[Maruf]

The previous thread is below:

Strategic Relations between Bangladesh and India

[Maruf]

India has turned into a safe paradise for convicted criminals of Bangladesh. Most of the top terrors fled Bangladesh and found a new home in India. They married Indian citizens and doing various businesses right under the nose of the Indian government. Despite repeated request from Bangladesh, India refused to handover these criminals for the reason best known to them.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_32027.shtml

Top terrors now in West Bengal sanctuaries
By Staff Reporter
Tue, 7 Nov 2006, 08:31:00

Most wanted 23 top terrorists declared by Bangladesh Government are now staying in different places of West Bengal and Tripura in India, it is reliably learnt.

The State Government of West Bengal do not dare to take action against those terrorists as they are staying there under the protection of Indian secret service intelligence agency RAW, sources said.

Most of them often change their addresses under several fake names in Kolkata, Nadia, Dakkhin 24 Parguna, Uttar 24 Parguna and Murshidabad under the protection of RAW, sources said.

Most of the top terrorists have married Indian citizens and established business centres including fish farms, sources said and added they are also involved in smuggling,

Terrorists Subrata Bine alias Mona alias Swapan, Mollah Masud Kajal, Zia, Fazlu, Babu alias Choita Babu, Helal, Jabbar, Munna alias killer Munna, Aga Shamim alias Mithun, Rana, Sabuj, Nasiruddin alias Kala Nasir alias Gonesh, Tanvirul Islam Joy and Shamim Osman are now living in India.

Ratna Chowdhury, 45, a widow, owner of MR Express Travel Agency at Markuiz Street in Kolkata, helped the terrorists providing all supports including visa, sources said.

According to sources, this travel agency without having any legal authority is working as 'Visa Agent' of Bangladesh Mission Kolkata. They usually do visa work like Multiple, Double Entry and E visas, sources said and added visa consular department of Bangladesh Mission Kolkata said this travel agency works as source of the Mission.

Subrata Bine alias Mona alias Swapan is now living in Shaktinagar under Krishnanagar in Nadia district. Both Subrata and Mollah Masud Kajal have set up a fish farm on 60 acres lease land at Mezdia under Karimpur police station, Tehatta in Nadia, sources said. Subrata very often stays at one Animesh Sarkar's Razdanga residence behind the office of Semens India Ltd in Kolkata.

Mollah Masud Kajal most often stays in the residences of Prokash Biswas alias Probal and Bikash Biswas alias Badal at Christian Village of Doyabari in Ranaghat. Zia, Fazlu and Babu alias Choita Babu sometimes also used the same residences. Mollah Masud conducted smuggling activities through Karimpur, Banpur and Daufulia border areas under Nadia district. Mollah Masud's main associates are-Prokash, Bikash, Zia alias Tapan and Fazlu alias Swapan-2, sources said.

Zia, Fazlu and Babu alias Choita Babu took shelter at snake charmer Swapan's house Block-B, 18/C-4 under Kallyani PS near Kallyani University.

Helal, Jabbar and Munna alias killer Munna operated hilsa (elish) fish business by trawler in Dakhhin 24 Parguna. They sold the fish in Kakdip and Diamond Harbor's fish markets, sources said and added that terrorists Biju and Ratan of old Dhaka were also staying with them.

Aga Shamim alias Mithun is now staying at the house of Ranjit Sen of Chandigarh, Maddhyamgram, under Barasat PS in Uttar 24 Parguna. Terrorists Masudur Rahman alias Tunda Masud and Rezaul Karim alias Rezai of Narayanganj are also staying with him, sources said.

According to sources, Rana and Sabuj residents of Mohammadpur, are now staying in Ayeshbagh, Lalbagh of Murshidabad. They have close relation with BSF and Indian detective units, sources said.

Nasir Uddin alias Kala Nasir has recently entered West Bengal through Senaganj border under Krishnaganj PS of Nadia district. He has already joined Zakir, Pyal, Tajvir and Kamrul Hasan alias Hannan who are now in Goriah in Kolkata.

Tanvirul Islam Joy, who is most popular to Indian RAW, now staying with spouse and daughters in Goriahat, Salimpur, Saltlake Sector-3 and Purbachal Housing Complex of Saltlake areas.

Shamim Osman, a former MP of Bangladesh Awami League is now living in Kolkata, sources said and added that he always informed his whereabouts to a Kolkata correspondent of a daily newspaper of Bangladesh.

One Ratna Chowdhury of Kolkata locally entertained Shamim Osman, Hasan Imam, Baby Moudud and other top leaders, sources said.

[akzaman]

Underworld dons are reappearing

REPORTS are seen in the press that notorious criminals who once fled the country, are returning to Bangladesh and taking political shelter. This is a very worrying development. The caretaker government cannot and must not show any leniency to these returning lords of the underworld. Allowing them to return and consolidate their positions, would only lead to a full resurrection of the terror that countrymen had to suffer in the past.

