“Stemming the rise of islamic extremism in Bangladesh” is it the hidden facts in BDR ‘mutiny’ on February 25?
Mohammad Nasir Uddin
The recent BDR ‘mutiny’ on February 25, 2009 is a sad chapter in history of Bangladesh. Many questions are being raised about the Peelkhana massacre and the masterminds behind the tragedy. It is very unlikely that this kind of thing happened spontaneously - there must be more than what just meets the eyes. A large number of high level army officers were killed in a brutal way and it cannot happen without premeditation. We condemn these acts of barbarity in strongest terms and convey our wholehearted sympathy to the family and friends of the victims. The nation is still in a state of shock and mourning. Are there conspiracies behind this foreign or domestic? Who are the brains behind such a big uprising? Who provided intelligence, logistics and money? The question is: after the revolt began, could there be ways to handle it more effectively?
The problems are deep-rooted. However, it is quite clear by now that the massacre is not the instantaneous action of few individuals but the result of a sophisticated ‘commando operation’ executed by the agents of powerful conspirators to destabilise Bangladesh as a state and demobilise its defence and security branches. The long-term objectives were and still remain to push the country towards a civil war situation, to cripple its own defence capabilities and create another Iraq or Afghanistan! In other words, cripple Bangladesh by all possible means so that at one stage it is forced to ‘invite foreign saviours’. It will be manifested from next discussion.
It should be started form an article published in The Harvard International Review on November 19, 2008 entitled of “Stemming the rise of islamic extremism in Bangladesh” by Sajeeb A. Wazed and Carl J. Ciovacco. Sajeeb A. Wazed has given his identity as an adviser to Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and President of the Awami League, the largest and oldest political party in Bangladesh. He has been a key negotiator for the Awami League on several occasions, most recently in the negotiations for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh with the present military government. Elaborate criticism had been made be renowned columnist Forhad Mazhar before December election (Naya Diganta, 5.11.2008) and predicted some to be happened in Bangladesh soon. Another columnist Mokarram Hossain (http://www.sonarbangladesh.com/article.php?ID=609,1.12.2008, 1.3.2009) has attempted to find the relationships of recent BDR mutiny with this article. Highlights that will be helpful to realize the recent incident are quoted.
1. ‘The alliance of anti-liberationists, JI, and the BNP has also had direct and indirect involvement with Islamic fundamentalist groups that masterminded 500 coordinated bombings across Bangladesh in 2005. This display of terror was an attempt to showcase their growing power. These shadow groups, namely Jamat-ul Mujahid Bangladesh (JMB), Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMB) and Harkatul Jihad (HuJi), have been the militant arm of JI. They overtly denounce the Constitution and seek to replace democracy and secularism with a governing construct based on Sharia Law.’
2. ‘Islamic extremism is also on the rise in Bangladesh because of the growing numbers of Islamists in the military. The Islamists cleverly began growing their numbers within the Army by training for the Army Entrance Exams at madrassas. Before this madrassa Entrance Exam campaign, only 5 percent of military recruits came from madrasses in 2001. By 2006, at the end of the BNP’s reign, madrassas supplied nearly 35 percent of the Army recruits. In a country that has seen four military coup d’états in its short 37 year history, the astronomical growth of Islamists in the military is troubling to say the least.’
3. ‘Can the Awami League stop the growing tide of Islamism in a country that has seen the sale of burkas rise nearly 500 percent in the last five years? The answer is yes if it implements the following secular renewal plan.’
Both the columnists cited this article as research paper from Joy’s thesis though it is published in a university magazine. Surprisingly there are no references or proofs in favour of his reports, which lakes to be a research paper or thesis. Islamic view.com comments like “What do you think of the future of Bangladesh after reading this long stupid thesis?”
One of the points of Secular Plan proposed is that it must attempt to rehabilitate known extremist clerics from military. This de-radicalization plan has great potential for success. And for this reasons Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League should win December election for the Islamism to be averted author stated in article. As mentioned before author is known as a key negotiator for the Awami League recently in the negotiations for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh with the present military government. It was stated before election so no doubt the great victory of Awami League is the result of the negotiation. Chief of Jatyo party H. M. Ershad, member of mega alliance, recently disclosed that without assistance of army the victory of Awami League was not possible (Daily Amardesh, 03.03.2009). It is the first step for the implementation of secular plan, which should be kept in mind to realize the root of the BDR mutiny.
