to the DMCH are Meem's mother Monwara, 22, Wahed, 14, Abdur Rahim, 35, Abul Kalam, 45, Rowshan Ara, 30, her son Rony, 12, Alamgir, 14, Jognu Akhter, 18, Mustafiz, 40, Saidur, 22, Babu, 8, Kabir, 40, and Rabbi, 4.

The fire left the bus in a charred, blackened metal structure, burning out all seats and other flammables before fire fighters could douse the blaze.

The bus that was set ablaze on June 4 by AL cadres that took life of 11 passengers

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Case 02 The Burning Train

A train was set ablaze on 22 August of 2004 by Awami League cadres in Bhairab leaving one dead.

The train was brought to the workshop at Pahartali for repair after 12 of its compartments were burnt.

The workers of the workshop found the charred body in one of the 12 torched compartments on August 24 of 2004.

Awami League backed goons stopped the inter-city train at the outer signal of the station, forced some 600 passengers to alight and set it on fire.16F

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Case 03 51 burnt buses

In an investigative report on the hartal violence from March 2002 to June 2004 throughout the country including the capital by then Awami League New Age found that 51 buses belonging to government body BRTC were badly damaged within three years of period.

Of the 51 buses, 20 were set ablaze by the opposition

activists. And glasses of the windows and windshields of 31 buses were broken down in the capital and Gazipur, Comilla, Noakhali, Barisal and Rangpur. 17F

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AL cadres stopped a train to set it ablaze in Bhairab

Case 04 Arrested With Handmade Grenades

Two activists of ruling Awami League’s student front were arrested in connection to creating panic at Comilla railway station blasting handmade grenades on the platform.

The names of the duo are- Nasir and Shipon. Nasir is a student of Comilla Victoria College. Police arrested them around 4 pm on January 19, 2014.

Witness said the two blasted cocktails on the platform and tried to flee the scene.19

Case 05 Blockader in Custody, Missing Political Identity

An alleged blockader was shot by police while he was fleeing away after hurling a crude bomb at a bus at Shahbagh in Dhaka on January 19.

The incident happened a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed police to hunt down petrol bomb makers and throwers.

Nur Mohammad, 25, suffered bullet wounds in the left leg and is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was trying to run away after hurling the crude bomb that left the bus driver injured around 8:00pm.20

Case 06 Arrested as Militant, Released as Awami League Leader

Three people with small arms and bullets were arrested from the vicinity of Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday where Prime Minister Sheikh spoke on the day in an Awami League rally commemorating the homecoming of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.21

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All three arrestees claimed to be Awamy League activists, and that their weapons were licensed. The arrests were made after the proceedings of the rally had begun.

Despite tight security, people with guns were arrested, and crude bombs were blasted in front of Bangla Academy and Shaheed Minar, places close to the rally venue.

Police, acting upon information, arrested Abu Sayem Shahin, 36, and Jasim Uddin, 33, while carrying a pistol and 38 rounds of bullets from Joykali Mandir area and Anwar Hossain, 45, near the Bangla Academy premises with another pistol and 14 rounds of bullets.

• Sayem claimed he was an activist of Mohammadpur unit AL, and also a car trader. • Jasim was supposedly his assistant. • Anwar claimed to be an ex-president of Mirpur unit Chhatra League.

The arrests were made between 3pm to 4 pm. But they were released as police receive confirmation about their Awami League identity.22

Case 07 Torching a Truck

Mujibur Rahman, a local Awami League activist from Jessore, was found guilty in an incident of torching a truck bound to Dhaka on January 12.

The truck was carrying onion and was stopped in Jessore by some unidentified miscreants who set ablaze the truck. Police investigated the case and found local Mujibur Rahman involved in the incident. They filed a charge sheet regarding the incident.23

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Case 08 Bomb Thrower Follower of AL Leader

On January 10 of 2015, at least three ‘cocktails’ were blasted in front of Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue. Locals said the three cocktails were thrown around 2 pm.