The ones who are visible must be immediately arrested and put behind bars and in carrying out this task, the police and the RAB must show their unflinching determination. If necessary, the different political parties may be consulted and asked to delink themselves from these criminals. Message should be conveyed to the parties that the administration would move with all the capacities at its command to arrest them, regardless of their party affiliations and that no attempt should be made to give political colours to such a purely law enforcement drive.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3....972&spcl=no

[akzaman]

Exiled crime lords ready to return before polls

With the interim government in power and the parliamentary elections only a few months away, some of the most wanted criminals of the country, in jail or exile, are looking for ways to take advantage of the situation.While the fugitive criminals are planning to bring an end to their prolonged exile, the criminals in jail are doing everything to get out of prison by using legal loopholes and manipulating trial procedures.

Sources in the underworld said the criminals, irrespective of party affiliation, would throw their weight behind the aspirants to form the next government and would use such aspirants to get out of the predicament they are in now.

As the criminals played an important role during elections in the past, some BNP leaders have contacted some fugitive criminals and asked them to work in their favour.BNP leaderstalked with us on a number of occasions and assured us all kinds of support in Dhaka,’ Subrata Bain, one of most-wanted criminals now living in Kolkata, told New Age over telephone on Tuesday.

He quoted a BNP leader as saying, ‘We are still in power and the whole administration is working at our instruction.’ But the crime lord said he could not depend on these words as the caretaker government is yet to launch a crackdown.

Assured by the previous BNP government, almost all the exiled criminals visited Dhaka even amid the drive of the Rapid Action Battalion and went back safe. Underworld sources said some BNP leaders based in one of the alternative power house of the BNP arranged their safe passage with the help of the policemen.

The fugitive criminals are frequently holding meetings in Kolkata to sort out strategies as the immediate-past BNP government betrayed them soon after assuming office in 2001.

‘Many of us worked for the BNP in 2001 elections, but it prepared a list of most-wanted criminals and launched a crackdown to arrest us,’ said Subrata, who was based in Moghbazar and worked for the BNP’s candidate for a Dhaka constituency.

‘This time we will be more cautious. We reached a consensus that we will not be used and then ditched,’ said another criminal, Jishan, who crossed the border after killing two Detective Branch officials in the Hotel Sunrise at Malibagh in 2003.

Nine listed top criminals were captured by the BNP government.Jishan is also weighing the option of working for the Awami League and so are top-rated criminal Tanvir Islam Joy and his aide Mukul.A former AL lawmaker from the Dhaka city west is maintaining contact with them. ‘We told him to create a ground safe for our return and stay,’ one of them told New Age.

The criminals, exiled or jailed, have, meanwhile, been carrying out illicit activities such as extortion, killing, abduction and drugs peddling through hundreds of teenaged criminals groomed in Dhaka.The jailed criminals meet their followers on court premises while the exiled criminals talk with their men over telephone.Some budding criminals told New Age they had eagerly been waiting for the return of their bosses. The new band of criminals has, meanwhile, started participating in political programmes of both the BNP and the Awami League.

The major parties used the services of the 23 criminals on the police’s most-wanted lists during previous elections. The politician-criminal nexus had a significant influence on the results in three previous elections.

‘We were regarded with due importance as winning the elections was crucial for the politicians,’ said one of the most-wanted criminals, talking with New Age over telephone.

Shortly after the launch of the Rapid Action Battalion in 2004, several key figures of the underworld were killed in the ‘crossfire’ of or ‘encounters’ with the battalion, prompting others to get away.

Subrata Bain, Khandakar Tanveer Islam Joy, Molla Masud, Haris Ahmed Haris, Kamrul Hasan Hannan (younger brother of the arrested most-wanted criminal Liakat Hossain), Prakash, Imam Hossain, Aga Shamim and Jafar Ahmed Manik are staying in rented houses at Dumdum, Broad Street, Sealdah, Beck Bagan and few other areas in Kolkata.

Listed criminal Pichchi Hannan was killed in the ‘crossfire’ of the battalion and Alauddin died in mob beating. Killer Abbas, Arman Khan, Liakat Hossain Liakat, Rasu, Titon, Kamal Pasha, Freedom Sohel, Moshiur Rahman Kochi and Bikash are now in jail.

Mukul, accused in the Badda arms haul case and suspected of being involved in the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka, is staying with his boss, Joy, in a luxurious flat on Broad Street.

Chhanga Babu and Nabir Hossain Nabi of Mohammadpur, Mobile Kader of Mirpur, Laren, Reaz, Ganda Jahangir, Tajgir, Ekhtiar (accused in Detective Branch people murder cases) of Motijheel, Dakat Shahid of Old Town and Rony of Moghbazar are also staying in hotels in Kolkata and in adjoining areas.
http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#2

[akzaman]

'Strengthen Indo-Bangla ties for mutual benefit'

Speakers at a rally yesterday recalled the contribution of India to the liberation war saying that it was not possible to free the country from the occupation of Pakistan army within only nine months without the help of India. They said friendship between Bangladesh and India must be strengthened for the greater interest of both the countries. The rally was organised by Bangladesh-Bharat Sampriti Parishad at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city.

