Bangladesh News and Discussion

[shyamd]

The connectivity conundrum in Bangladesh

Sandeep Dikshit
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Mangla Port ready to send and receive cargo from Bhutan, India and Nepal, Chairman tells visiting journalists

“We are ready to send and receive cargo from Bhutan, India and Nepal,'' Mangla Port Chairman Commodore M.A.K. Azad told visiting journalists about plans to use jetties at the confluence of two major rivers on the edges of the Sundarbans for trade that goes beyond Bangladesh's borders.

A host of issues remain to be sorted out but Commodore Azad is confident that by the time these are settled, goods from the three countries could begin moving from here, marking a major turn in ties among the four SAARC members. Close by, another symbol of SAARC cooperation — a thermal plant to be jointly built by Bangladesh and India — is taking shape. The confidence expressed by Commodore Azad is in tune with the sentiments expressed by Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina last month about promoting physical connectivity with countries in the South Asian region.
Major drive

After achieving Independence in 1971, Bangladesh has alternated between enthusiastic and splenetic approaches to connecting up with near neighbours. “This is a major drive of my foreign policy,” Ms. Hasina said on her first visit to Agartala last month. “If Bangladesh has to survive we have to develop a symbiotic relationship with our neighbours,” senior Foreign Ministry official Syed Masood Khandekar told the visiting journalists in Dhaka.

If transhipment or transit to the three countries becomes a reality in the coming years, Bangladesh will earn additional revenue from Mangla, where cargo handling has not kept pace with the rapid increase registered at other ports in the region. For traders from Kathmandu, Thimphu and India's northeastern States, transportation time and cost could come down provided Bangladesh's charges for using its roads, railways and port are not too stiff.
Environmentalists’ fear

Several hurdles, common to countries in the region with multiparty, democratic set-ups, remain to be crossed. For one, environmentalists are already agitated over the impact of the coal-fired plant on the fragile health of the Sundarbans. In parallel, the Opposition is trying to rev up protest against land acquisition.

There are logistical issues too. The power plant wants to use two Mangla port jetties for bringing in supplies. The existing users complain that coal dust will be a major dissuading factor for users from Bhutan, Nepal and India. But the other alternative of constructing brand new jetties would push up electricity tariff. Dhaka also has also to take a call on widening roads and strengthening bridges — it took the journalists an entire day and more to cover about 400 km from Dhaka to Khulna.
Acrimony

The bigger question is: will Bangladesh be able to sustain the enthusiasm expressed by the ruling Awami League-led coalition? The window for ensuring greater connectivity of all types — people-to-people, trade and energy — seems to be closing as politics becomes more acrimonious in the run-up to next year's elections. The main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and its partner, the Jamaat-e-Islami, are boycotting Parliament and have planned a major march to Dhaka next month to seek the ouster of the Hasina government. Both parties have maintained for several years that the proposal for greater connectivity is an Indian ploy to dominate the region.

In this worsening political atmosphere amidst high inflation and a slowing economy, analysts wonder whether the drive to connect India, Nepal and Bhutan, besides Thailand and China, be sustained?

[shyamd]

India, Bangla close to extradition pact

Kalyan Barooah
NEW DELHI, Feb 24 – Extradition of ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia appeared imminent, with India and Bangladesh close to signing the Extradition Treaty, even as Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram advocated speedy issue of visas to Bangladeshi nationals to curb illegal migration.

The second Home Minister level talks between India and Bangladesh concluded on Friday with the two sides discussing all contentious issues including extradition of Chetia, illegal migration, border fencing, smuggling.

Bangladesh raised the issue of border firing and tracing the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. The talks were also joined by National Security Adviser, Shiv Shankar Menon, Foreign Secretary, and Ranjan Mathai among others.

Talks covered a wide range of issues mainly relating to border management, mutual legal assistance treaty, repatriation of prisoners, issues relating to visa. Discussions were extremely cordial and fruitful. Both sides approached the matter in a practical and workman like manner, so that we can find solution to the ground, Chidambaram said.

The two sides identified 185 patches of border land which would be taken up for joint survey. The extradition treaty and revised travel agreement are likely to be finalized in talks scheduled in April, said sources.

Briefing newsmen later Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Bangladesh Home Minister Shahara Khatun said at a joint press conference that all issues were discussed at the meeting today When asked about Chetia’s extradition, Khatun said there is no problem anywhere in any matter when it is discussed sincerely and in a cordial atmosphere. “I am hopeful this matter would also be resolved. It was discussed at the table today and god willing in the near future you will be able to write that it has been resolved.

There is absolutely no problem. We are committed to delivering him to Government of India. Like in India, Bangladesh also has a legal process to follow. It is working its way through the Courts, and as soon as the court process is over, you will have him. We have no intention of holding even one day more than necessary,” added adviser to the Prime Minister, Dr Gowher Rizvi.

“The extradition treaty is on the final stages of consideration by Government of Bangladesh and I think it is moving forward,” said Chidambaram replying to a question.

On illegal migrants’ problem, Chidambaram dished out a new theory stating that at the moment after India liberalized its visa regime some 50 lakh visas were issued to Bangladeshis, last year.

Much of the problem of illegal migration has been resolved by quickening the process of issue of visas and increasing the number of visas that are given to Bangladeshis. “There is no reason for any Bangladeshi to cross over illegally,” he argued.

“But I do admit that some crossings do take place and we have to strengthen the border management. We did address this problem also and identified the BOPs which are vulnerable and both sides would strengthen border management at these BOPs,” Chidambaram said, stressing on the need to find practical solutions.

When asked about growing activities of the fundamentalists groups in Bangladesh, the Khatun said that such activities are unacceptable. Such fundamentalists’ exists in many countries and not only in Bangladesh.