A bus driver who was lying inside his bus caught a bomb thrower who was fleeing the scene. The bomb thrower was identified a Bangladesh Chhatra League (the students front of Awami League) activist. His name is Sadiq.24

The youth claimed he was a follower of Anisur Rahman of Chhatra League's Dhaka metropolitan unit (south) and Organising Secretary ASM Farez Sami.25

He was taken to the Chhatra League's office at the Awami League headquarters to confirm his claims. Police later took him to their Paltan station.

Case 09 Blockader in Custody, Missing Political Identity-2

A youth was taken into police custody after his attempt to torch a bus in Khilgaon of the capital Dhaka on January 07. His name is Sarwar Alam.

Sarwar was arrested with petrol around 6 pm. He was taken to Khilgaon police station. His identity could not be ascertained yet. Police have never briefed journalists about Sarwar’s political affiliation even after two weeks of his arrest.26

Case 10 Blockader in Custody, Missing Political Identity-3

On January 07 of 2015, a youth named Montu Miah was caught red handed while he was about to torch a bus on the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport road. The suspected arsonist was taken to Airport police station.

The Officer-in-Charge of Airport police station Shah Alam said that Montu was arrested while he was preparing to torch a bus. Police could not provide any further information about the arrestee. His political identity remained a mystery.27

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Case 11 Blockader in Custody, Missing Political Identity-4

Abdul Malek, a suspected arsonist, was arrested from capital’s Gulistan while trying to torch a bus. He was initially beaten by mob and seeing this police who had previously declared to kill the arsonists on the spot rushed to save him and took him into their custody.

Police claimed that the suspected arsonist hailed from Sonaimuri of Noakhali, but did not disclose any information regarding his political affiliation.28

Case 12 Bomb Cook

The wife of a local Awami League leader sustained injuries when a crude bomb exploded at their house at Mulbari village of Sonatala upazila on December 29, 2014.

The victim was identified as Rebeka Sultana Ranjana, 35, wife of Digdair union Awami League leader Rezaul Karim.

Locals said the crude bomb went off at the kitchen of Rezaul around 2pm when Rebeka was cleaning it, leaving her injured. However, it was not clear how the crude came at the kitchen of the Awami League leader.29

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Case 13 Arsonist BCL

Awami League student front Chhatra League activists torched an Islamic University bus in Jhenaidaha on December 04 of 2014.30

The arsonists beaten up the driver and helper of the bus before set it ablaze.

Case 14 BCL Leaders Caught Red-handed Torch Buses

Three Bangladesh Chhatra League activists were caught red handed in southern district Magura on January 01 of 2014 while trying to set ablaze a bus on the highway with petrol.

Police arrested the trio and later confirmed their identity as Awami League student wing members. Police seized the petrol carried by them to torch buses on the highway.

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According to local police they were trying to set ablaze a bus on the highway around 8 pm and were taken into custody by Police from the scene.

They are Sajjad Mollah, Limon and Rana. Sajjad is the religion affairs secretary of the local BCL committee.31

Case 15 BCL Men Torch Teachers’ Bus

BCL activists set fire to a teachers' bus of CU near Sholoshahar area on April 20 of 2010 and also halted the movement of university bound shuttle trains and public vehicles to resist the students from going to the campus.32

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Police in separate drives in the city yesterday arrested eight BCL activists in connection with setting the teachers' bus ablaze.

Panchlaish police arrested six persons--Rubel, Ershad, Khorshed Alam, Nizamul Alam, Subal Das and Nur Mohammad while Khulshi police arrested Alauddin and Anwar Hossain.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Rezaul Masud said four of the arrestees were activists of BCL CU unit while others were of BCL city unit.

Witnesses said a group of BCL men torched the bus near Baby Super Market at about 6:30am. On information, fire fighters rushed in and doused the flame.33

Case 16 BCL Men Torched Bus

Police arrested a Chittagong University student in the port city's Aturer Depot area foiling a bid to damage yet another teachers' bus of CU on April 21, 2010.

Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station Nobo Jyoti Khisa said arrestee Jahangir Mian is a 3rd year student of CU Physics department. Jahangir was nabbed while he and some other youths were throwing brickbats at the bus around 10:30am. The rest had managed to flee the law enforcers.

The OC suspects the arrestee to be an activist of CU unit BCL.34

Case 17 BCL Men Torched MC College Hostel

On the afternoon of July 8, 2012, activists of the BCL and Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir clashed on the MC College campus, Sylhet, leaving at least 20 people injured. Following the clash, the BCL activists allegedly torched at least 42 rooms of the college hostel, forcing the Shibir men out.

The next day, the college was declared shut for an indefinite period.35

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FACTS BEHIND THE ‘FACTS’ It was observed that the torching of buses using petrol bombs and gun powder have been a tradition and signature of Awami League. The Awami League backed cadres torched hundreds of buses while they were in opposition camp from 2001 to 2006.

The leader of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, was charged with two murder cases during the army backed caretaker government regime of 2007-08. One of the two cases was an arson case where 11 passengers of a BRTC double decker bus were roasted alive on the spot on June 04, 2004.36

The then government investigated the whole incident and found that the party chief herself directed her close aide Mirza Azam and Jahangir Kabir Nanak to torch a bus in a ‘prime spot’ of Dhaka. Sheikh Hasina’s cousin, also a presidium member of Awami League, Sheikh Selim confessed the facts behind the incident to Joint Interrogation Cell in 2007.37

One of the hundreds of buses torched by AL cadres in capital Dhaka

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He claimed that a group of Jubo League activists close to Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Mirza Azam set fire using gun powder on a bus and confirmed the death of at least 10 people that night. After making it a “success” they arrived the office of Sheikh Hasina situated in Dhanmondi to inform the high commands about their success.

On the other hand, when they arrived in power they continue doing the same things to create panic among the common mass and in order to make the opposition programs less popular.

It is not always a foregone conclusion that the violence occurring in the country, specially torching buses is done by BNP activists who are on run due to state run hunt.

Some facts should be pointed out to build up the argument.

• In almost every incidents of violence the miscreants were able to flee the scene without any obstacle as if they knew every single detail of police

• Whenever a miscreant is nabbed, police avoids their political affiliation • In most of the cases, the arsonists were seen having links with ruling Awami

League

These points, backed by facts, make it evident that the torching of buses and other properties is actually Awami League’s style of creating panic rather than BNP.

BNP as the most popular party of the country do not have any need to commit any act of intimidation because people are supporting their programs.

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THE VICTIMS The people of Bangladesh wants the punishment of the perpetrators, who burned buses and kills innocent passengers. The same applies to the opposition parties fighting for the voting rights of the people. But police and RAB are killing innocent political activists of the opposition parties rather than arrest those culprits.

Opposition political activists killed on the “Democracy Killing Day” At least four opposition activists were shot dead on January 5, 2015, the first anniversary of the controversial January-5 parliamentary polls declared as “Democracy Killing Day” by the opposition political parties. Two of them were identified as Rakib Hossain, 20, and Raihan Ali Rana, 20, both students of Natore NS Govt College.38 Both of them were pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists. The Awami League militants and police shoot them to kill attacking a procession of BNP in Natore district.39

Mojiruddin, 45, a BNP ward unit vice-president of Maria union in Charghat upazila was shot dead by the police when they intercepted a BNP procession at Baneswar Bazar, Rajshahi. Another BNP activist, Jamshed Ali, 40, son of Momtaj Ali of Shibnarayanpur was shot to dead when the police opened fire to stop a procession of BNP at Kansat-Gopalnagar intersection in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district on same day.40

Raihan Ali Rana and Rakib Hossain Mojiruddin Jamshed Ali

Trigger Happy Police Action in Noakhali At least two political activists was shot dead and 30 others injured in a clash between the police and the members of BNP-Jamaat in Chaumuhani under Begumganj upazila of Noakhali district on January 7, 2014. The deceased are shopkeeper Rubel, 30, and pedestrian Mohiuddin Baburchi, 32. Police and witnesses said activists of 20-party alliance brought out a procession at Rail Gate area around 5:15pm.

