Deteriorating Political Situation in Bangladesh

Two types of fear have been expressed involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Begum Khaleda Zia. Apprehensions have been expressed that Begum Khaleda Zia might be arrested. And if this happens, a big disaster might loom large in the political sky of the country. Moreover, a fear has been expressed over the life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both the fears have been expressed by senior leaders of the two major parties led by the two women leaders of the country.
Country's Political Arena
People ranging from politically conscious individuals to common masses have become worried as apprehensions were expressed about the two prime leaders of the country's political arena. Because these two women leaders are controlling the country's politics. Everything in the country is dependent on the two leaders. And as a result, the fears about the two leaders have crated unease and anxiety among different quarters.
Political parties under the leadership of the main opposition party -- the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- have already announced that they would build a tougher movement in the streets after the upcoming Id on the issues of price hiking of commodities, deterioration of law and order, gas, electricity and water crises, dilapidated condition of roads and highways across the country and signing of secret deals with India.
The leaders from different rallies and meetings have announced that this government will be dislodged from power through a tougher movement under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In the wake of this, BNP leaders allege, the government is conspiring to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia in connection with a case relating to misappropriation fund of Zia Charitable Trust.
Anticountry Agreement
At first BNP Standing Committee Member Goeshwar Chnadra Roy at a discussion meeting at the National Press Club said the government was conspiring to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia. He said that the government signed anticountry agreement with New Delhi during Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh. He said that the government was planning to arrest the opposition leader so that the people of the country could not build movement to resist the agreements against national interest under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. According to him, the government is planning to arrest her to appease India.
Subsequently many senior BNP leaders have also alleged that the government is conspiring to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia. Issuing an warning in this regard, Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal president said, "The government will not be able to detain Begum Khaleda Zia in any prison of the country. If Khaleda Zia is arrested, this government will be ousted from power through a tougher mass movement."
Spreading Violence
A severe reaction was created in the political arena following expression of apprehension about the arrest of Begum Khaleda Zia. The BNP is taking preparations for building movement in the streets in the event of the government taking such a step. Political analysts believe the ongoing movement against the government might turn violent if Khaleda Zia is arrested.
Meanwhile, a more serious matter of concern than the arrest of the opposition leader and spreading of violence out of the event has been expressed by the ruling Awami League General Secretary and Local Government Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and Prime Minister's Education Adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed.
Ashraful Islam has disclosed a more direct apprehension in this regard. At a discussion meeting he said a conspiracy has begun in the country to kill Prime Minster and Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina. He disclosed the apprehension at a discussion meeting organized by the Awami League at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital Dhaka.
The discussion was organized under the chairmanship of Awami League Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury on the occasion of the 21 August 2004 Grenade attack. At the meeting Syed Ashraful Islam said a conspiracy was being hatched to prepare the grounds for killing Sheikh Hasina through destabilizing the country's situation. He said grounds were also prepared in 1975 through various conspiracies to kill Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Describing the recent movement of the opposition parties as the conspiracy to prepare the ground for killing Sheikh Hasina, Ashraful said we admit the rise in the price hike of essentials and dilapidated condition of roads and highways in the country. But a quarter is out to create an anarchic situation on the issues to destabilize the country.
Conspiracies Hatched
The Awmi League Leader said repeated conspiracies were hatched in the past to kill Sheikh Hasina and the conspiracies are still going on. He said we have to protect Sheikh Hasina. For this reason, he said, the leaders and workers of the Awami League will have to face the situation in a united way.
The minister has termed as 'part of the conspiracy' the publication of articles in different media that Bangladesh needed anti-corruption personality like Anna Hazare of India. He said some newspapers are searching for Anna Hazare. He said some of the TV channels are presenting events smearing color to create a destabilizing situation in the country. This is also part of the conspiracy so that the conspirators get the chance to kill Sheikh Hasina.
Syed Ashraful Islam said a particular quarter is searching for Anna Hazare in Bangladesh with an ill motive. He said our country has a government, the parliament and democracy. He wanted to know whether the government here is plunged into so deep in corruption. The minister said the government has not committed such crimes that warrants searching for an Anna Hazare in this country.
Syed Ashraful Islam also considers as part of the conspiracy the uproar created within the ruling party in the wake of failures of the government in different sectors. He urged the party leaders and workers to remain vigilant against the conspiracies and said a conspiracy is being hatched to crate division in the Awami League. The local government minister said attempt are being made to create deficiency in confidence among us.
He said a particular quarter is trying to reap benefit after creating division and conflicts between leaders and leaders, MPs and MPs and the party and the government.
Issuing a note of warning to the Awami League leaders and workers, Syed Ashraful Islam said still we have time to forge unity. It will not do if we allow ourselves drifting away. Sharing of power is not our main target.
National Interests
In this regard, Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr Tareq Shamsur Rahman said recently that the apprehension expressed by the senior leaders of the two parties about the two top women leaders is a matter of concern. It will not be in the interest of the country if anything bad happens to any one of the two leaders.
Shamsur Rahman said lawsuits have been filed against the leader of the opposition party. He said a severe agitation will spread among millions of BNP workers and supporters if she is arrested. And this will make violent the ongoing movement against the government. He said none is expecting such a situation in the country.
However, a serious anxiety has been created in the wake of apprehension expressed by important ministers of the government and the ruling party general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam about the plot to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said the minister should present before the nation the conspiracy of the killing the Prime Minister. He also called for taking necessary measures to unearth the conspiracy to kill the prime minister. Because, he said the lack of security of life of the prime minister is very damaging for the country.