Around 20,000 to 25,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives during the liberation war(?). But a vested quarter is now trying to misguide the countrymen through propaganda against India which is very shameful for us," said Major General (Retd) KM Shafiullah Birbikram. He said India helped Bangladesh in all possible ways in 1971 which should not be forgotten.

"We should maintain good relations with India as both the countries believe in democracy and secularism," said Journalist Shahrier Kabir, acting president of Ekattorer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee. He said the ideals of the liberation war should be disseminated among people to save the nation from present political stalemate.

Colonel (Retd) Shakhawat Ali, a former legislator, said there is no scope for denying the contributions of India and then Soviet Union to the liberation war. "We should be in good terms with India as it is our closest neighbour," said Prof Nim Chandra Bhoumik, general secretary of Bangladesh-Bharat Sampriti Parishad.
Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Chairman Prof Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, General Secretary M Salahuddin and Sampriti Parishad leader Abir Aahad and Nazrul Ahsan Pakhi also addressed the rally.

http://thedailystar.net/2006/12/12/d61212100199.htm

[akzaman]

Indian assiatance in the Bangladesh Liberation War : Perceived or Real?

Isha Khan

Some writers say India assisted us in 1971. This is half truth. India had hidden designs. India saw an opportunity and made use of it to enable break up an existing entity.With the every passing day she is exposing her veiled intensions against Bangladesh.

Avebury and Dholakia spoke ill of Bangladesh .Avebury is a tout. He was heavily involved in promoting an Iranian terrorist group based in Saddam's Iraq but with a huge support amongst Iranian refugees in Europe. No one in England gets involved in these activities for free! Avebury's Iranian terrorist group got banned in USA and Europe after Iraq occupation. Since then Avebury has become involved with anti-Bangladesh groups much encouraged and aided by Indian proxies.

Dholakia is a Gujarati Hindu. He keeps protesting that he is into peace and Gandhi. Such pronouncements go unchallenged because white English love the sound of Gandhi even when the hipocrites make illegal wars in Iraq, support nuclear weapons for themselves or bribe, pimp and corrupt royals!

A very cunning Gujarati, Dholakia exploits decent sounding rhetoric beloved of the English. But British and others, including the media, should question him about how Hindu Gujaratis have been funding fascist Hindus in India from UK and Africa They should ask him about his knowledge of the Hindu oppression, harassment, genocide and massacres of Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Untouchables and Tribals in his Gujarat state over the last 40 years with the active financial and moral support of the Gujarati Hindu diaspora.But Hindus only form 50% of the population of the state.

Why did not Dholakia highlight all the Gujarati Hindu crimes against non-Hindus in his homeland.They conviniently forget the daily violence and killings elsewhere in India.But may we ask what is his link with Hindu Gujarati charities collecting money in Africa and UK for their hate crimes in India and Gujarat? We must expose this two faced RSS/VHP/BJP monster who pretends to be decent. He has no business spreading lies about Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is only nation in the entire region of South Asia in relative peace, even with all the terrorist provocations from unstable and failing states of India like West Bengal and insurgency-torn northeast. I think the Bangladesh nationals of UK should also rise up against such propaganda war.

Ref:NFB article"RAW-sponsored anti-Bangladesh campaign" by Mohammad Zainal Abedin( http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hid...000000000140381 )

http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate...000000000141674

[akzaman]

Gangsters start to cross border for election job

As the countdown to the parliamentary election has begun, the listed and wanted criminals, who fled abroad fearing arrest, have started returning to the country to work as 'gunmen' for the candidates.The criminal gangs have already appeared in the fierce competition for securing this type of jobs, which are especially lucrative during the election period. Most of these groups are not yet organised and waiting for their top leaders' return.

Of the criminals hiding in India, several have already come back to the country while some have sent back their sidekicks to organise their groups in Bangladesh before they arrive, sources said.Those who entered the country have started demonstrating the 'signs' of their return and demanded tolls from various people in the city, even though.

The two most powerful underworld kingpins, Joy and Shuvro, however, are yet to step in the city. "They have sent their men to work during the election period," said one such operative who came to the city six days back.Asked, for whom they are working, he named some of the former lawmakers of the immediate past government from the capital."It's safer to work with the powerful side. We think the immediate past government is still in the power," he said.Some, however, decided to work for the rivals of the immediate past government out of 'anger' at the four-party alliance. "We worked for them (four-party alliance), but in reward, they prepared criminals' list after getting elected, compelling us to leave the country," said another expressing his indignation about the immediate past government.Joy's men are active in the Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Moghbazar and its adjacent areas, he added, while Shuvro's goons operate in Motijheel, Ramna and its surrounding areas.

Several men of Shahadat Bahini, infamous in Mirpur area, stepped into Bangladesh a week back and are now busy organising the group that became scattered after Shahadat fled Dhaka to escape arrest.Several businessmen from Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Moghbazar areas have reported of being threatened by the gang.Sources also said another gang, known as the 'Kakrail Group,' has also regrouped and started their activities in Dhaka.