Role of Indian media: While the whole country is passing through a terrible shock and trying to recover from the trauma, it is quite disheartening to observe that some Indian quarters and their Bangladeshi cohorts are carrying out a campaign of ‘rumors’ and ‘unsubstantiated news’ regarding the Peelkhana tragedy. As soon as the news of the BDR revolt started to filter out of Peelkhana, a New Delhi based news agency CNN-IBN carried a ‘story’ about the involvement of some opposition political parties including Bangladesh Jamat-e-Islami in the revolt. Similar ‘stories’ were also carried in the pro-BJP Bangla daily ‘Anandabazar Potrika’ of Kolkata. During the last five days, about twenty such ‘news’ items and articles have been published in different Indian media outlets. But the question arises: how the Anandabazar journalists ‘know’ so much inside information that even the Dhaka journalists do not know? One Indian security analyst, B. Raman, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai, has alleged that BDR has ‘unfriendly attitude’ towards India and that many of them have links with ‘fundamentalist and jihadi elements’.
Role of Indian government: According to a report in the Telegraph (Calcutta), the Indian government is ready to send ‘peace-keepers’ into Bangladesh if the government requests for such ‘help’. This sort of Indian offer for ‘help’ looks suspicious since Bangladesh does not need any help from Indian military to solve its internal problems. It is also strange that despite the US support to Hasina government’s handling of the Peelkhana crisis, one Indian report suggests that ‘the US too is encouraging India to play a stabilising role in the region’. 28th February Anadabazar Patrika of Kolkata and Telegraph (daily) quoted a highly placed source of their own of the Indian Government that it stated to have asked Dhaka to agree to have Special Indian force security guard for the Kolkata-Dhaka two day weekly train service, MOITRY EXPRESS, for replacement of the BDR guard in the train in Bangladesh territory. While sympathy in the BDR matter may well be appreciable, the fact remains that any such move in the internal matter of Bangladesh would not only be unacceptable but also be considered as disgustful rotten design behind the whole make up. Because, there is always some genuine apprehension in Bangladesh that India is hardly trust worthy for her continuing own design of hegemony against all neighbors. Another funny matter is that Indian government has given offer to assist with money to solve the BDR demand. There was a joint program with BDR and BSF scheduled to be held on 23 February, interestingly BSF refused to participate. Thereafter BSF increased their security in border in very beginning of 25 February. Was there any information of this mutiny to BSF, how?
Government negotiation and a number of questions: Political solution by government negotiation was good idea, but what results did we achieve. Why Prime minster selected two unfair and inexperienced persons like Jahangir Kabir Nanok (State Minister, LGRD) and Mirza Azam MP (Chief Whip) accompanying two other female MPs. Was it considered as so light crisis, actually no? It is the first question of hidden facts in side mutiny. RAB arrived at Peelkhana gate at about 10 am and was ready to move in. Troops of Mirpur and Dhaka Cantt. arrived at Peelkhana by 11:30 am. They seeked permission to go in. Home Ministry said a stubborn "No" as reported an e-mail from army in BD news. At 4:30 pm, army tanks were ready to go in, briefing done, again a big "No". The army was told to go 3 km away from Peelkhana. Govt. negotiators entered courageously into BDR Peelkhana and safely come back and they were not held hostage. At night home minister Sahara Khatun and Nanok entered BDR and all lights were off. Sahara visited families of army officers without Nanok, she didn’t meet any army BDR officer as seen on TV channels through BTV footage. Media telecasted live sound of firing from inside Peelkhana when Sahara was inside. Sahara did not mention anything about the BDR officers inside, also she denied confessing the firing during her stay inside. This is because at that time BDR was completing the total killing to alive officers. Was it under of eyes of Nanok, and massive graves were being prepared, which can be referred to the NTV exclusive with major Mokarram on 28th evening. It is also claimed that 32 killers were taken away by non-military ambulances that entered and left Peelkhana a number of times. Home minister and Nanak arranged the safe exit of all mutineers from Peelkhana throughout the night. Only about 57 officers were killed in our War of Liberation 1971, and our own ministers and MPs ensured that more than 63 officers inside were killed in about 24 hours!!!
Nanok in a media briefing declared that "It was a big conspiracy and lac lac crore taka were distributed in Peelkhana." Now it is disclosed from the media reports that he was right because each DAD working in Peelkhana tragedy got Tk. 25 lac between 22 and 24th February, distributed by Nanok's men. It is reported that Nanak and DAD Tauheed who are classmates had been communicating each other for last 1 month plus. It is also reported in news papers that 110 times were contacted from the same mobile number with DAD Tauheed. There was a report that 50 BDR soldiers met a meeting in a garment on 23 February. Who were the activists made demonstration in presence of govt. ministers, MPs, armed forces without any interfere shouting “Joy Bangla Joy Bangabondhu”. It is claimed that these processions entered Peelkhana several times and made opportunity to fly away the revellers. Negotiation was time spending and out looking? Nanak went with a team of 14 BDR soldiers to the PMs residence. Surprisingly their name and identity were not enlisted. So, it should be final, but how they dare denying PMs decision. Was it necessary to continue three times negotiation with them without taking massive action?