Hillary Clinton To Visit Bangladesh in 2012

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has agreed to visit Bangladesh in 2012. The schedule of the visit is yet to be finalized. Hillary Clinton will visit Bangladesh at a time convenient to her. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has disclosed this information. She made the disclosure at a press conference at Bangladesh Mission at the UN Headquarters. She was addressing the press conference after presentation of Bangladesh's proposal to a UN committee on the country's maritime disputes with Burma.
Dr Dipu Moni said she had personal talks with Hillary Clinton. She had given a commitment to visit Bangladesh in the next year. The foreign minister said the matter will be made public after fixation of the schedule of the visit.
On a question whether Bangladesh prime minister has a chance to visit Washington, Dr Dipu Moni said: "Not at this moment, but talks are being held on the issue."
About Bangladesh's maritime disputes with Burma, the foreign minister at the conference said, "We have various technical points in support of our claims. Bangladesh has been demanding 850 nautical miles of the continental shelf." She expressed the hope that the issue will be resolve in the next year with mediation of the United Nations.
Country's Maritime Disputes
About the raising of country's maritime disputes with India at the UN committee, Dr Dipu Moni said, "The issue is likely to be raised by 2014." She expressed the hope that the disputes with Burma will be solved before that.
The foreign minister alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance government during their tenure did not take any step to solve this problem. But she said this was a big issue of Bangladesh's national interest and security. Dr Dipu Moni said such big initiatives are often taken when Awami League is in power. And this is the history.
National Interest
He said Bangladesh will be owner of a big area in the sea if Dhaka's proposal is accepted at the UN committee. She said the country could get an area almost equal to its territory in the sea. In addition, she said that Bangladesh would get the chance of extracting invaluable mineral resources.
About the Tipaimukh Dam, the foreign minister said, "India has assured of us that they will not do anything detrimental to Bangladesh's interest.
Former Navy Chief Khurshed Alam and Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Abdul Momen were present at the news conference.