Contacted, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), however, denied any such entrance of the criminals in the country. The Director General of Rab SM Mizanur Rahman told The Daily Star last night that the anti-crime forces have kept vigil on the situation."There is no report of any such entry of the wanted criminals in the country. We have put our men on alert and are working on the matter," he said.

http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate...000000000144542

[Maruf]

'Strengthen Indo-Bangla ties for mutual benefit'
Around 20,000 to 25,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives during the liberation war(?). But a vested quarter is now trying to misguide the countrymen through propaganda against India which is very shameful for us," said Major General (Retd) KM Shafiullah Birbikram. He said India helped Bangladesh in all possible ways in 1971 which should not be forgotten.

The ex-General is lying through his teeth. Only 2000 Indian soldiers were killed by the Pakistani army in 1971. No vested quarter in Bangladesh is trying to spread propaganda against India. The unilateral withdrawal of water by India and the subsequent desertification of Bangladesh is not a propaganda. The state support for the Shanti bahini terrorist is also not a propaganda. The whole world saw how India forcefully occupied 'South Talpatti' in the 80s, nobody spread propaganda about that.

It is the people like this General who are propagating propaganda to serve the political interest of a certain political party in the country and strategic interest of a certain neighbour of Bangladesh.

[akzaman]

Detour Asian Highway is feasible for none

Mohammad Zainal Abedin

It is learnt from reliable sources that India designs to compel the interim caretaker government of Bangladesh to meet some of its strategic demands. The havoc that India creates along her border with Bangladesh since emergency was declared is nothing but a pressure to meet Indian demands. One of such demands is to get the approval of the detoured map of Asian Highway that the immediate past government declined considering the greater eco-strategic interest of the country.

India exercising its influence changed the original map of the Asian Highway that enters Myanmar via Teknaf of Bangladesh. India succeeded in redrawing its map that will come from India and enter India again via Tamabil of Sylhet of Bangladesh. This map is beyond the basic principle of the Asian Highway. One of the basic principles of Asian Highway says that it will not touch a country twice. Moreover, it will connect one capital of a country to the capital of its immediate its neigbouring country. But the redrawn map ignores these principles. It not only technically denies Bangladesh as separate independent sovereign country, but also degrades its to the status of Indian states. Because the changed map does not connect Bangladesh with Myanmar capital direct from Bangladesh. India's basic aim for a detoured Asian Highway is to arrange direct road link through Bangladesh to its troubled Northeastern States. India tried to get corridor facilities through Bangladesh under the cover of transshipment or transit. But the immediate past government considering long-term eco-strategic-military and defence interest declined to provide transshipment facilities or railway link or road link for movement of trucks, etc.

Due to India's negation Bangladesh could not yet restore the original map of Asian Highway. If India does not concede to Bangladesh's demand, yet Bangladesh should not bend down to Indian pressure. Let the Asian Highway be constructed in accordance with Indian prescription without connecting Bangladesh. A detoured Asian Highway will be of no use for Bangladesh or others, even for India. All the vehicles will have to ply about 2,000km detoured and zigzag mountainous and militant infested way and India will never be able to ensure security of the vehicles and crews as well .

One Indian research associate M Amareet Singh, a Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management of New Delhi uncovered the most accurate and real assessment of the happenings of northeast, particularly of Manipur, through which the India-proposed detoured Asian Highway may pass through. In an article 'Manipur: Highways of Extortion' (available in SAIR: Vol. 4: No. 46: May 22, 2006), he referred to the assassination attempts on Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on May 17, 2006, while his cavalcade was traveling along National Highway (NH) 39, to Langmeidong in Thoubal District.

The attempt is considered as a sharp reminder of the utter insecurity of Manipur's crucial road links – the State's lifelines. M Amareet Singh said, "While a high-profile ambush on the Chief Minister does make news even now in a State wracked by incessant violence, much of the daily and routine militant activities and innumerable acts of extortion, intimidation and murder pass largely unnoticed under the scanner of public and media attention, particular outside the State. " This is the reality. Indian media deliberately ignores many reports to save the image of the India and its heavyweights in New Delhi. If any happening is reported daily, not only the outsiders, even the locals will believe that India is facing a constant assaults in Northeast, which also undermines its sovereignty and authority on Northeast. Indian media only releases those items, which they cannot bury.

Indians may claim that attack on the chief minister is an abrupt and isolated incident and it may not repeat in future. But how can India say that Northeast is safe for the common people, particularly for those foreign vehicles, which will ply along the most volatile region of the present-day world, if the detoured Asian Highway is constructed to suit India's interest.