[brihaspati]

MB is now the villain for BD. BD media is presenting MB as the spanner in the wheel of Indo-BD relationship. MB has put her feet down over the issue of Farakka barrage cracks. The 13 party part of the 14 party AL coalition has met without AL and decided to go against the AL line of EC supervised elections under incumbent gov.

I feel more and more sure that the next round will be nearly equal equal with a slight edge for BNP+Jamaat. If that happens, end of all goodwill flights by dynasty and amatyas and Rabindrasangeet.

[shyamd]

A very important agreement. India is pulling out the stops to keep the current govt in power.
Good electricity import price set

Dhaka, Delhi sign deal; price fixed at around Tk 4.66/ unit; supply to start by June next year

Pallab Bhattacharya, New Delhi
Bangladesh will start receiving 250 megawatts of electricity from India by June next year at a reasonable price under a purchase agreement signed in New Delhi yesterday.

The agreement was signed between Power Development Board of Bangladesh and National Vidyut Vikas Nigam at the Oberoi Hotel during a meeting of the Joint Steering Committee, headed by the power secretaries of the two countries.

The power from India will travel through an inter-connected grid, Bangladesh Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told journalists in the Indian capital.

He said Bangladesh would be getting the electricity for Rs 2.8o per unit, which is about Tk 4 per unit.

However, according to yesterday's currency rates, Rs 2.80 is about Tk 4.66.

Meanwhile, PDB officials in Dhaka said a maintenance charge of Tk 0.20 per unit could be added to the electricity price fixed. A PDB high official said the authorities expected that the price would be under Tk 5 per unit through negotiation and that the price fixed was within expectations.

Zaid Bakht, research director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, said the rate is at par with the rate in which India sells electricity in its local market. However, Bangladesh will have to pay in foreign currency, which will mount pressure on its foreign exchange reserves, he said.

Yesterday, Azad said both sides at the meeting expressed satisfaction at the pace of work in Bangladesh and India for the completion of the transmission line connecting the power grids of the two countries.

The 250MW of electricity will be transmitted to Bangladesh through the Baharampur (India)-Bheramara (Bangladesh) grid, he said.

Yesterday's signing of the agreement is a follow-up to the joint communiqué issued at the end of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in January 2010.

The power will be sourced from the 10 percent unallocated quota of a number of India's state-owned power plants. Each Indian plant has 10 percent electricity that remains unallocated, said the Bangladesh power secretary.

He said both sides explored the possibility of purchasing power from the Farakka plant but the cost per unit turned out to be on the high side at Rs 3.80 per unit (around Tk 6.32 as of yesterday) and "Bangladesh was looking for electricity at low cost".

Azad said Bangladesh would also float a tender for buying an additional 250MW of power at market rate from India as a follow-up to the joint communiqué.

He said the Joint Steering Committee meeting, which was preceded by a meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group on power sector cooperation on Monday, also agreed to form a joint venture company next month for the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant at Ramban in Bagerhat. An MoU in this connection was signed between PDB and India's state-owned National Thermal Power Corporation in Dhaka last month.

According to Azad, both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the newly-incorporated company Bangladesh-India Maitree Bidyut Kendra next month when land development work for the proposed plant is expected to begin.

Replying to a question, Azad dispelled apprehensions about the environmental impact of the plant. He pointed out that as per environmental norms no power plant should be set up within 12km of the Sundarbans buffer zone. The proposed project is 14km away from the Sundarbans, he said.

He cited more reasons as to why the environment would not be affected by the proposed Ramban plant. Firstly, the direction of the wind at the plant site is south east to north west in the summer and the reverse in the winter, which clearly means that ash contents of the plant will not be carried towards the Sundarbans, he claimed.

Secondly, the proposed power plant will use imported high-grade coal in which the ash content is just 0.2 percent.

Thirdly, the plant will have in place an environment mitigation plan.

The power secretary said India had also agreed in principle with Bangladesh's proposal for jointly developing the immense hydro power potentials of the north-eastern Indian states, including Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, sourcing electricity from the first unit of Palatana power project in Tripura and acquiring a stake in the project's second unit.

The Joint Steering Committee meeting decided to set up a six-member technical team comprising three members each from Bangladesh and India to study the possibility of joint power projects in the north-eastern Indian states and also buying power from the first unit of Palatana gas-based power plant in Tripura, Azad said

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had declared during Hasina's visit to the state in January this year that his government was willing to give to Bangladesh 100MW from Palatana project.

The team will also study all the proposals for joint development of power projects in north-eastern India and submit its report in three months, Azad said.

Answering another question, Azad said Bangladesh would have to invest about $1.2 billion to acquire a stake in the second unit of Palatana power project.

In another important development, Azad said India has informally given its green signal to allow export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian power grid.

The Indian side asked the Bangladeshi team to begin talks with Nepal for import of power from the Himalayan nation.

Azad said Bangladesh had already informally asked Nepal about power purchase but no formal proposal could be mooted in the absence of a green signal from India. Now that the signal is 'available', "We will soon approach Nepal to expedite formal talks on importing electricity from Nepal."

While Azad led the Bangladesh delegation at the Joint Steering Committee meeting yesterday, the Indian delegation was headed by its Power Secretary P Umashankar.

[BijuShet]

From "Tribune" (posting in full)
Saudi diplomat shot dead in Bangladesh: police

Motive of the killing yet to be ascertained.
By AFP - Published: March 6, 2012
A Saudi Arabian diplomat was shot in the chest and died in the Bangladesh capital in the early hours of Tuesday.
DHAKA: A Saudi Arabian diplomat was shot in the chest and died in the Bangladesh capital in the early hours of Tuesday, the deputy commissioner of Dhaka police told AFP.

Police found Khalaf Al Ali’s body at an intersection just two buildings away from his residence in the city’s upmarket Gulshan district and rushed him to a hospital where he died three hours later, Lutful Kabir said.

“He was hit by a bullet in the left chest,” he said, adding that the 45-year-old was the head of Saudi citizen affairs at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.