Unilateral Amendment to Bangladesh Constitution

The Constitution of Bangladesh has been amended by bringing extensive changes. In absence of the boycotting opposition MPs and in defiance of their dissent on the issue, the ruling party, by dint of its absolute majority, has passed the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. One independent Member of Parliament voted against the bill but it was passed with 291 votes.
Many fundamental changes have been made through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. The provision of non-party caretaker government (made through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in parliament in 1996) has been abolished.
Basic Principles
The four basic principles of the 1972 constitution have been restored. The word 'Allah' has been removed in the translation of Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Islam has been retained as the state religion in the preamble of the constitution. 'Absolute Faith and Trust in God' has been removed from the constitution by the 15th amendment. The speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971, declaration of independence of March 26, 1971 and the proclamation of independence declared at Mujibnagar on April 10, 1971 have been incorporated in the constitution. It proposes insertion of a new Article 7A that says any unconstitutional seizure of state power should be considered treason and persons involved should be tried on sedition charges. The number of reserved parliament seats has been raised to 50 (from 40). The name of the Father of the Nation has been recognized in the constitution. Provision has been made not to immediately challenge the decision of the Election Commission in the court. It proposes amendment to Article 66 barring from contesting parliamentary polls a person who 'has been convicted of any offence under the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunals) Order 1972.'
Through passing the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution in a hurried manner and ignoring the opinions of the opposition parties, the Awami League government has set the second example after establishing one-party BKSAL (Bangladesh Krishak Sramil Awami League) rule (in 1975). By bringing fundamental changes through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution without holding referendum, the nation has been divided again. Clash will become inevitable. Through unilateral amendment to the constitution, the way to dialog has been closed.
Caretaker Government System
The opposition parties, political leaders having different opinions and eminent intellectuals see this amendment as a disgraceful chapter in the history of the country. The non-party caretaker government system for holding national polls was established on the basis of a national consensus. So abolition of this system on a flimsy ground has stopped the way to peaceful transfer of power. This has made the path of development of democratic process, transfer or change of power problem-ridden.
The main opposition party -- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- has said that the solemn honor of the constitution as the document of the nation's aspiration has been lowered; now it (constitution) has become a party manifesto of the Bangladesh Awami League after its latest 15th Amendment. The constitution is the highest law book of the country. Through this amendment, the highest law book has been rendered controversial. The Constitution is now full of self-contradictions.
Future Prospect
True, amendment to the constitution is a normal process, but it cannot be a manifesto of a party. This is why amendment to the constitution is made by incorporation and assimilation of all opinions so that no controversy arises. The Awami League has not only ignored the opposition of parties of the country, it has disregarded the prospect of amending the constitution on the basis of national consensus. It has divided the nation. Giving no notice to the voice of dissent it has revived the path of returning to one-party rule of BKSAL.
We hope the nation will choose the path of united resistance to inevitable clash and crisis. The opposition will uncompromisingly play its role responsibly to overcome the crisis.