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Rubel Mohiuddin Baburchi

As the law enforcers barred them, they chased the police and police fired metal bullet to control the situation injuring 30 people! Of the injured, Rubel and Mohiuddin were declared dead when they were taken to Noakhali Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College Hospital in critical condition.41

Nightmare Noakhali A local Chhatra Dal leader of Noakhali was killed in district’s Sonaimuri upazila on 15th January night. The deceased was identified as Morshed Alam Parvez, 24, secretary of JCD ward no 3 in Sonaimuri union and son of Md Alamgir Hossain of Hasanpur village.

Locals found his bullet-ridden body lying by the roadside in Hasanpur area around 11:45pm at night. Bullet marks on his shows typical signature of so-called 'crossfire'.42

Morshed Alam Parvez

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Extra Judicial Killing of RAB at Kansat Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) killed Matiur Rahman, 22, at Kansat of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj in the early hour of January 16 2015. Motiur, son of Unsar Ali from Shibganj, was a student of Kansat Soleyman Ali Degree College and the vice-president of JCD's Shyampur union.

Motiur's father said, "Rab took him away unlawfully from an eggplant field near his house and killed him. I want justice after proper investigation."

Shahjahan Mia, president of Chapainawabganj district BNP and district coordinator of 20-party alliance, alleged Motiur was a victim of "extrajudicial killing".43

Murder in Open Daylight! A local BNP leader of Chuadanga, also a former union parishad member, was killed and two BNP men were injured in a bomb attack by Awami League millitants in Sadar upazila on January 18, 2015. The victim was identified as Sirajul Islam Siraj, 40, a former member of Shankar Chandra union and the president of the union unit BNP. The injured are: BNP activists Liton and Milon. Quoting locals, police said a group of 5-6 'miscreants' pounced on Siraj at Teen Rasta intersection on Chhoigharia-Bora Shalua road around 5pm while he along with his two companions were going towards Bora Shalua village in a motorcycle. As the trio tried to speed away, the hoodlums hurled two powerful bombs at them, leaving the ex-UP member dead on the spot and his co-riders injured.44

Sirajul Islam Siraj

Matiur Rahman

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Abduction or gunfight? Extra Judicial Killing of DB at Motijheel Jamaat leader Imrul Kayes was killed by the Detacrive Branch (DB) police in a “gunfight” in Motijheel Dhaka on January 19 2015.

Imrul Kayes was elected from Ward No 1 in Narail municipality as a councillor in 2011. He was also a local Jamaat-e-Islami leader and son of Md Anwar Hossain Molla of Dumurtala Eidgahpara in Narail town. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch Deputy Commissioner (East) Jahangir Hossain Matubbar said the shooting had taken place around 3am near Motijheel AGB Colony’s kitchen market. ‘We suspect he was involved in trouble-making during the nationwide indefinite transport blockade,’ Matubbar said. Although DB claimed that he was killed in a “gunfight,”. Although a source from the Dhaka Medical College morgue said Imrul was shot from a close range.

Imrul had come to Dhaka a few days ago to seek bail from the High Court and was staying at a relative’s place. A group of people, who said they were from DB, came to Imrul’s mess in the early hours of Saturday, January 17, 2015 and picked him up. At first they wanted to see his national ID card. After they confirmed his identity, they took him with them.

On Saturday morning, Imrul’s roommate called up his wife’s mobile phone and told her that he had been taken away. Then his relatives sent an acquaintance to the DB office in Dhaka. But DB denied knowing anything about the matter.