It is now revealed by eye-witness account of a surviving army officer that the murder campaign was initiated by a group of about 12-14 young people who arrived at the Peelkhana Durbar Hall in an arms loaded pick-up van NOT belonging to the BDR. It is also clear the whole episode of the officers’ massacre was completed in about 1-2 hours and that delaying tactics were then adopted to bury or hide most of the dead bodies and for the ring leaders to escape. This was no ordinary operation; it must have been carried out by a highly trained, professional groups.
PMs role a vital question: Government knew the extent of the killings soon enough. After the shooting started around 9:30 am, one of the officers present, a Major Zayedi who luckily was saved, called Maj Gen (Rtd.) Tarique Siddik, the prime ministers security adviser and described the scene. Most important matter overlooked is the DGs prayer to PMs. DG informed her whole situation and prime minister also assured him to send army soon. In reference to Major Zayedi news papers reported that DG called to prime minister and begged prayer by the words, please convince them and ask them not to shoot, instead of saying we are attacked and take action. It is the vital question that how PMs can convince them, asks them not to shoot. What that means DGs identified the mutineers and informed PMs or did he suppose that PM knew them and the matter. The fact will never be out because DG is no more. It is obviously true that it is the main reason for which his wife, body guard and even his guests, retired army officer and his wife, were killed by mutineers if by chance they were informed any information by DG. Why steps were slow and steady? PMs deadline should be declared by the 2 pm of first day of mutiny.
Prime minister present performance: BNP leader Khaleda Zia made a mild criticism as she was not called though she was ready to cooperate considering as a national issue. But she was immediately criticised by PMs saying that it was not the marriage ceremony of her son or daughter as if it a matter of fun. It is mentioned that PMs didn’t forget to discuss with Pronob Mukarji, foreign minister of India. Noteworthy that prime minister called him first instead of nation at the midnight of the December election as to express her gratefulness. Was there any miracle behind the great victory of Awami League performed by India so that she had to do so? PM also teased opposition party’s questions that she heard same demands from cantonment expressing her mind against army. Prime minister replied a question of opposition that there was electricity in Peelkhana at the night of mutiny, but it was well established that it was false. Opposition party demanded to form an investigation committee from parliamentary members but it was rejected by the government.
It is very unfortunate that Bangladesh is perhaps the only country in the world where some influential media and public figures always condemn their own government, army and security forces (even if they do it right) and find no fault in the actions of Indian government and BSF (even if they are wrong). Some of these misguided elements and agents have even written newspaper articles arguing that ‘Bangladesh does not need any army’.
Two investigations have started almost simultaneously to enquire into the horrifying mutiny by some elements of BDR in Peelkhana on 25 and 26 February. One has been launched by the army headed by a Lieutenant General and comprising army officials with their own terms of reference. But that need be reinforced by another high powered independent judicial committee inquiry composed by retired judges of the High Court to separately sort out the issues involved into the whole matter. The enquiry committee formed by the government earlier has been slightly amended and a new chairman former secretary Mr. Anisujjaman, ex-adviser for agri- and food of BAL led govt. during 1996, has been appointed with three representatives from the armed forces and concerned secretaries from the ministers as members. How far the committee is acceptable whereas one of the members, Mr. Golam Hossain, additional secretary of home ministry, was directly involved with Chatroleague during his student life? CID officer investigation in charge, ASP Abdul Kahhar Akondh, was dismissed from his job by previous govt. and he was recently reappointed as contact base by the mercy of current govt. What will be fate of investigation and what is its motive? Committees would carry out thorough investigations into the whole conspiracy against the country’s sovereign existence. It is a crime against Bangladesh itself, and should be treated as such. The investigations must be based on concrete evidences and facts, to find out the truth, to expose the traitors, foreign agents and infiltrators, and to punish the culprits. It is ironic also as we are never able to properly identify any of the similar acts in the past.
In conclusion, the consecutive incidents are quite consistent with the so called secular plan and these are a part of its implementation! If so all attempts might be useless but a drama. And a great number of BDR soldiers who were compelled to take arms or were not involved at all will be accused, and actual culprits will be out of touch. Prime minister already charged not to arrest any person except BDR members. So what about the well trained out coming revellers took part and controlled whole mutiny? They are actually already saved and reported that most of them crossed the border. Five mutineers including DAD Tauheed have been arrested. Some of alleged mutineers claimed although they were not involved in the mutiny, they were arrested. One of them were on one month leave and other one was discharged from his service long before. Mokarram Hossain (http://www.sonarbangladesh.com/article.php?ID=609, 1.12.2008, 1.3.2009) in his articles with elaborate discussion attempted to explain the situation as the master planned, he compared the author of the so called thesis as the Ahmed Salabi of Iraq. Ahmed Salabi who is known as the Mir-Zafor of Iraq created the ground for American attack. History will prove who will be the second Mir-Zafor of Bangladesh. Unfortunately nobody knows what will happen in the fate of future Bangladesh.
Author: Ph D Student, Greece, e-mail: mnasir@chem.auth.gr
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