Bangladesh Supreme Court Scraps Caretaker Government System

The Bangladesh Government is mulling over not bringing in any amendment proposal on the caretaker government system as it wants to drop the provision from the country's constitution. In this regard, the first portion of the judgment of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court will be placed as an argument. But the government will consider keeping the provision of the caretaker government system for one or two terms, if the opposition party reaches an agreement with the ruling party on other issues of the constitution amendments. This information has been received from very high-level of the government.
Meanwhile, concerned experts believe that the country has every possibility of entering a phase of political anarchy, if the caretaker government system is cancelled. It is sure that creation of such unrest in the country that will provoke the extraconstitutional forces to assume sate power. A two-year Army-supported unusual government assumed power in 2007 because of a hell bent attitude of the ruling party at that time and earlier occasions. That Army-supported government took unprecedented measures to suppress the country's political forces.
The experts believe that it will be very difficult to proceed with constitutional continuity without an understanding between the two major political parties.
Version of Government Side
The policymakers of the government believe that there is no scope to maintain the caretaker government system in the country without brining an amendment to the constitution as the 13th Amendment has been scrapped in a recent verdict of majority judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court under the leadership of the just retired Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Hauqe. The court has opined for holding the next two general elections under the caretaker government, but the observation is not a part of the order. There is no obstruction to abolishing the caretaker government system from the constitution as the review verdict of the Supreme Court has made the 13th Amendment null and void. With this in view, the special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendment has already begun dialog on the matter. Most members of the committee have opined for abolishing the system.
The government policymakers at this moment want cooperation from the opposition party in abolishing the caretaker government system from the constitution. In the primary discussions most of the special committee members expressed the view that the government should abolish this provision from the constitution if the opposition party does not agree to accept the next caretaker government chief as per the desire of the ruling party. In this regard, their main argument will be that they have only complied to the court order.
The government will bring separate constitution amendment bills in the House on the issues relating to amendments, including the Fifth, Seventh, and 13th Amendments, cancelled by the higher court. The government is also considering changing the Election Commission rules and the Representation of People Order 1974 for holing elections in a neutral manner. There will be no need of caretaker government if election commission is strengthened. The government will bank on this argument. If necessary, the ruling party will start campaign on the issue ahead of elections.
In this context, Law Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed said that there would be no need for the caretaker government if the Election Commission was made stronger and independent. The law minister said: 'Our neighboring country does not have caretaker government. The Election Commission can hold free and fair elections maintaining independence of the organization. The Election Commission had made instances in holding the last upazila and municipality elections in a free and fair manner. Democracy will get an institutional shape if the Election Commission plays an impartial and stronger role.'
According to the law minister, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has cancelled the 13th Amendment of the constitution after reviewing the matter in the light of the constitution to uphold the charter. The court might have though that it would have been better if the country is run by people's representatives. Running the state by unelected people is contradictory to the constitution.
He said the Appellate Division has also ruled that the 10th and 11th parliament elections could be held under the caretaker government. It also observed that the former chief justice and retired judges of the Supreme Court should not the chief adviser of the caretaker government. The court in the judgment said parliament would decide on these observations with prudently and independently.
No Election Without Caretaker Government
In this regard, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member told the Naya Diganta that the BNP would not accept if any amendment was brought to the constitution without understanding. He said that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to amend the constitution through its verdicts. This responsibility was entrusted with parliament, he said. He said: 'We are waiting. It will not be possible to understand what the government wants to do unless they table the constitution amendment bills in the house.'
BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhurl Islam Alamgir said: 'We have clearly said that no elections will be allowed to stage in this country without caretaker government. A person acceptable to all must be made the chief of the caretaker government.'
Opinion of Experts
Elderly lawyer and constitution expert Barrister Rafiq-ul Haque said that the Appellate Division verdict on the caretaker government system is contradictory. The court ruled that the verdict will have immediate effect. But it is also said that the 10th and 11th parliament elections will be held under the caretaker government. This is completely a self-contradictory verdict.
He said: 'Without being illegal the Thirteenth Amendment of the constitution, I proposed dropping the judges. Because, this provision is tarnishing the image of the judiciary. The Appellate Division declared the amendment illegal accepting our submissions. The court cannot formulate or amend laws. The elections could be held under the existing provision unless and until parliament changes the provision. The chief justice or the court cannot formulate or amend laws. The elections will be held under the caretaker government until and unless parliament changes the caretaker government system.'
Khandkar Mahbub Hossain, Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate, said that it was not possible to arrive at a just conclusion regarding the Supreme Court verdict on the 13th Amendment of the constitution. This verdict has created confusion. The Supreme Court verdict has declared the 13th Amendment null and void and contradictory to the constitution. Again the verdict said the 10th and 11th parliament could be formed under the caretaker government. The verdict said: 'It could be.' If so who will determine the matter. Nothing has been said in relation to this.
He said that there is a parliament in the country. The Appellate Division is issuing instructions to parliament. At this, a question normally arises who is sovereign? Whether the country will run at the instruction of the Supreme Court? The verdict has undermined the role of parliament elected by the people. The judiciary could be saved if the Appellate Division gave a clear guideline. The scrapping of the caretaker government system without taking firm decisions on related issues might whip up agitations in the political arena.
Seeking anonymity, a former chief justice said that Bangladesh was likely to enter a phase of political anarchy if the caretaker government system was abolished. This will create such a volatile situation n in the country and might provoke extraconstitutional forces to seize state power. A two-year Army-supported unusual government assumed power in 2007 because of a hell bent attitude of the ruling party at that time and earlier occasions. The Army-supported government took unprecedented measures to suppress the country's political forces. He said that it would be difficult to continue the constitutional rule in the country without an understanding between the two major political parties. It seems that the opposition party would accept the abolition of the caretaker government system. It does not require mentioning that imposition of unilateral issues such as constitutional amendment would lead to recurrence of the abnormal timing of the emergency government.
History of Caretaker Government
The caretaker government system was inducted in the constitution of Bangladesh in 1996 through the 13th Amendment. Since then three elections were held under the administration. During every election, some commotion was created over the appointment of the chief adviser of the caretaker government. This commotion has assumed a dangerous shape at this moment as the chief justice of the country is being appointed violating seniority.
During the 2006 general elections, the last chief justice was supposed to become the chief adviser to the caretaker government. But Awami League did not abide by the constitutional provision. At one stage of rising controversy over the issue, an abnormal caretaker government took over the responsibility of the country. The Army-supported Fakhruddin-Moeen Uddin government ruled the country for approximately two years.
The hearing on the lawsuits regarding legality of the caretaker government at the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court began on 1 March. The court heard the submissions of senior lawyer Justice T.H. Khan, Dr Kamal Hossain, Barrister Rafiq-ul Haque, Dr M. Zahir, former attorney general Mahmudul Islam, Barrister M. Amirul Islam, Barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud, and Barrister Azmamul Hossain QC as ameci curae (friends of the court). Among them, all amice curae excepting Azmalul Hossain QC opined for continuing the caretaker government system.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, in its 17 May 2011 brief judgement, said the appeal was granted in a majority decision. The 13th Amendment-1996 has been declared as null and void and contradictory to the constitution forthwith. The 10th and 11th parliament elections can be held under the 13th Amendment. And at the same the security of the state and the people is the highest law. The parliament will have the liberty to enact amendment laws to cancel the appointment of the former chief justice and judges of the Appellate Division as the chief adviser of the caretaker government.
Amendment in Budget Session
The budget session of parliament begins on 22 May. There is a possibility of brining necessary amendments to the constitution in this long session of the house. Meanwhile, opinions were collected from various citizen forums for the amendments. A coordinated amendment proposal will be placed in parliament combining the opinions and verdict of the Supreme Court.