Around 11am of 19th January, someone called up Imrul’s wife from Imrul’s mobile phone and told her that he was severely injured in an ‘accident’ and that he was being taken to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The caller did not say who he was.45

Imrul Kayes

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Brutal Killing of Jony by 'Tony Montana' Krishnapada Roy Nuruzzaman Jony (30), General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Khilgaon unit, was abducted by DB police on January 19, 2015 from Nazimuddin Road Jail Gate. Later at night a DB team lead by Krishnapada Roy (DCDB, South) shot him 16 times in the chest and abdomen. Among them 10 bullets hit him in the chest.46

Dead body Nuruzzaman Jonny with ten bullet holes in his chest

When police shoots 16 times to kill someone- it’s not just a murder- everybody see a lot of "pleasure" and "satisfaction" in the act. It’s ‘Tony Montana’ in a uniform. And that sadist is Krishnapada Roy, the Deputy Commissioner (south) of Detective Branch.

On January 19, 2015, Jony went to to the jail gate to visit his younger brother Moniruzzaman Hira. Police allegedly picked Hira up from his house on Friday, January 16th, not finding Jonny.

His father Yakub Ali spoke with him for the last time 1:15pm on January 19th. Jony's wife, Munia Parveen Monisha, found all his four cell phones off about an hour after the conversation, and then they looked for him at every possible place. His father then

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contacted the Khilgaon police and the Detective Branch of Police, but they denied arresting him.

"The detectives who denied arresting my son on Monday night killed him just hours later" Jony's father Yakub Ali said.

Jony had not been involved in any kind of violence. Married a year back, he was a student of Habibullah Bahar College. His wife Munira Parveen is seven months pregnant.

Mother of Jony sheds tears over her son’s dead body in Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue

“What has my son done? Why is he murdered? There is no need to keep us alive. Please kill us,” his mother Nilufar Parveen told reporters at the Dhaka Medical College morgue.47

The law enforcers of this illegal government are holding encounters to murder opposition leaders and activists. The government has given these agencies the licence to kill only to stop the opposition’s ongoing movement.

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FROM BANGLADESH, WITH FEAR Joint forces’ drives started on January 15. Several hundred activists of BNP and its allies were arrested, 55 of them in Jessore, 51 in Sylhet, 22 in Narail, 19 in Kushtia, 20 in Moulvibazar, seven in Feni and five in Thakurgaon.

Law enforcers launched joint forces’ drive in Chapainawabganj and conducted drives across the country as the non-stop countrywide blockade called by the BNP-led alliance continued for the 12th day on January 16.

According to the reports from respective districts, 53 people were arrested in Rangpur, 75 in Gaibandha, 42 in Kusthia, 38 each in Bogra and Khulna, 27 in Chittagong, 25 in Chapainawabganj 19 each in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Noakhali, 18 in Sunamganj, 11 in Netrakona, 10 in Chandpur, 8 in Jaipurhat and several others in different districts.

Police detained at least 14 activists including local BNP leader Shahidul Islam and the Nishindhara union parishad chairman, raiding different parts of Bogra town.

• It was a dreadful night for Hanufa Akhter, the mother of Munsi Abdul Baten on January 16 of 2015.

Baten, a local leader of BNP youth front Jubo Dal from Chapainawabganj, went in hiding amid joint force drives in the wake of the blockade to join the movement and avoid the drive.

The joint force along with the local Awami League cadres, who are experienced in looting the villagers, surrounded the house of Baten at midnight. They stormed inside the house smashing the door.

They snaked inside every room of the house and gathered all the members present in the house- Munsi Bari.

The chief of the team asked the whereabouts of Baten to his brother Morshed, who was standing along with his mother, two sisters and his sister-in-law who had Baten’s child in her arm. Morshed was repeatedly kicked in his abdomen by the members of the force and was asked whether he knows the whereabouts of Baten.

Morshed, a student of class IX, who had no idea about his brother’s location at that time said that he is unaware of his brothers place.

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House of a Chapainawabganj BNP man after being attacked by joint force on January 16 of 2015

At the meantime, the Awami League cadres and the joint force members vandalized the house of Baten. They destroyed almost all the usable things the poor family had. They vandalized the cupboard, fridge, locker etc.

As the so called ‘operation’ was foiled, they took away Morshed. Before leaving the house they set ablaze the motorcycle of Baten.