India cannot ensure the security of the existing highways. Blockade of highways has been the most common and effective method for militants and agitators to bring pressure on the State Government in landlocked Manipur. But the most uneasy situation the common people, particularly the vehicles that daily face in Manipur and elsewhere in Northeast is highly disturbing. Militants to raise the permanent income took extortion on the highways an easy business. "These two factors, in combination, have made life for the common citizen increasingly unbearable," Singh mentioned in his article.**

Manipur is principally connected by road to the rest of the country and to Myanmar by three National Highways: NH-39, NH-53 and NH-150, totaling 965 kilometres of road through the State. With no rail links, the only other connection is two flights a day, which serve the elite of the State. Of the highways, the Mao-Imphal section (109 km) of NH-39 is the State's main lifeline, its major link route to the outside world. Over 300 trucks ply along this route daily to bring petrol, diesel, cooking gas and other essential items, including food grains, from other parts of the country. In addition, large numbers of passenger buses and private vehicles ply along NH-39. Further, the Imphal-Moreh section (110 km) of NH-39 is also widely used by the trading community to shop at key town of Moreh on the Indo-Myanmar border. Besides, NH-53 connects Imphal to Silchar in Assam (223 km) and NH-150 connects Imphal to Kohima in Nagaland and Aizawl in Mizoram (523 km). (Is Asian Highway Safe? M. Amarjeet Singh: Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management: SAIR: Vol. 4: No. 46: May 22,2006).

As things stand, extended sections on all these highways operate on the whims of various militant groups. The Mao-Imphal section of NH-39, which passes through the Naga dominated areas of the Senapati District is virtually under the control of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), an outfit that is currently engaged in peace talks with the Union Government, but which operates a widespread and systematic extortion network across both Nagaland and in all Naga-dominated areas in neighbouring States. The Imphal-Moreh section of the NH-39 is similarly under the control of various Kuki militant outfits as well as the NSCN-IM. The poorly manned NH-53 has also been parceled out between various militant groups like the NSCN-IM, NSCN-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and United National Liberation Front (UNLF). Likewise, NH-150 is under the sway of various Kuki and Naga militant groups.

With various militant outfits asserting dominance over extended segments of these highways, the State and its people are perpetually at their mercy. Extortion along these highways is rampant and several militant groups, prominently including the NSCN-IM, impose different rates of 'illegal tax' on commercial vehicles plying on these highways, depending on the value of consignments, at several points marking the transition from one militant group's area of dominance to the next.

On the Dimapur-Mao-Imphal section of NH-39, for instance, the NSCN-IM, according to media reports, charges an oil tanker about INR 3,000 per trip, followed by trucks carrying cooking gas cylinders at about INR 2,000, and those carrying cement, INR 1,000. Besides this, the NSCN-IM charges a truck about INR 7,000 and a tourist bus about INR 12,000 annually as a 'permit fee' to operate in the State. On July 26, 2002, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh accused NSCN-IM of collecting 'vehicle tax' amounting to INR two hundred to three hundred million annually from vehicles carrying essential items into Manipur through the Dimapur-Mao-Imphal section of NH-39 and the Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar section of NH-53. The NSCN-IM is said to have opened tax collection centres at Mao in Senapati District and Dimapur in Nagaland for the Dimapur-Mao-Imphal section of NH-39; Imphal and Pallel in the Chandel District for the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39; and None and Nungba in the Tamenglong District for NH-53. (Is Asian Highway Safe? M. Amarjeet Singh: Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management: SAIR: Vol. 4: No. 46: May 22,2006).

While speaking in the State Legislative Assembly in Imphal on August 4, 2003, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Ibomcha Singh, stated that each and every passenger bus plying along the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 annually paid a sum of INR 30,000 to various militant groups such as the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and NSCN-IM. He also stated that smaller commercial vehicles paid INR 20,000 annually. (Is Asian Highway Safe? M. Amarjeet Singh: Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management: SAIR: Vol. 4: No. 46: May 22,2006).

Militant groups have threatened to block the highways on several occasions when the owner's of commercial vehicles refuse to pay the 'revolutionary taxes' demanded. On February 1, 2006, for instance, services of passenger and transport vehicles running along the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 were cancelled following the threat of an unidentified militant group to increase the extortion amount collected from vehicle owners.

Insecurity on the highways is compounded by repeated militant attacks on Security Force (SF) and commercial vehicles. As these highways pass along rough hilly terrain, the over-extended SFs can do little to pre-empt attacks. Looting and harassment of commercial and personal vehicles by armed miscreants is also a common occurrence and over 200 cases of looting and dacoity were reported on NH-39 in 2003 and 2004. Some of the more recent and prominent incidents of this nature include:

May 13, 2006: Heavily armed men looted two Manipur-bound passenger buses on the NH-39 at Jakhama in Nagaland.February 15, 2006: Five security force (SF) personnel were wounded in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion triggered by suspected UNLF cadre along NH-39 at Sangakpham in Imphal East District.September 9, 2005: Unidentified gunmen looted three vehicles along NH-39 at Leingangpokpi area in the Chandel District. August 24, 2005: Unidentified gunmen looted six passenger vehicles plying along the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 in the Leingangpokpi area in Chandel District. July 20, 2005: Suspected NSCN-IM militants blew up a bridge along NH-53, located between Khongsang and Noney in Tamenglong District.

There have also been a number of attacks on tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas and diesel/ petrol over the years. Militancy has also disrupted road construction and maintenance work on these highways, as militants have hijacked vehicles and abducted and harassed construction workers. Work along NH-150 had to be repeatedly stalled because of the State Government's inability to provide adequate security coverage to Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers. In one incident, four personnel of the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) were abducted by unidentified militants from a place near Jiribam in the Imphal East District on October 31, 2004. The abductors reportedly demanded INR Five million for their release. They were subsequently released on November 10, 2004. Following that incident, the BRTF suspended road construction and maintenance work from Jiribam to Barak on the NH-53 in 2004. Work only resumed in June 2005 when better security cover was provided.