Arms Trade in Bangladesh

The list of the gunrunners and traders is updated during the period of all governments. But those, who control the arms market, remain out of touch. No drive against arms was carried out after the Operation Clean Heart in 2002 and the Combing Operation during the caretaker government in 2007.
According to the Home Ministry, after the changes in government, the special list remained confined to the file. It is not confirmed that when the operation will be conducted. The sources also said with the changes in government, local and foreign arms traders built relations with a part of the administration and the influential leaders of the ruling party. They also manage the officials of the Home Ministry side by side with the officer in charges, police supers and DIGs (deputy inspector of general) of the routes through which the arms are smuggled. The arms trade is carried out in cooperation with them.
During the period of the caretaker government, the field-level intelligence men prepared a list of 400 smugglers who are involved in arms trade. The list was scrutinized after the present government came to power. But the list was not published. When contacted, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan said that the list of arms traders and smugglers was prepared which will be published soon.
The Home Ministry has no accurate statistics on the number of illegal arms in Bangladesh. The intelligence men updated a list of the illegal arms. But the Home Ministry expressed dissatisfaction over the list. The ministry sources said there are not an accurate number of the licensed arms in the Home Ministry. There is also no information to anybody that how many licenses for arms were given during the rule of the past Awami League and BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) governments.
According to the Bangladesh Development Partnership Centers (BPDC), there are 128 syndicates of arms. The number of illegal arms in the country is now 400,000, which price is 3 billion takas (Tk). Of the arms, 135,000 were traced, but the rest of the arms have no trace.
BPDC Director Sharif A. Kafi said the number of armed terrorists in the country is 600,000. Of them 40 percent are under 18 terrorists. As many as 10,000 licenses of arms were given on urgent basis in the past 15 years from 1991 to 2006 and verification was not done in most of the cases. These arms are not being traced by the law enforcement agencies.
The BPDC research sources also said that there were Tk 25 billions illegal arms in the SAARC countries except Afghanistan. And an international mafia and strong network of smugglers have been working behind it. This syndicate brings arms of Tk 5 billions in Bangladesh.
According to the intelligence agencies, about 10,000 big and small arms were recovered in 2002 under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army. In addition, 6,289 firearms, 29,493 ammunition and 1,625 kg explosives were seized during the Operation Clean Heart in 2007. During the time, 6,000 people were arrested in connection with the arms recovery, while 3,000 cases were filed against them. The sources also said arms, ammunition and grenade-making materials are smuggled through 40 routes of 4,500 km seaways, 189 km land route and 360 km open seaways.
Arms Coming in Those Routes
Smuggling of arms began in this country since the Pakistani rule. At that time, some people carried arms for self-defense. In the 70s, the ultra-revolutionists of the communist groups were procuring arms secretly. Since then, trafficking of illegal arms started. According to the information of the intelligence agencies, there are 48 points through which arms are smuggling into the country. Of them, Ramu, Moheshkhali, Inani Beach, Khashiakhali, Anwara and Shikalbaha are the most discussed routes. In addition to arms are entering into the country through Rajshahi, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Tentulia, Teknaf, Jointa of Habiganj, Chhatak, Meherpur, Akhaura, Bibir Bazar of Comilla, Chouddagram, Bilonia of Feni, Pechiabaria of Amtali, Patia of Chittagong, Dinajpur, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Srimangal, Jhinaigati of Sherpur, Kamlganj, Jadabpur, Khagrachhari, Cox's Bazaar, Halishahar, Jessore, Doulatpur, Netrakona and Sundarban. Arms are now coming from Kaikhali of the Sundabans to Chilmari of Kushtia.
The Price of Arms?
Raising of the illegal arms market started in Bangladesh after 1975. During the rule of General Ziaul Haque, smuggled arms entered into Bangladesh from China and Pakistan. Those arms had gone to the hands of the Indian separatists. In addition, arms came from Pakistan for the Burma Rohingas. From this time, United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), Nagaland and Mijoram rebels used to stay in Bangladeshi hilly areas. Bangladeshi terrorists collected some arms from this rebel groups.