The police did not give any indication of who might have been behind the attack.

The embassy confirmed the death, but would not give further details.

Saudi Arabia is a key ally of and a major donor to Bangladesh. More than two million Bangladeshis work in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom, accounting for a quarter of the country’s total overseas population.

[Samudragupta]

Iran does not seems to go down without a fight.....

[brihaspati]

But BD politicos will find a trace to RAW ...and another example of how India wants to destabilize BD. But there has been some rumours for some time about internal opposition to the Saudi regime - trying to expand their bases in the neighbourhood. Good game.

[brihaspati]

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/l ... ?nid=36306
50 million for Khaleda from ISI for elections: alleges newspaper

The Khaleej Times report published on Saturday under the headline "Asghar Khan's petition finally comes up for hearing" mainly deals with a petition filed by Pakistan's former Air Force commander-in-chief Air Marshal Asghar Khan against 140 million Pakistani rupees doled out by the establishment through the ISI to a select group of anti-Benazir Bhutto politicians in 1990.

The report adds: "Another Rs 50 million was allegedly paid to Bangladesh's Khalida (Khaleda) Zia to help her in polls against Hasina Wajid's (Wajed's) Awami League generally perceived by Pakistan's security establishment as pro-India".

[saip]

Bangladesh criticizes India's ban on cotton export

"India banned on export of cotton leaving aside trade rules and regulations. We think it is against the norms of international trade," Hossain told the newsmen at the hurriedly called press conference.

Link

This norms of international trade only apply, I guess, to Indian exports to Bangladesh but not the other way around like allowing India to get gas from their country.

[shyamd]

The view of Indian diplomats/negotiators from a former BD Foreign ministry official.
Meet the Indian diplomat

Ashfaqur Rahman

Diplo-macy in India can be traced to the times when the great epics, Ramayana and the Mahabharata were written. The Bhagavat Gita, which is also a sacred book of the Hindus, is a fine tutorial on diplomacy. The text here is a battlefield dialogue between Arjun the warrior and Krishna, the Vishnu incarnate, who was the chariot driver.

Krishna tells Arjun how one's speech should have the following qualities: "it should not disturb the mind of the listener, should be precise, should be truthful as far as possible, pleasing to the ears and if need be of some utility to him." Truth is not shown as the highest virtue. Rather the premier place goes to the need that it should not cause distress to the listener. Precision and good language are therefore part of any Indian diplomatic dialogue.

In the fourth century BC the political analyst Kautilya in his Arthashastra said that what produces unfavourable results is bad policy. A policy is to be judged by the results it produces. To him diplomacy is an art which need not concern itself with ideals. It must achieve practical results for the sovereign.

When the Mughals came to India, the Rajput clans used diplomacy to appease them. Thus, when Emperor Akbar proposed to marry a Hindu Rajput princess, Jodhabai, who was the eldest daughter of the Raja of Amber, she was persuaded to give her immediate consent. This cemented the bonds between two different races and religions. The Indians also used pompous social festivals like the traditional "Rakhi" ceremony to tie the knot of fraternity among monarchs. Recall how Raja Man Singh of Gwalior also gave the irresistible classical singer Tansen as a "gift of appreciation" to Emperor Akbar. It was to gladden the heart of this powerful sovereign, who could otherwise be a difficult proposition. Diplomacy is, therefore, deep inside an Indian's psyche. Its centrepiece is tolerance and conciliation.

Fast forward to present day India. The diplomats from that country are the scions of these great traditions. They pursue their national objectives now with greater sophistication and better negotiating skills. Their canvas has expanded not only to include the neighbouring states of South Asia but the world at large.

It may, therefore, be interesting to meet such an Indian diplomat who also doubles as a negotiator. The person is usually a complex and highly imaginative individual. His behaviour is influenced greatly by his cultural values. At times, this may lead him to be inconsistent in his behavior. On his own, he is very aggressive. But as a part of a team he tends to be passive and demure. Then he does not express any views, unless it is a part of the consensus which was reached earlier with other members of his negotiating team. But his rich imagination expresses high aspirations. He may also join in creative problem solving.

Indian culture is hierarchical. Top down decision is the norm. A subordinate diplomat rarely differs with his seniors. He would at most disagree with the nature of the decision or the way it is being implemented. One cannot, therefore, expect maverick behaviour from him.

The Indian negotiator sometimes has an exceptional ability to analyse. The rapid growth of software industry in India would not have been possible without such a skill among the Indians in general. This also means that he is discerning and is able to quickly find flaws in the arguments put forward by the opposing side. India is perhaps one of the most nationalistic places on earth. The diplomat-negotiator is, therefore, sensitive to advice from foreigners. He will then react quickly as his sentiments are easily aroused.

The Indian diplomat often takes a subjective view of time. He does not feel the same sense of urgency in solving bilateral or multilateral issues as other country's negotiators. He has what can be called more of a "being" than a "doing" attitude. For this he may be labeled as a foot dragger.

An Indian diplomat always seeks a lot of information. He will subject this information to a lot of analysis before he draws up his line of argument.

When you start negotiating with an Indian diplomat on any matter, he will at first express his reluctance to accept your proposal. He will try to squeeze you as much as possible. He will negotiate for months or even years to get the best deal. Eventually, you will get so tired negotiating for the last 5% that you could eventually agree with him.

Finally, contractual or treaty obligations do not have the same sanctity with him as with others. The Indian diplomat usually operates in a somewhat chaotic environment. There are political uncertainties, judicial delays, nationalistic concerns, sensitivity of state governments etc. This suggests the need for flexibility. So, given a chance an Indian diplomat would prefer open ended obligations.