Frequent blockades by protestors on the highways are another crucial challenge, and these has severely affected the well being of the entire State and led to acute scarcities of essential commodities, including life-saving medicines, on several occasions. Indeed, the blockade of highways has become the most common and effective method of protest adopted by agitating groups in the State to bring pressure on the Government. It is useful, in this context, to recall the 52-day long 'economic blockade' imposed by the All Naga Students' Association of Manipur (ANSAM) from June 19 to August 11, 2005, in protest against the State Government's decision to declare June 18 as 'State Integrity Day' in honour of 18 persons killed while protesting against the extension of ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM in Manipur. Surprisingly, the 52-day blockade was followed by another three-day highway blockade from August 10-12, 2005, imposed by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee demanding a new district in the Sadar Hills of the State. Subsequently, the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) imposed an 'indefinite' highway blockade from midnight, May 15, 2006, (which lasted till May 21)) demanding better education facilities in the Hill Districts of Manipur.

Ironically, despite these repeated and disturbing incidents and persistent extortion on the highways, the Manipur State Government fails to initiate effective action to bring the situation under control. An Indian researcher provided all these information. He might have refrained from uncovering further information. What he informed is enough to guess what will happen to the vehicles and crews that will cross the region along the proposed Asian Highway.

On the other hand India will use this highway to squeeze Bangladesh. It may often impose ban on the movement of Bangladeshi vehicles along this highway, which will cause a lot to its economy. India may halt and delay the movement of the Bangladeshis vehicles for days in the name of searching the contrabands in the vehicles.

The detoured highway excluding Bangladesh will remain incomplete. It will not solve Indian problems and Bangladesh will retain its importance both to India and other Southeast Asian nations, if it is not connected with the controversial detoured highway. Bangladesh needs to remain static and rigid to its current position of denying detoured Highway. Rather it should work with patience to implement the original map of the Asian Highway. We should not bend down to Indian pressure or propaganda by its stooges who claim that Bangladesh will lose a lot if it is not connected to Asian Highway prescribed by India. Actually Bangladesh will lose nothing if it remains disconnected with the detoured Asian Highway.

Bangladesh should better try to open a new door of road link through mutual understanding with Myanmar. If it is possible, all the east-bound vehicles will use Bangladesh-Myanmar Highway instead of the detoured Asian Highway through troubled Northeast Indian region. Indian propaganda and pressure should not scare our scare our present policymakers. All types of Indian pressure and conspiracy should be faced with patience and vagour.*

Mohammad Zainal Abedin is an ex freedom fighter, writer and a free lance journalist , Bangladesh
E Mail : noazabd@gmail.com
http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate...000000000147626

[MB444]

India is directly aiding terrorist and meddling in our affairs. It should be reported to the International court of justice and branded a nation which directly supports and assists terrorists in destabilizing other nations.