The arms, which are smuggled into Bangladesh include AK-47, US pistol, M-16, 9mm pistol, Mouzer pistol, US Taraus, Italy's Pertrobarota, Germany's Ruby, US Revolver, Chinese rifle, Kalashnikov, Indian pistol, Indian revolver, LMG, SMG, pipe gun and 22 bore pistol. Grenades and rocket launchers are also being collected now. The smugglers are selling these arms to the terrorist groups. Underworld sources said that heavy arms were sold to the foreigners and in this case, Bangladesh was a safe transit route. The same sources said that AK-47 was being sold at Tk 300,000, M-16 at 300,000, US pistol at Tk 100,000, 9 mm pistol at Tk 150,000, Mouzer pistol Tk 150,000 , US Taraus Tk 225,000, Italy's Petrobarota 145,000 lakh, US revolver 100,000, Chinese rifle 100,000 and pistol are being sold at Tk 30,000. Fifty godfathers are controlling the arms world, while politicians and industrialists give shelter to them. Intelligence sources said of the 400 arms smugglers, 88 in Dhaka division, 34 in Chittagong, 87 in Khulna, 70 in Rajshahi, 35 in Sylhet, 58 each in Barisal and Rangamati. Though they were arrested at different times, they were engaged in the old trade after releasing from the prison.
Those Who Are Accused
According to the list of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police, Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, Gias Hazarica and Tasbih Jahngir were the leading arms traders in the country. Hafiz and Tasbih Jahangir are now in prison, while Gias Hazarika was killed in the cross fire of the RAB. Abdur Rahman and Manzurul Alam are known as the godfathers in the Chittagong-based arms trading. In addition, Dalim of Cox's Bazar and Arif of Feni are engaged in this trade. Chief of Bhaijan Bahini of Bera Abdul Baten and Ajit Dutta are controlling the North Bengal-based arms and narcotics market. Extremist leaders Razu and Shaheen, who are the brothers are directly involved with them. In addition, Sazedur Rahman Chowdhury of Dinajpur, Tutul and Ali Ahmad of Magura, Shaheen of Jessore, Maqbul Chairman of Meherpur, Mahbubul Alam of Kushtia, Tipu and Habib Khan of Manirampur in Jessore, Helal of Bagerhat, Ruhul of Satkhira and Mashiur Rahman and Abdul Hai of Jhenidah are doing arms trade. The arms traders are selling the arms to the Rohinga and CHT rebels with the cooperation of international smugglers. In addition, they supply arms to different areas of the country, including Chittagong, Dhaka, Feni, and Comilla.
Heavy Arms in Extremists' Hands
The extremists are now using various heavy arms like AK-47, AK-56, LMG, SMG, Chinese rifle. These arms are coming through southwestern and Burma frontiers. Purba Banglar Communist Party, the split part of the Indian naxalites (Maoist guerrillas), is collecting these arms. The Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) sources said a large number of centers, which are providing arms have been raised in the Indian bordering areas. The areas include Ranaghat, Nadia, Mohadevpur, Maslandapur, Bangaon and Helencher. Arms training is given to the terrorists in these areas. The consignment of arms comes from India through two routes of Mujibnagar and Gangni. Arms are supplied to across the country from different spots of Damurhuda through Dariapur region. The Chief of Amzad Bahini, Amzad, is controlling trade of smuggled arms. The godfather of the force, Minhazuddin Dukhu, looks after all things from India. Arms come through Kushtia, Comilla and Jessore routes under the political shelter and in connivance of police.
Arms in Phensidyle Factories
Indian traders have built 52 phensidyle factories on their border. A list identifying these factories has been handed over to the Indian authorities on behalf of Bangladesh. The phensidyle produced in the factories enters into Bangladesh through the border. Arms are coming with phensidyle, recently. It was learnt that the smugglers are using the consignment of phensidyle as the advanced consignment. Keeping the police busy with the phensidyle consignment, they are bringing arms and heroin in other consignments. The RAB seized some types of consignments recently. Smuggled arms are being stocked in the 52 phensidyle factories side by side with producing the contraband syrup.
Courier Service is Used
For smuggling arms and narcotics, courier service and transports are being used for a long time. There are allegations that courier service, transport owners, employees and members of the law enforcement agencies are involved with the arms and narcotics traders. Some types of consignments were recently seized. Identified arms and narcotics traders are using some established courier services and transports for smuggling of arms and narcotics. Doing this business, many people have become millionaire. The RAB arrested three foreign nationals with heroin and arms recently. They admitted that they used to sell heroin in Bangladesh after bringing it from Pakistan through courier service. About this, RAB Director General Mokhlesur Rahman said the matter is true. We are monitoring it and the criminals will be arrested by identifying them.
Rohingas are Buying Arms