Now, with such unconventional behaviour, how should we negotiate with the Indians? How do we engage them and find mutually acceptable solutions on substantive matters such as the determination of land and maritime boundaries, peace at the border, or sharing the waters of the common rivers? Given the political will on both sides, we must know how the behaviour of the Indian diplomat would impact the outcome of any negotiations. First, we must understand that any negotiation process with India will necessarily be long and time consuming. Second, contractual obligations of India cannot always be taken seriously. The matter of implementing the Indira-Mujib Accord and the signing of the accord on Teesta are just two of the many cases where the Indians acted in a casual way in implementing their commitments. A changed situation on the ground may also tempt Indians to request fresh negotiations. In that case, it would be wise for us to introduce new parameters, each time there is a shift by them, in meeting international obligations. Harsher conditions could be laid down to desist them from taking recourse to casually postponing the implementation of agreements.

Third, the Indian perception of fairness is often different from that held by a Bangladeshi negotiator. This could be quite disturbing. Fairness in deciding contentious issues usually has two dimensions -- the outcome and the process. On either count, we could find ourselves in the lurch. So we have to see that our national interest is not compromised in any way. We must be able to persuade the Indians through cogent arguments, quoting precedents and referring to good practices round the world, to get the best result.

In the end we need to induce the Indian side to relax their rigid stance. They must be encouraged to work in tandem to produce win-win outcomes.

Frank Lloyd Wright is reported to have once said: "I know the price of success -- dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen ."

For Bangladesh, this is the dictum that may see us through our relations with India, for the time being.

The writer is a former ambassador and a regular commentator on contemporary issues. E-mail: [email protected]

[brihaspati]

BD has won the maritime borders/exploitation zone dispute with Myanmar in international arbitration. Now the pressure is on to go the legal way with India. More Rabindrasangeet and more transfer of enclaves should help.

[abhishek_sharma]

According to the Hindustan Times, Bangladeshis were cheering Paki team during India-Pak cricket match.

[brihaspati]

They must be the non-existent lunatic fringe who are completely unrepresentative of BD society in general. Moreoever, what is to be done even if they do cheer Pakis! Should that stop us from engaging and having dialogoues and investing financially?

[abhishek_sharma]

Here is the link

Two centuries in the Pakistan innings by openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed had most in the stadium rooting for Pakistan. They were a lot muted as India, led by Sachin Tendulkar, took the fight to the opposition.

---

A few months after 1971 war, Bangladeshis were telling an Indian delegation:" Hindu dogs, go back." (according to J. N. Dixit's book).

--

[chetak]

According to the Hindustan Times, Bangladeshis were cheering Paki team during India-Pak cricket match.

This is just routine ummah news. Nice that the Indian stuck it to them publicly.

Even if mamta gave away west Bengal to them along with all the water in India, they would still cheer for the pakis. But they want our money and our aid becaues they are "entitled" onlee.

Inspite of all the centuries past, we will never learn.

[sum]

India is perhaps one of the most nationalistic places on earth. The diplomat-negotiator is, therefore, sensitive to advice from foreigners. He will then react quickly as his sentiments are easily aroused...........
An Indian diplomat always seeks a lot of information. He will subject this information to a lot of analysis before he draws up his line of argument.

When you start negotiating with an Indian diplomat on any matter, he will at first express his reluctance to accept your proposal. He will try to squeeze you as much as possible. He will negotiate for months or even years to get the best deal. Eventually, you will get so tired negotiating for the last 5% that you could eventually agree with him.

Interesting observation about our babus by a outsider...

[sum]

According to the Hindustan Times, Bangladeshis were cheering Paki team during India-Pak cricket match.

From what i could see on TV,there seemed to be quite a lot of Cheering for Indians too.

Or maybe was it only the Indians in the crowd? ( Did see loads of Indian flags though)

[Rahul M]

link sum sahab ?

there is usually a 25% 75% division in favour of India and bakistan. this time it was 100% at the start because they wanted pak to win which would have made their road to the finals easier.

[sum]

^^ No link. Eyeball Mk1 onlee.

Maybe, i felt there was decent Indian support since i was expecting a hostile crowd with zilch clapping for Indians but it wasnt as bad as i expected. Visuals did show many, many guys waving Indian flags though ( might have been Indian visitors)

[shyamd]

Bangladesh to felicitate Indian defence officers

Building the Bangla story

Josy Joseph, TNN | Mar 26, 2012, 05.50AM IST

Building the Bangla story
History bestows a unique position to Bangladesh in South Asia. It is the region's only nation to be created out of an armed struggle, giving it a solid foundation as a nation-state .

But the country's moderate government lives under constant threat and this became clear when a military coup was foiled last December-January . That apart, the government wages a grim war against fundamentalist forces. The nation faces other challenges as well-the impact of climate change, large-scale migration, poverty and illiteracy. Almost all major challenges facing the world seem to be in Bangladesh and solutions to many of these likely to emerge from within.

But the government's fragility remains the biggest worry among Bangladesh watchers . With the constitution amended at least seven times, democracy trampled by dictators and a powerful streak of fundamentalism running through the heart of its political life, the road to a stable democracy is tough.

In recent years, Sheikh Hasina's government has impressed observers with its astute handling of many of these challenges. Especially noticeable has been its efforts to crack down on fundamentalism and sideline the influence of extremists in the national political life. Religious fundamentalism is not just Bangladesh's challenge. It's a reality most South Asian nations, including India, are grappling with. But no government in the region has been as consistent against these forces of disruption in recent years.

Bangladesh has some distance to cover before democracy finds a sound footing. Over four decades, the country has had its share of military coups and political violence. In 1975, the euphoria of winning a united independence struggle gave way to the blood-stained realities of a coup, when army officers assassinated Sheikh Hasina's father Mujibur Rahman. In the next four decades or so, the narrative hasn't varied much. The 1980s were mostly spent under military rule, and there was a brief glimpse of it in the latter part of the last decade.