• Besides, at least 25 activists of BNP and Jamaat were arrested in the drive of the joint forces comprised of paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion and the police in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district from January 16.

Villagers of Shibganj upazila in the district alleged that the joint forces carried out vandalism and launched arson attacks on at least 20 houses during the drive creating panic in the area.47F

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Many of the villagers were forced to spend their nights under sky.

• On 17th January evening, 15-16 women and children were seen leaving their homes for another village, Ujirpur. They said they were fearful of excesses by the joint forces during any operation.

Helpless women cry in front of her burnt house in Shibganj

Local people alleged that the troops of the joint forces raided as many as 35 houses of Mohdipur, Rasulpur and Chandipur and damaged furniture, utensils and other materials. Some Awami League activists wearing helmet joined the drive, the people claimed.

Signs of the rampage were there when a correspondent of Prothom Alo visited 16-17 houses of Mohdipur and Rasulpur on January 17. Broken television sets, furniture, ceramic items, fridges and motorbikes were seen.

• At the Mohdipur house of Nazrul Islam, also vice president of Noyalbhanga union BNP, this correspondent found that his paddy stock was burned to ashes and three of his houses were damaged.

Narzul's wife Saleya Begum alleged that the police and RAB members broke and entered the house and damaged valuables.49

• Champa Begum, wife to Yasin Ali, a welding worker of Rasulpur, said her husband was not a political activist.

The troops entered her house, damaged furniture and burned a motorbike.

• Hamida Begum, BNP activist Mominul's wife, alleged that the police damaged furniture and burned a motorbike at her house.

She said, they also threatened them, saying 'if any other vehicle is burned on the local highway, this village will no longer exist'.50

Innocents flee Chapainawabganj after joint force cracked down upon villagers51

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• The stories of agony continued in Rangpur, a district in the northern Bangladesh. Joint forces launched a campaign of terror in the district on January 15 against the so called arsonists in Rangpur.

Matwara Begum, the mother of Al-Amin Kabir from Chithli Dakshinpara village of Rangpur, met the press in the Rangpur Reporters Club on January 16.

The mother in her written statement stated the entire incident that took place in front of hundreds of villagers on January 14 with her son.

She described how her son Al-Amin Kabir, her daughter-in-law Beauty Begum and a domestic help from a nearby hostel were taken away in broad daylight in front of the villagers after a half-hour long torture on her son.

Matwara Begum expressed concern over the safety of her family members in joint force custody as she could not find her family members anywhere in Rangpur after 30 hours of the enforced disappearance of her son and her daughter-in-law.

She distributed a written statement regarding the enforced disappearance of her family members.

The magnet points of her statement is given below,

‘A group of people claiming themselves as joint force personnel last Wednesday raided her house in Chithli Dakhshinpara village in the afternoon. They dragged my son who was asleep out of the house. They started beating him ruthlessly in front of hundreds of villagers.’

‘Then they took my son Al-Amin Kabir, tying his mouth and eyes with black stuffs. Along with my son they took his wife Beauty Begum and a maid Moushumi who used to work in the nearby hostel.’51F

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‘After being taken, I got news from various sources that he was shot in his legs. The officials were also threatening him of “crossfire”.’

Matwara Begum reading addressing the journlaists in Rangpur

‘30 hours have passed after the incident took place. I have searched for son and my daughter-in-law, in the Rangpur Court, Kotwali Police Station, Mithapukur Police Station, Rangpur Medical College and many other places, but could not find them.’

‘I beg for my son’s life. I want my son and her wife back at any cost.’

On the other hand, the police of the area expressed their ignorance about such incident in that village. They also said that they have no information regarding the arrest of ‘any’ Al-Amin Kabir or Beauty Begum from Mithapukur.

Though the police denied of their arrests, the local correspondents of various newspapers confirmed that the joint force rounded up more than fifty individuals.

Of 450 people rounded up in the joint force drives in various districts, 53 people were arrested in Rangpur according to national daily, New Age. They were never produced before the court.

