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The 8/17 blasts: No chance for justice to act on Islamic goons Published on April 02, 2006 As of late, Bangladesh has become a safe haven for the Islamic fundamentalists under the aegis of government of the four-party alliance consisting mainly of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), and Islami Unity Council (Islami Oykko Jote or IOJ)). The major party BNP is the patron and the sustainer of all the fundamentalist parties including JI and IOJ in Bangladesh. After the independence in December 1971, the then government formed by Awami League (AL) under the leadership of Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman banned all these Islamic parties to pave the way for Bangladesh to grow as a modern, non-communal, progressive and secular country in the world. Unfortunately, the killing of Bongobondhu by the killers and conspirators such as the military dictator Gen. Ziaur Rahman created a vacuum of leadership in the area of secular politics in Bangladesh. Later, the tragic killing of four national leaders (belonging to AL) created more vacuum in the area of secular front in Bangladesh. It is hard to believe that a lower ranking army major in 1971 became the President in 1976 and issued proclamation after proclamation under martial law to change the secular character of the constitution. The banned Islamic political parties such as JI and many others like them came back through the patronization of the founder of BNP, the military dictator Gen. Ziaur Rahman. Currently, the party BNP under the leadership of the wife Mrs. Khaleda Zia of the deceased dictator is ruling Bangladesh by sharing power with JI and IOJ. There are a number of Islamic fundamentalist organizations (both political and non-political) now exist in Bangladesh that share the same philosophy with JI and IOJ. So, the other Islamic organization including the underground ones are the natural allies of the current government of BNP-JI-IOJ. In the past, the patron BNP used to come forward to give protection to the fundamentalists in Bangladesh. The last government under AL emphasized the need to focus on the problem of fundamentalism by acknowledging their existence in Bangladesh. It is important to refresh our memory that the leaders of BNP then used to ridicule and downplay the existence of the fundamentalists as claimed by the last government under Sheikh Hasina. By doing this, they (BNP and their fundamentalist allies) encouraged the extremists to carry out attacks mainly on AL and other secular cultural organizations. Immediately after taking over power in late October 2001, the coalition government of the fundamentalist parties (BNP-JI-IOJ) used to be outrageous against any criticism of the fundamentalist parties. They provided all sorts of cover up and direct protection in the name of protecting the image of the country. Their inaction and protection allowed the Islamic fundamentalists to organize and continue their murderous activities more frequently. The latest one is very severe that goes to show how organized they have become under the protection of their patrons BNP-JI-IOJ. They demonstrated their ability to attack the whole of Bangladesh synchronously. Be mindful that the poisonous venom of the fundamentalists have not grown in a short period of time. It was reported that almost all of the fundamentalist cadres captured by the former AL government were released and the cases against them were withdrawn. In essence, the Islamist goons received impunity from the present government. The government has stopped the trial on Udichi murder, Ramna killing, Kotalipara bombs, Narayanganj bomblasts, etc. Some of these cases were investigated and the culprits were under custody. However, the present government chose to give cover up and protection to the fundamentalists. They released almost all of them. As mentioned earlier, the military dictator Gen. Zia chose to create and revive them. His wife Mrs. Zia has chosen to let them grow through the protection of the government under her party BNP in alliance with JI, and IOJ. The government under the leadership of duo Mrs. Zia and war criminal Razakar Maulana Nizami did not bother even to investigate the Jihadists, who were reported to come to Bangladesh after they lost their paradise in Afghanistan. The government decided not to go after the main criminals and perpetrators behind the arms smuggling, last year�s grenade attack on AL chief, killing of former finance minister Mr. Kibria, etc. They gave protection to Bangla Bhai and allowed his Jihadi killings by denying even his existence. These are just a few blatant examples of the government's inaction and giving cover up/protection to the jihadi Islamic fundamentalists. Under pressure, they acted one time by arresting a few of the fundamentalist goons and banning their organizations. However, most of the newspapers reported that it was nothing but an arranged fiasco. Now, after the 8/17 blasts it is a
dangerous situation in Bangladesh. Indeed, what has happened is beyond
anyone's imagination. None thought that the terrorists would be doing to
such a level throughout Bangladesh just on a single day almost at a precise
time. Yesterday (August 17), the government spokesmen were trying to divert
and/or cover up despite the claims of the fundamentalists through their
leaflets. To Jamaat and BNP, AL is the main enemy. They have been busy all
these years to squeeze AL and protect the fundamentalists. So far, AL paid a
heavy price under the attacks of diehard fundamentalists, BNP, and company.
This time around, the pet snakes of BNP have expressed their anger for not
implementing Sha�ria through their leaflets. They have claimed the
responsibility for the blasts. However, as of yesterday, the government was
not willing to blame the fundamentalists. This role of the government has
frustrated even the politicians like Mr. Hasanul Haque Inu, Mr. Rashed Khan
Menon, et al. They are now blaming the BNP-Jamaat-IOJ government for the
present acts of terrorism. I understand how difficult the job has become for the law enforcement agencies. A few of them are sincere to get rid of the fundamentalists in the country. But they cannot extend their investigation beyond a certain limit. Dr. Humayun Azad died a year ago as a broken-hearted person because of attack on him by the fundamentalist goons. The killer Maulanas threatened him even in the parliament. Could the investigating officer interrogate those Maulanas? Did the government try to find the goons who tried to slash the throat of the renowned professor? It is in vain to ask the present government consisting of the fundamentalist parties for bringing the culprits and their fundamentalist godfathers into justice. The law enforcement agencies have captured a number of low-level fundamentalists. They have acted due to the severity of the present condition. The government will pass the peak hot period and then gradually they will throw the process of investigation into the cold storage as they have done before. The charade will continue ad infinitum. It would be a matter of joy if this were not true but the past activities of the present government would not make even a naive person to be optimistic. This government has eroded their credibility through their own actions of denial of the existence of the fundamentalists, suppression of the facts, and collaboration with the disgruntled Islamic extremists. We should not be too optimistic about the government of Khaleda Zia becoming sincere about rounding up the Islamist criminals lest she lose the election that is looming in the horizon. ---------------- |
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