But, there are signs of government institutions maturing and becoming robust: the December-January crackdown a case in point. But this is not to say stability is here to stay. Individuals carry out coups, institutions build nations.

The country is also at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Almost a third of Bangladesh is flooded during monsoon and when cyclones strike. Droughts and other climate issues are no stranger to Bangladeshis. More than 100 million of its 140 million live in villages and are exposed to the worst climatic fury.

Almost two-thirds of this densely populated nation is less than five metres above sea level. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's fourth report had warned that Bangladesh could face heavier monsoons and floods in coming years. The economic cost of climate change is estimated at 1% of the country's GDP.

With development slack, thousands keep crossing over into India. The presence of a large number of Bangladeshis, some say up to 10 million illegal immigrants, in India has become a political issue here, but New Delhi must shed securitization of the issue. Migration has to be dealt with as an economic issue. Work permits and free border movement have to become realities.

With its resolute action against Indian separatists and a balanced approach towards other bilateral issues, the Hasina government has built strong ties with New Delhi. The move could accrue the South Asian nation huge benefits. But the question is if this firming up of bilateral ties would hold on in the chaos of Bangladesh's domestic politics . The upswing in bilateral ties is visible. When PM Manmohan Singh visited Bangladesh in September 2011, the two sides found a solution to the border enclaves issue. The PM announced unfettered 24-hour access across the Teen Bigha corridor and import of 46 textile items. Bilateral trade in 2010-11 stood at about $5 billion, but is skewed in India's favour. Unless this imbalance is corrected, a free trade pact between the two sides may not find favour in Bangladesh.

For Bangladesh, its history has indicators for the future. It was the Pakistani government's sloppy response to the Bhola cyclone of 1970 that intensified resistance to West Pakistan's authoritarianism . Following Pakistani military's Operation Searchlight , killing thousands on March 25, 1971, Bangladeshis launched their armed struggle.

A great sense of nationalism is the foundation on which the country is built. It needs enlightened leadership to build on its foundations.

A NATION'S JOURNEY

BANGLADESH OBSERVES MARCH 26 AS INDEPENDENCE DAY THAT MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THEIR STRUGGLE FOR LIBERATION FROM PAKISTAN

1952 |

The Bengali Language Movement is the first sign of growing friction between East and West Pakistan

1960s |

Awami League begins autonomy stir

1966 |

League chief Sheikh Mujib jailed

1969 |

Mujib released after popular uprising

1970 |

Cyclone kills half a million in East Pakistan. Islamabad's response poor

1970 |

Mujib's Awami League wins majority in Parliament, blocked from taking office

March 25, 1971 |

Pakistan President Yahya Khan launches Operation Searchlight

March 26, 1971 |

Mujib arrested, millions massacred, refugees flood into India

March 27, 1971 |

Bangladesh's declaration of independence

Dec 3, 1971 |

Indo-Pak war begins

Dec 16, 1971 |

Pak surrenders Mujib freed on 8 Jan, 1972, becomes PM

Aug 15, 1975 |

Mujib and most of his family assassinated

1977 |

Lt Gen Ziaur Rahman takes over

1981 |

Zia assassinated

Mar 24, 1982 to Dec 6, 1990 |

Lt Gen H M Ershad becomes president after coup

1991 |

Zia's widow Khaleda becomes PM Awami League led by Mujib's daughter Hasina wins in 1996, loses to Khalida in 2001 Hasina wins landslide in 2009

[KLNMurthy]

The view of Indian diplomats/negotiators from a former BD Foreign ministry official.
Meet the Indian diplomat

So Bangladeshis are araps now? And Indians are an alien race and alien culture for them? What a crock.

[Varoon Shekhar]

The stand-offishness and superciliousness is amazing. It's as if anything Hindu or Sanskritic is totally alien to the Bangladeshis.

[Shafqat]

A very long time overdue ... 40 years ... but better late than never!

Friends of freedom honoured
Expressing its deep debt of gratitude, the country yesterday honoured individuals and organisations from across the world for their wholehearted support to its liberation in 1971. President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the awards on the nation's foreign friends at a special ceremony at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The state accolades, titled “Bangladesh Liberation War Honour” and “Friends of Liberation War Honour”, went to 83 -- 75 individuals, six organisations, Mitra Bahini (allied forces) and the people of India.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/n ... nid=228046

[member_20036]

Seven Bangladeshi women held on prostitution charges
Mar 28, 2012, 07.58PM IST PTI

NASHIK:

Seven Bangladeshi women were today arrested for allegedly being part of a prostitution racket that was operated from nearby Musalgaon industrial area, police said.

The arrests were made after police had busted a flesh trade racket from the area near Sinnar on Nashik-Pune highway earlier this month and detained 41 girls, they said.

It was revealed during investigation that the arrested girls are Bangladeshi nationals following which they were formally arrested, police said, adding one of them is a minor who was shifted to remand home.

Police had last week apprehended four Bangladeshi men for illegally staying in India without passports and running a human trafficking racket.

The women are identified as Ramoni Begam Jabarul Shaikh alias Ramoni Afsar Mina Shaikh (24, resident of Jadhabpur, Bangladesh), Begum Idadul Miritha alias Swati Badal Shaikh (28), Parvin Din Hussain Shaikh alias Parvin Azad Shaikh (25), Jalimmulla Bap Ahmedmulla alias Madhu Bikram Bishyap (20), Ruma Shaikh Mitaur Shaikh alias Runa Mina Shaikh (25), Nasrin Shaikh Sujan Shaikh alias Nasrin Tajali Shaikh (25).

According to police, four of the seven women arrested are wives of the Bangladeshi men nabbed last week

http://www.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/arti ... 443877.cms

[shyamd]

Pune police collecting info of Bangladeshi nationals

Published: Saturday, Mar 31, 2012, 13:24 IST
By Sandip Dighe | Place: Pune | Agency: DNA

As many as 530 Bangladeshi nationals lodged at the Yerawada Central Prison will have to return to Bangladesh immediately after serving their sentences. Of these, 90 have been convicted while the rest are awaiting verdicts of cases filed against them. The repatriation becomes possible due to a recent treaty signed between India and Bangladesh.