The people of Bangladesh are fleeing for fear of the carnage of the Joint Forces (Police, RAB and BGB). Where will they flee to escape? In 1971, there was an option to cross the border. Now the BSF guards the border as the angel of death and BGB is chasing behind as slayer.

Innocents flee Chapainawabganj after joint force cracked down upon villagers53

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CONCLUSION It is now common knowledge that the law enforcement authorities have resorted to random extra judicial killings under direct orders from Sheikh Hasina's regime. The main perpetrators in this heinous are RAB and police. A glaring example of this is Nuruzzaman Joni, who was picked up by DB on 19th January, kept in DB custody for the day and then killed by police in Khilgaon. There have been many more such incidents.

It is also reported that Sheikh Hasina's regime is planning to launch a nationwide combing operation against BNP leaders, workers and supporters using the police, RAB and BGB. It is feared that such an operation will be ruthless and will most certainly lead to indiscriminate killings of many.

As it is, the chiefs of Police, RAB and BGB have shamelessly shown their partisan state of mind. All of them have publicly spoken out in highly politically charged and partisan language. This is in clear violation of their professional responsibilities and the charter of their duties. Such conduct by the state's law enforcement apparatus will only further aggravate the fast worsening human rights and political situation in Bangladesh.

All those who wish well for the people of Bangladesh must raise their voice against such repressive measures.

The prevailing crisis in Bangladesh is a political one and must be resolved politically, not by the brute use of force. The need of the hour is a political consensus through serious and meaningful dialogue leading to a free, fair and participatory election without any further delay.

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REFERENCES

1 Marie Harf, Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson | www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/01/219331.htm 2 Polarization, Poor Turnout Mar Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh | www.un.org/press/en/2014/sgsm15572.doc.htm 3 No chance for dialogue with BNP, says Nasim | newagebd.net/20599/no-chance-for-dialogue-with-bnp-says-nasim/ 4 Report: 128 crossfires, 88 disappearances in 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/dec/31/report-128-crossfire-88-disappeared-2014 5 Report: 128 crossfires, 88 disappearances in 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/dec/31/report-128-crossfire-88-disappeared-2014 6 Report: 128 crossfires, 88 disappearances in 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/dec/31/report-128-crossfire-88-disappeared-2014 7Khaleda puts seven-point plan before govt for an early election | bdnews24.com/politics/2014/12/31/khaleda-puts-seven-point-plan-before-govt-for-an-early-election 8 AL leaders lambast Khaleda over ‘dialogue’ proposal | www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=242931:al-leaders-lambast-khaleda-over-dialogue-proposal 9 ‘Joint drives’ ordered to maintain order | http://newagebd.net/86557/joint-drives-ordered-to-maintain-order 10 Operation ‘Dhoro’ netting top BNP-Jamaat leaders | http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2015/jan/07/operation-%E2%80%98dhoro%E2%80%99-netting-top-bnp-jamaat-leaders 11Badal suggests cops shoot BNP men | www.thedailystar.net/badal-suggests-cops-shoot-bnp-men-59753 12 BGB: Time to think if we should open fire to stop arsonists | http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/j

an/16/bgb-time-think-if-we-should-open-fire-stop-arsonists 13 BNP, allies enforce hartal | newagebd.net/86901/3-more-arson-victims-die/ 14 Khaleda to be tried for killing people: PM, Calls upon AL men to form bodies to resist anarchy | http://www.thedailystar.net/khaleda-to-be-tried-for-killing-people-pm-60862 15 Arsonists will be shot on sight: Mohsin | http://www.thedailystar.net/arsonists-will-be-shot-on-sight-mohsin-60842 16 Worst ever pre-hartal violence in city: 10 burnt alive as AL pickets torch bus | web.archive.org/web/20051118133927/http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/9669 17 Roasted passenger's body found | archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/24/d40824012222.htm 18 51 BRTC buses damaged during hartals in 3 yrs | web.archive.org/web/20041204031453/http://www.newagebd.com/front.html 19 Two BCL activists held | www.rtnn.net/bangla//newsdetail/detail/1/4/98130 20 ‘Bomb thrower’ shot by police | www.thedailystar.net/bomb-thrower-shot-by-police-60689 21 Awami League activists’ carrying guns arrested near PM’s rally | www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2015/jan/13/‘awami-league-activists’-carrying-guns-arrested-near-pm’s-rally 22 Arrested as Militant, Released as Awami League Leader | http://mzamin.com/details.php?mzamin=NTg4MjA= 23 AL man convicted in violence | www.banglamail24.com/news/2015/01/19/id/131798/ 24 Cocktails hurled near AL office | http://www.samakal.net/2015/01/10/110840 25 Blasts in front of AL central office | bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/01/10/blasts-in-front-of-al-central-office