To Kolkata, for refuge
Staff Correspondent

Politicians, businessmen and criminals, who have been on the run to escape arrest since the army-led joint forces began a countrywide combing operation two weeks ago, are seeking refuge in India, allegedly with the help of some police and intelligence personnel.
Bangladeshi criminals who are now well-established in different places of West Bengal, especially Kolkata, are providing them with shelter and ensuring their security, using their influence on the local administration, sources in the intelligence agencies and the underworld told New Age.
Some politicians, who have links with the underworld, and some businessmen, who have amassed huge wealth through illegal means, have managed to cross the border.
Many others, who have gone underground since the beginning of the operation, also want to flee the country but are finding it difficult to come out of their hideouts because of heightened vigilance by the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles on the border,’ said sources close to the joint forces.
Giasuddin al-Mamun, a close business associate of the senior joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, and the infamous Awami League leader Shamim Osman are among the major figures to have crossed the border.
Dhaka City Corporation ward commissioner Chowdhury Alam, one of the leading money-makers during the tenure of the immediate-past government, and Monowar Hossain Dipjal, another ward commissioner, are said to be residing in Kolkata as well.
‘There are dozens others, including criminals, commissioners and political leaders, who have managed to reach Kolkata since the imposition of emergency on January 12,’ said an underworld operative over telephone.
Fleeing the country whenever there is an anti-crime drive has over the years become an easy option for criminals and their political patrons.
According to available information, Prakash was the first to flee to India when the Awami League government branded him, his brother Bikash, Sweden Aslam, Joseph and Haris Ahmed Haris as most-wanted criminals and issued warrants for their arrest in 1998.
Prakash consolidated his position in Kokata with the direct blessings of Hasan, a notorious smuggler of Jessore who, along with gangland leader Tapan Malitha, controls the long route from Jessore to Kolkata for cross-border smuggling.
Prakash controls those who use the route to smuggle Indian goods into Bangladesh. He provides safe passage not only to smugglers but also to Dhaka’s criminals.
Criminal leaving Dhaka for Kolkata used to communicate with Prakash for a safe stay but there are now some others like notorious criminals Subrata Bain and Khandaker Tanveer Islam Joy who are able to provide shelter and ensure security to them.
Both fled Bangladesh and settled in West Bengal permanently after the immediate-past BNP regime put them on the list of most-wanted criminals in 2001.
Dhaka’s criminals identified Kolkata as a better place to stay when Emon, after his arrest by the Kolkata police, was released on bail in 2000.
An accused in at least 15 murder cases, Emon fled to Kolkata after allegedly murdering actor Sohel Chowdhury in December 1998, and has stayed there under the shelter of Prakash.
Bangladesh requested India to hand over Liakat Hossain Liakat, Arman, Kala Jahangir and Nitel after they were arrested by the Kolkata police on November 19, 2002. But they were all subsequently released.
The most-wanted criminals Subrata Bain, Khandakar Tanveer Islam Joy, Molla Masud, Haris Ahmed Haris, Kamrul Hasan Hannan (younger brother of the arrested criminal Liakat Hossain), Prakash, Imam Hossain, Aga Shamim, Moshiur Rahman Kochi and Jafar Ahmed Manik are staying in rented houses at Dumdum, Broad Street, Sealdah, Beck Bagan and a few other areas in Kolkata.
These criminals had maintained links mainly with the BNP and the Awami League and also the politicians who have links with crime and corruption.
Jishan has been absconding since he and his associated gunned down two Detective Branch personnel at the Hotel Sunrise at Malibagh on May 14, 2003.
He is staying at a hotel in Sealdah. Emon of Dhanmondi is staying in Dumdum while Zakir, brother of Sweden Aslam, is staying near New Market.
Chhanga Babu and Nabir Hossain Nabi of Mohammadpur, Mobile Kader of Mirpur, Laren, Reaz, Ganda Jahangir, Tajgir, Ekhtiar (accused in DB murder cases) of Motijheel, Dakat Shahid of Old Town, Ronnie of Maghbazar and Sarwar of Narayanganj who left Bangladesh amid frequent killings of alleged criminals in crossfire in 2004 are staying in different residential hotels in Kolkata and adjoining areas.
They got huge money sent to them by their understudies in Dhaka.
The police say these criminals have been involved in all types of criminal and illegal activities like murder, extortion, mugging, hundi and smuggling of firearms and drugs for decades.
Sources in the intelligence agencies said the politicians and businessmen had crossed the border changing their identity.
‘Indian military and border security force are keeping a close watch on the border. Their intelligence is so strong that they could catch anyone within half an hour of him crossing the border,’ said an intelligence official.
‘They have information that Mamun and others crossed have the border,’ he claimed.
‘Though all of them are beneficiary of the immediate-past government but we have provided them shelters only on humanitarian ground as they are in danger now,’ said a gangster who gave shelter to more than a dozen of businessmen and politicians in Kolkata.

[Maruf]

We cannot stop the Indian intel agencies from aiding the forces inimical to Bangladesh's security. What we can do, however, is spreading our own intel network deep inside India to cultivate good working relations with the forces inimical to India's security. It calls for more budgetary allocation for the DGFI and a change in the operational doctrine to support missions beyond the boundary of Bangladesh.

[akzaman]

Bangladeshi criminals take refuge in Kolkata: Reports

Dhaka, Jan 28: Most of Bangladesh's underworld dons, wanted criminals and politicians with godfather image have taken refuge in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, to escape the on-going police raids, media reports claimed.

Most of the local newspapers ran front page stories over the past one week, mentioning that many of the Bangladeshi criminals were now well established in Kolkata and some other parts of West Bengal, and were running businesses allegedly with the help of their Indian mentors over there.

Slipping of Giasuddin al-Mamun, a close business associate of Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of immediate-past Khaleda Zia her Bangladesh Nationalist Party's senior joint secretary general, to India with the assistance of a section of lawmen from both sides of the border was reported prominently in many newspapers.

Awami League leader Shamim Osman, a bank-loan defaulter businessman Obaidul Karim, ward commissioner Chowdhury Alam, and Monowar Hossain Dipjal are among many others who have crossed the border to India since the army-backed interim government took over on January 12. The government launched a combine operation against the criminals and corrupt people in a bid to free the country's politics from the influence of money and muscle powers.

A Bangla language newspaper, Ajker Kagoj, reported on Saturday from Kolkata that Mamun was being given security by a group of Bangladeshi criminals. The Bangladesh Government had announced bounty a few years ago for capturing him. "Mamun passes his time in holiday mood in Kolkata," headlined the vernacular daily.

New Age, an English language newspaper, reported quoting intelligence sources that Bangladeshi criminals who are now well-established in different places of West Bengal, were providing them with shelter and ensuring their security, using their influence on the local administration Some politicians, who have links with the underworld, and some businessmen, who have amassed huge wealth through illegal means, have managed to cross the border, it said.