The state police have begun collecting information about all Bangladeshi nationals arrested for alleged involvement in various crimes notwithstanding whether they have been convicted or not.
The joint secretary of the Union home ministry had sent a letter to the state government on February 10 seeking information in this regard. Accordingly, the home department recently sent instructions to all police units and correctional institutions in the state following which the headcount of Bangladeshi prisoners began.

According to the letter by Union home ministry, Indian and Bangladeshi prisoners who are languishing in jails will be repatriated after serving their sentences.

The sources in prison department said most of the Bangladeshi prisoners in Yerawada jail are women who had been arrested for alleged involvement in human trafficking, illegal migration and drug trafficking.

A senior officer from Yerawada jail told DNA, "Most Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested during raids on various brothels. As of now, we don't have any say on whether they will return to Bangladesh after serving their jail term. However, the new treaty will sure give more teeth to the police and other law enforcement
agencies.''

Other senior police officer from Pune police commissionarate said, "As per the state home department's instructions, we have directed senior police inspectors to collect information about Bangladeshi prisoners. After collecting the information, we would send information to the home department,'' he said.

[Prem]

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2012/03/3 ... cyber-war/

A cyber war between Bangladesh and India broke out last month as Bangladeshi hackers defaced Indian border security Force's website in protest of the recent border killings by BSF. When news broke out in Bangladeshi media on February 11, 2012 that Indian hacker groups, Indishell, Hindustan Cyber Army and Indian Cyber Army hacked five Bangladesh government ministry websites in retaliation, their Bangladeshi counterparts, Bangladesh Black Hat Hackers (BBHH), Bangladesh Cyber Army (BCA) and 3xp1r3 Cyber Army (3CA) joined in the frenzy. Between February 11 -14 reports claimed that over 400 Bangladeshi sites were hacked by Indian hackers and thousands of Indian websites were attacked by Bangladeshi hackers and many of them were defaced.

A Blogger Kowshik warns [bn] that some political elements, especially the religious party Jamaat-e-Islami are using this cyber war to spread their hatred against India. He warned internet users not to fall into their prey

[member_20036]

Abduction, gunfight on Bangla border
Apr 3, 2012, 04.28AM IST TNN
[ Subhro Maitra ]
MALDA:
After a long lull, the India-Bangladesh border erupted in a gunbattle between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) on Sunday when some men from across the border passed filthy comments at some Indian women bathing in the Pagla river.
There was tension all night as some Bangladeshis 'abducted' two Indian men and the BSF detained an alleged Bangladeshi miscreant. A flag meeting was held on Monday to defuse the tension and exchange the detainees. There are reports that 12-14 rounds were fired by both sides on Sunday, but the official version is of two rounds of"blank fire".
The alleged gunfight occurred at Milik Sultanpur in Baishnabnagar, where a long stretch of the border is unfenced and Pagla river serves asthe boundary. The Bangladeshi settlement on the other side is Chakpara, Chapai Nawabgaunj.
Some Indian women were taking bath in the Pagla on Sunday afternoon when some Bangladeshis,who were also in the river, made obscene comments. The menfolk were furious and accosted the Bangladeshis, leading to a scuffle. It is alleged that two Indians, Tariqul Sheikh and Salam Sheikh, were abducted across the border.
BSF jawans, who could see the scuffle from their post, reportedly fired warning shots at the Bangladeshi miscreants. The BGB allegedly retaliated with a volley of gunfire. Villagers say that the crossfire continued for some time but thankfully there was no casualty.
The 'abduction' of the Indians triggered tension in Baishnabnagar. Pressure was mounting on BSF 134 Battalion to rescue the 'hostages'. The BSF made contact with the commandant of BGB 39 Battalion and it was decided to hold a flag meeting on Monday. The meeting was held at Chakpara after which Tariqul and Salam were handed over to BSF. A Bangladeshi, too, washanded over to BGB.
A BSF deputy commandant conceded that there was a tension on Sunday following the "abductionof two Indians" and that "there were two rounds of blank fire".

http://www.timesofindia.com/city/kolkat ... 512293.cms

[abhishek_sharma]

Bangladesh remembers: Smt. Arundhati Ghose (former diplomat)

[member_19686]

Road blockades cause immense public sufferings

The capital's traffic system almost collapsed Thursday due to road blockades by students and slum dwellers in separate issues, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.

Hundreds of buses, cars and other modes of transports remained stranded on the roads for hours, prompting the passengers to reach their respective destinations on foot. Office-goers and Higher Secondary Certificates (HSC) candidates suffered most due to the gridlock caused by the protests.

The severe traffic disruption occurred in the overpopulated capital as students of Dhaka University blockaded Shahbagh intersection, disrupting vehicular movements there and its adjoining areas to protest the recent attack on minority Hindus in Satkhira district.

Witnesses said dozens of students, mostly from Jagannath Hall of the country's highest public educational institution blockaded the busy road from Elephant Road to Matshya Bhaban by burning down tyres and other objects about 11:00pm.

As hundreds of vehicles got stranded, a severe traffic gridlock spilling onto Elephant Road, Science Lab intersection, Farmgate and Matsya Bhaban continued for three hours.

Police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the agitating students to ward off violence.

The protesters said students of Fatehpur High School at Dakkhin Sripur of Satkhira's Kaliganj upazila on March 26 staged the drama 'Hujur Kebla', written by Abul Mansur Ahmed, to mark the Independence Day.

A local newspaper reported that Islam was disgraced in the drama, they said. The report made local Muslims angry with the school's assistant head teacher Mita Rani and other Hindus in the area, the protesters said.