According to the intelligence agencies, the Rohingas have started buying arms newly. The Rohinga militant groups have raised a fund of Tk 30 crore for purchasing arms. A meeting between international arms traders and the Rohingas was held at Naikhongchhari in Bandarban in December 2010. After the meeting, a decision was taken to purchase arms from the smugglers, while money was already handed over to buy the arms. According to the intelligence sources, a consignment of arms has already reached to the Rohinga militants. The Rohinga militants narrowed their internal conflict, paving the way for receiving assistance from the Middle East. Arms are being reached to them through Naikhangchhari and Teknaf borders.
Hill People Are Not Lagging Behind
The CHT was one of the arms market in Bangladesh. The supply of arms was stopped after the peace treaty in 1997. But the President of Pahari Chhatra Parishad Prasit Bikash Khisa opposed the peace treaty. He formed an organization named United People's Democratic Front or UPDF. With this, activities of collection of arms resumed side by side with the opposition of peace treaty. The Indian separatists have geared up their activities. When BNP came to power in 2001, the implementation process of the peace treaty became standstill. As a result, the UPDF was strengthened gradually. On the other hand, leaders of the Jana Sanghati Samity (JSS) became frustrated as the peace treaty was not successful. As a result, a reformist group was created among the JSS. In addition to the UPDF, they also started collecting arms. And in this way, the trend of stocking arms was seen in the hill tracts. Both JSS and UPDF started using these arms to establish supremacy in the hills. When asked, UPDF Chief Prasit Bikash Khisha said: "We do not accept the peace treaty. We would do whatever necessary in the interest of our security."
Militant Activities
The militant activities began with assumption of power by the BNP in 2001. The militants who returned from Afghanistan became active allover the country splitting into many groups for Islamic revolution. Intelligence sources said that JMB, HuJI-B, JMJB, Allahr Dal, Hijbut Tahreer, Hijbut Tawhid, Amir Ud-Din showed arms openly as there were special blessings to them by the then government. At one stage they started carrying out bomb and grenade attacks with an aim to capture state power. They carried out the heinous grenade attack on the Awami League rally on 21 August 2004. They showed their strength by conducting bomb attacks across the country on 17 August 2005. Intelligence sources said the grenades used in the Awami League rally were produced in Pakistan. These militants are still active. Various sources think that they are also involved in the arms supply process.
Replying to a question about the market and network of the arms, Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmud Khandakar said that illegal arms are being used in the country. Different terrorist groups are using the arms. He said: "We have prepared a list of the terrorists and the godfather who use arms. As per the list, efforts are continuing to arrest them."
However, Home Minister Sahara Khatoon said that the use of illegal arms was less than any other time. She said: "Many people had used Bangladesh as a route of arms smuggling and we stopped it after coming to power." She said that the country was freed from militancy and a list of gunrunners and their godfathers was prepared. "Efforts are on to arrest the culprits side by side with facing the foreign conspiracies."
Arms Are Produced in Moheshkhali
According to an influential intelligence agency, illegal arms are being produced at some factories inside the country. These arms are being produced at remote hills of Moheshkhali and deep forests of Khagrachhari. These factories are producing guns which have huge demands among the local terrorists. Earlier, the members of the law enforcement agencies seized some arms, arms-making materials and explosives and arrested the arms-makers.
The sources said arms are being produced at Karaibunia, Putirjhiri, Saralia, Gulur Barghona, Kamlghona, Morakiri, Loharchaara, Murichhari and Shaplapur in Moheshkhali hilly areas. To avoid risk of arrests in the day time, the makers are working to produce arms at night. The environment of the factory is like almost a workshop or a shop of blacksmith. There are iron blade, iron-cutting machines and gun handle-making machineries in the factories. Concerned sources said minimum Tk 600 to 700 was spent for producing arms. But it is sold locally at Tk 1500-1600. However, the price of the arms in outside of the area is Tk 5,000. Allegations have been raised that a strong syndicate is selling the arms, produced here, to the terrorist groups across the country. The RAB arrested leading arms-makers Gura Mian, Faridul Alam and Rahmat Ali after conducting a drive in 2010. The elite force also seized 12 arms, including cut-rifle, revolver, and pistol. In the absence of them, another organized circle is selling arms after producing.