"There are dozens others, including criminals, commissioners and political leaders, who have managed to reach Kolkata since the imposition of a state of emergency on January 12," said an underworld operative over telephone from Kolkata.

The New Age reported according to available information, a number of Bangladeshi wanted criminals took shelter in Kolkata over the last few years. The most-wanted criminals Subrata Bain, Khandakar Tanveer Islam Joy, Molla Masud, Haris Ahmed Haris, Kamrul Hasan Hannan (younger brother of the arrested criminal Liakat Hossain), Prakash, Imam Hossain, Aga Shamim, Moshiur Rahman Kochi and Jafar Ahmed Manik are staying in rented houses at Dumdum, Broad Street, Sealdah, Beck Bagan and a few other areas in Kolkata.

These criminals had maintained links mainly with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League, and also the politicians who have links with crime and corruption. Many other criminals who got huge money sent to them by their understudies in Dhaka also took refuge to West Bengal and run informal cross border trading between the two countries.

Police say these criminals have been involved in all types of criminal and illegal activities like murder, extortion, mugging, and smuggling of firearms and drugs for decades.

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?...549&sid=SAS

[akzaman]

India shuns Bangladesh TV Channels:


http://www.amadershomoy.com/news.php?id=133683&sys=3

[akzaman]

Yunus for Dhaka-Delhi-Islamabad highway link

Pallab Bhattacharya, from Kolkata

Prof Muhammad Yunus has suggested building a highway network connecting India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and introducing "Saarc passports" for people of the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The Nobel laureate, now in Kolkata to receive Shera Bangali (Best Bengali) award, made the suggestion addressing a press conference yesterday. He also called for introduction of "Saarc scholarships" at the universities of the region. Replying to a question, Prof Yunus said the deadlock in Indo-Pak relations is holding back strengthening of the spirit of Saarc. "The future of Saarc hinges on improved relations between India and Pakistan. As there is no amicable resolution to the disputes between these two countries, our work as Saarc members is not complete," Yunus, also the founder of Grameen Bank, told the press conference.

On India's repeated charges that fundamentalist and terrorist groups operate against India from Bangladesh, he said "I do not find any endorsement of this view in my country." Yunus, who had expressed his willingness to float a new political party in Bangladesh for the forthcoming elections, said he is awaiting people's response. "If they say 'go ahead,' I will join politics... form a party. I am ready to take this risk. My politics will be to build a new country... set a new trend in politics."

The Nobel laureate said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is keen on boosting small credit and has sought his advice on a law being considered by the Indian government for overseeing micro-finance activities in the country. 'The prime minister has sought my advice on the proposed law, which I will give," he said adding there was need for legal framework for promotion of social activity in the country.


"I have also spoken to NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) and RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and a new law is being considered in India for overseeing the micro-finance programmes, which would be done by NABARD." Yunus said that in his discussions with Singh on micro-finance activities in India "we agreed that its pace was slow and needed to be increased."

He said the micro-finance concept in vogue in Bangladesh could also work for India as it involved similar kind of people. At present over 100 million people have benefited from micro-financing across the world. Half of the beneficiaries live in India (34 million) and Bangladesh (16 million), he added. Emphasising the need to spread micro-finance and social business in every walk of life, he called for setting up micro-credit banks in India.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/13/d7021301085.htm

[Maruf]

India has bracketed Bangladesh with China and Pakistan in an watch list of foreign investment that could pose potential threat to its national security. The sectors that have been identified as sensitive are telecom, ports, airports, shipping, oil refining and gas pipelines. It is an Indian way to limit the trade and commerce with Bangladesh and other nations. India does not want its neighbours make money from its market.

http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#18

Bangladesh appears on Indian list of doubtful FDI sources
New Age Desk

Bangladesh has been bracketed with Pakistan in an Indian watch list of sources of foreign direct investment, which could pose potential threat to the South Asian giant’s national security.

A high-powered panel of Indian bureaucrats has asked the country’s National Security Council to prepare guidelines to regulate investment from companies registered in China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and North Korea, Indian media reported.

Cabinet secretary BK Chaturvedi headed the 19-member committee of secretaries which stressed the need for stringent guidelines for watching investments from specific areas, nations and firms with greater care.

The guidelines, once approved, will be followed by Foreign Investment Promotion Board and Reserve Bank of India, while allowing investments from countries and firms of doubt, it said.

India’s national security body earlier identified 18 sectors including telecom, ports, airports, shipping, oil refining and gas pipelines as sensitive sectors and stressed greater regulation of FDI from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and North Korea.

It said the existing monitoring system lacks proper mechanism to check suspicious funds coming to sensitive locations and sectors of India from countries of concern.

The latest warning on doubtful foreign investment came on the heels of concerns raised by India’s national security adviser M K Narayanan at a recent global forum that terrorist groups raise fund from stock market manipulation for fictitious companies.

He called for lifting banking and corporate privacies as he cited cases of funds, intended for terrorist groups, being channeled into India through banks from locations like Dubai and UAE.

The terrorist groups are involved in legitimate business enterprises like restaurants, real estate agencies and shipping and use part of their proceeds to siphon off funds for their terrorist activities, he said.