They reportedly looted around eight homes of Hindus, including that of Mita, and set fire to those Monday.

The demonstrators withdrew the protest about 2:00pm after the assurance of taking necessary actions against the culprits by the Home Ministry officials.

At the same time, hundreds of evicted residents of Korail slum in Gulshan staged demonstration by halting vehicular movements on the street from Mohakhali to Gulshan Circle-1 protesting against Wednesday's eviction drive that left them homeless.

Their protest also halted traffic in the adjacent areas causing the gridlock on the busy Airport Road, Banani, Jahangir Gate, Tejgaon and adjacent areas with hundreds of vehicles stranded.

Traffic at the Kemal Ataturk Avenue and the Mohakhali flyover came to a halt during the protest.

"It's horrible. Dhaka is no longer a city to reside. It should be called an abandoned city," said an employee of a private firm Aminur Rahman, who travelled to Mogbazar on foot from Banani of the capital.

"We must come out from that kind of traditional attitude in the name of protest as it hurts common people heavily for which they are not responsible at all," a retired government official Akhter Uzzaman told the FE while heading towards Motijheel from Elephant Road.

They requested the government to upgrade the city's traffic management system as it often collapses whenever such incidents occur in the city.

A traffic sergeant at Shahbagh Intersection said they have nothing to do but suspending traffic during such protests. "I've passed the most toughest time today," he added.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/m ... 2012-04-06

[Shafqat]

Editorial
Indian minister's 'assurance' on river linking projects
It cannot allay Bangladesh's concern
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/n ... nid=229754

Indian water resources minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's reported assurance through a press conference in New Delhi that neighbours need not worry over river linking projects, earlier given a go-ahead by the Indian Supreme Court, is rhetorical rather than substantive. He has merely said that those have been 'backburnered' and therefore the co-riparian country's apprehensions are 'misplaced'. We hope these are, but given the realities on the ground, Bangladesh cannot feel relieved, let alone reassured on the issue vital to its national interest.

The minister elaborated his point adding it is 'a long-drawn process' involving sorting out of issues concerning environment, forests and the like, apart from preparing memorandums of understanding and development project reports. The statement is at best equivocal and at worst exclusionary.

However nuanced the words used by the minister may be, the palpable fact is that pushing a project on to the backburner is not the same thing as categorical retraction from an earlier stance nor is it indicative per se of an inclusive approach to a co-riparian country. India has every right to develop its own river water resources, but not certainly at expense of the co-riparian and in Bangladesh's case it is a life and death issue of a lower riparian country. What is at issue is the sharing of common river waters which are also international rivers by definition. The natural and historical flows of common rivers can only be interfered with to the ecological and environmental peril of the lower riparian country in particular.

Following recent media repots about the survey of the Brahmaputra as part of the Indian project and other reported studies fresh concerns have been raised in Bangladesh over the ongoing Indian process centered around river interlinking projects. Experts here point to a lack of transparency in the overall Indian approach. Bangladesh feels being kept in the dark about the planning and operational details of the massive interlinking project.

In this context, we suggest that India take four steps in a spirit of good neighbourliness reciprocating Bangladesh's recent positive gestures to New Delhi. To our mind, India needs to issue a detailed clarification on the river interlinking projects; involve co-riparian countries in surveys and studies undertaken on common river water resources and take into serious account Bangladesh's impact assessments as a co-riparian. Above all, New Delhi should embrace and work on basin-wise management of cross-border rivers, an agenda embodied in the joint communiqué signed between Indian and Bangladesh prime ministers, during the latter's New Delhi visit in 2010.

[brihaspati]

People should look up the story of an alleged Razakar involved in atrocities in '71- the so-called Bacchu razakar aka Maulana Abul Kalam Azad - who apparently escaped through the Hili border within the last few days into India on his way to Pakiland to avoid being arrested and tried for war-crimes.

This man - with his vividly hennaed beard, was often seen on well-known BD based TV channels, delivering lectures on Islam and sharia, until recently.

The fact that he had the obvious help of people who knew he was to be nabbed, shows again how deep runs the support base of Islamism within the BD state. And on the sidenote, Malaysia has signed an agreement to fund and invest in the planned Padma bridge - a prestige issue for AL gov, after World Bank accusations of corruption and witholding of funds and ADB backing away.

We heard no protests from the media of BD, protesting against "foreign investments" in crucial infrastructure and danger of loss of "sovereignty" as is typically the case whenever India crops up in questions of investment.

Malaysia is an Islamist country - hence no noises of loss of soverignty from BD intellects and "voices of the nation".

[abhishek_sharma]

Moni visit next month, Teesta, extradition pacts on table

[shyamd]

Stuck at a turn

THEN Few countries have more reason to be close and have such a touchy relationship. The Indian elite often saw Bangladeshis as ungrateful for India's assistance in winning them independence. Dhaka's leadership complained about New Delhi's highhandedness on water, immigration and
land issues. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party headed by Khaleda Zia has consistently made defiance of India one of its campaign planks. However, the core source of New Delhi's irritation with Dhaka was its belief Bangladesh was allowing itself to be used as a haven for Northeast rebels and Pakistan-backed terrorists. As long as Bangladesh refused to do anything about these concerns, New Delhi treated Dhaka as the capital they had to tolerate but not deal with.

NOW A massive window of opportunity swung open when Sheikh Hasina Wajed's Awami League swept the polls in 2008. Sheikh Hasina decided to spend much of this political capital to transform relations with India. Her visit to India with a 123-member delegation in 2010 put in place the contours of a broader, swifter engagement.



Hasina worked hard to address India's security concerns: among other things, top ULFA leader Arabinda Rajkhowa was handed over and the terror conduits from Pakistan were closed down. Senior Indian officials say that Bangladesh "gave complete security cooperation over the past three years".