Bangladesh May Turn Hostile to India With Change in Power

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son Tariq Rehman is said to be involved in smuggling of arms. These arms being sent to United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) insurgents were confiscated. According to the Bangladesh Government agency BSS, Hafizur Rehman (involved in the biggest arms smuggling racket of Bangladesh so far, in 2004) has admitted before a court that he had met ULFA leader Paresh Barua along with Tariq on 1 April 2004 at Hawa Bhawan, the office of Khaleda Zia's party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Corruption and Criminal Charges
The Daily Star, a daily published from Dhaka, wrote in its 8 February edition that on 2 April 2004, Hafizur Rehman admitted the involvement of some officials of National Security Intelligence (NSI), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and Chatgaon Urea Fertilizer Company Limited (CUFCL) in the attempt to smuggle 10 truckloads of arms. At that time, Khaleda Zia's BNP and Jamat coalition was in power. In his interrogation Hafizur Rehman said that Paresh Barua left him outside and went inside Hawa Bhawan to meet Tariq. Tariq is currently the vice chairman of BNP and is embroiled in corruption and criminal charges. He is in London these days for treatment.

Amid allegations of hiding facts by Khaleda Zia government, the previous government supported by the Army had ordered reinvestigation into the Chatgaon arms case two years ago. After the reinvestigation, several high-ranking intelligence officers were arrested, including two former Army officers.

The Accused
According to the Daily Star, two former director generals of NSI, Major General Razakul Hyder Chaudhary and Brigadier General Mohammed Abdur Rahim (both retired), were arrested by Bangladesh CID in connection with the Chatgaon arms case. The others accused were former Director (Defense), Wing Commander (retired) Sahabuddin Ahmed, former Deputy Director (Technology) Major (retired) Liaqat Hussein, NSI Field Officer Akbar Hussein, former CUFCL Managing Director Mohsin Talukdar, and General Manager (Administration) Iqramul Haq.

The other side of Tariq Rehman's story is that during the BNP rule, he was not only the most powerful politician, but also the contact person of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for operating anti-India activities. This means that the nexus between infamous DGFI, NSI, ISI, and ULFA would have continued if Tariq Rehman's story had not emerged.

Hasina's India Visit
During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to New Delhi, she promised that she would not allow her country's soil to be used against India. This gives strength to the hope that people like Tariq Rehman and Paresh Barua would not be able to run their campaign against India from Bangladesh, but for how long?

What happens when BNP comes to power again? This means that despite the honest intentions of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would continue to be a headache for India.