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26 3 arsonists arrested in city | http://www.ittefaq.com.bd/print-edition/first-page/2015/01/08/24714.html 27 3 arsonists arrested in city | http://www.ittefaq.com.bd/print-edition/first-page/2015/01/08/24714.html 28 3 arsonists arrested in city | http://www.ittefaq.com.bd/print-edition/first-page/2015/01/08/24714.html 29 AL leader’s wife hurt in Bogra crude bomb blast | unb.com.bd/blast-injury-2 30 BCL torch IU bus again | www.ittefaq.com.bd/wholecountry/2014/12/04/7934.html 31 BCL men held while torching buses | http://tinyurl.com/Prothom-Alo-BCL-arson 32 BCL men torch teachers’ bus | http://www.bdinn.com/news/no-classes-at-cu-bcl-men-torch-teachers-bus/ 33 No classes at CU, BCL men torch teachers' bus | archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=135160 34 Fresh bid to torch CU bus | archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=135383 35 BCL men sued for torching MC College hostel | http://www.bdinn.com/news/bcl-men-sued-for-torching-mc-college-hostel/ 36 Bangladesh issues ex-PM warrant | news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6580831.stm 37 Sheikh Selim Confesses Setting Fire on Bus | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evqoQgIVeWU 38 4 killed as violence erupts in districts | http://www.thedailystar.net/4-killed-as-violence-erupts-in-districts-58520 39 Attack on BNP procession in Natore, 2 killed | http://www.risingbd.com/english/detailsnews.php?nssl=21072 40 4 killed as violence erupts in districts | http://www.thedailystar.net/4-killed-as-violence-erupts-in-districts-58520 41 2 killed in Noakhali police-BNP-Jamaat clash |

http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2015/jan/07/2-killed-30-injured-noakhali-clash 42 Chhatra Dal leader killed in Noakhali | http://www.thedailystar.net/chhatra-dal-leader-killed-in-noakhali-60253 43 JCD leader killed in 'gunfight' | http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/jcd-leader-killed-in-gunfight-60294 44 BNP leader killed in Chuadanga | http://www.thedailystar.net/bnp-leader-killed-in-chuadanga-60560 45 Jamaat man killed in ‘crossfire’ was wanted in Narail | http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2015/jan/20/jamaat-man-killed-%E2%80%98crossfire%E2%80%99-was-wanted-narail 46 ‘Gunfight’ With DB Another JCD leader killed | http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/another-jcd-leader-killed-60908 47 Jony ‘confesses,’ then gets killed | http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/jan/21/jony-%E2%80%98confesses%E2%80%99-then-gets-killed 48 2 JCD men killed, 450 arrested as joint drives launched |newagebd.net/87077/2-jcd-men-killed-450-arrested-as-joint-drives-launched/ 49 Panicked people flee C'ganj villages | en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/58075/Panicked-people-flee-C-ganj-villages 50 Panicked people flee C'ganj villages | en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/58075/Panicked-people-flee-C-ganj-villages 51 Joint forces panic Shibganj | http://goo.gl/VRbguk 52 Mother wants her son back | www.natunbarta.com/outside-dhaka/2015/01/16/114078 53 People leaving the village afraid joint force operation | http://goo.gl/2NRxfM

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