This paved the way for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit last year. It should have been a historic summit, a giant sweeping away of all the cobwebs and detritus that had accumulated for 40 years. Answers to all existing problems were there: land enclaves, river water sharing, Northeast transit, trade and investment, and so on.

At the last moment, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee put a spanner in the works and let the air out of the visit. She blocked the Teesta water treaty, leading an angry Bangladesh to freeze the transit agreement and five other river agreements.

WHY With 80% of Parliament behind her, an economy buoyed by natural gas finds and strong military backing, Sheikh Hasina believed she had a mandate to erase India as a "problem" in Bangladeshi politics. It was also about changing the Bangladeshis "blame it on India" mindset and neutralising an issue used against her by the nationalist Khaleda Zia and Islamicist groups.

Mamata Banerjee's intervention, seemingly driven by a dual desire to blackmail New Delhi for funds and weaken the Congress Party's hold on North Bengal, has left Indian officials in cold sweat. With Bangladesh going to the polls, all that has been negotiated is at risk. Bangladeshi foreign minister Dipu Moni is privately believed to have pushed for deep-sixing the entire India policy, but Sheikh Hasina continues to hold the line.

NEXT Two scenarios face the relationship. The best would be for the Centre to strike a deal with Banerjee and allow the shebang to quickly go through. There should be no doubt as to how big this would have been for India - a foreign policy coup on the scale of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The more likely one is that a moth-eaten version of the deal, minus transit, Teesta and an enclave agreement, will go ahead. India will have to pray Dhaka's next government will uphold what has been agreed to and agree to finish the rest later. Assuming that Kolkata changes its attitude.

A big opportunity

[brihaspati]

If India "gives" then it is okay from BD. BD has recently been emboldened by its "win" through international arbitration - a huge chunk of ocean territory from Myanmar. Openly both the gov and opposition as well as general so-called civil society has rooted for a similar drive to "take away" from Indian claims. The gov has openly hinted that if it is returned to power by the people - it will - "Allah willing" extract a similar territorial victory against India.

Indian investment proposals are consistently and violently as well as activist-wise - obstructed. The power project has been similarly consistently obstructed just as Tata's were.

Next term, it is touch and go for AL. The BNP is also more likely to come to power due to the 10% swing that determines results. Gone will be the so-called window which never existed actually.

[AbhiJ]

Very few communities have suffered so much in their own homeland as Hindus of Bengal, and that too at the hands of their Arabised/Islamised compatriots. While Hindus in West Bengal are declining both in number and the politico-administrative system, in Islamic Bangladesh they are victims of a systematic ethno-religious cleansing. Post-partition, while Sikhs and Hindus in West Pakistan were subjected to jhatka, in East Pakistan they became items for halal. The Nehru-Liaquat Pact (1950) actually went against Hindus of East Pakistan while ensuring greater consolidation of Muslims in India.

Bengal was partitioned in 1947, with the Muslim-majority areas, including the Buddhist majority Chittagong Hill Tracts (97 per cent) and Khulna (Hindu-majority), forming East Pakistan (29 per cent Hindus). In Bangladesh, they have now been reduced to eight per cent; in Khulna they are 22 per cent; and, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts the Buddhists are less than 50 per cent.

In Bangladesh Parliament, out of 330 members, Hindus and Buddhists account for just five seats. Compare it with Muslim representation in the West Bengal Assembly: They have 59 seats out of 294. Not just that, Hindus of West Bengal, particularly their women, are often victimised by their Muslim neighbours, as in the Deganga riots led by a Muslim Trinamool Congress MP. This patent unevenness between Hindus in Bangladesh and Muslims in West Bengal is pushed below the carpet by our pseudo-secular scholars, including Abhijit Dasgupta who, along with a few other intellectuals, has edited the book under review.

One of the best articles in this collection is by Abul Barkat, an well-known scholar for his work on the sufferings of Bangladeshi Hindus inflicted by the Vested (Enemy) Property Act, which has deprived Hindus of 45 per cent of the land owned by them.

Japanese scholar Masahiko Togawa recounts the grim condition of Hindus in Bangladesh, their insignificant representation in the services (based on a 20-year-old document, but the situation is no better currently), dispossession of property, abduction/rape/ forced conversion/forced marriages of Hindu women, non-building of the Ramna Kali Bari, etc. However, Togawa blunders in comparing them with Muslim minorities in India, evidently caused by the misrepresentation of facts by many Indian pseudo-seculars like Abhijit Dasgupta and Sekhar Bandopadhaya who mischievously compare the condition of the assertive and fast-growing Muslims of West Bengal with the persecuted Hindus in Bangladesh, and even concocting a “parallel story” of marginalisation of Muslims in West Bengal. Bandopadhaya, mentions Jogendranath Mandal, a Labour Minister in Pakistan without mentioning this Cabinet Minister’s flight to India.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edit ... ities.html

[shyamd]

How many people will be happy if GoI spent $1billion to keep the current Bangla govt in power?

Indo-Bangla diplomacy set to intensify

Fri, Apr 27th, 2012 10:11 pm BdST

Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent

Dhaka, Apr 27 (bdnews24.com) – Bangladesh and India are set for about two weeks of intense diplomatic activities, say officials.

Foreign minister Dipu Moni will be visiting Kolkata to receive the prestigious Mother Teresa International Award on Apr 29 while finance minister is set to meet his Indian counterpart at the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Manila from May 2-5.

Indian finance minister Pranab Mukherkjee will travel to Dhaka from May 5-6 to take stalk of the joint prime ministerial statement of September last year.

Dipu Moni will travel to New Delhi to jointly chair the first Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) Meeting which was formed under the framework agreement on development and cooperation.

The JCC meeting will discuss a wide range of issues including water sharing, connectivity, border security and trade.

Mother Teresa Award

The foreign minister has woned the award for social work and administration, said a source in the foreign ministry.

When asked if there was any possibility to meet West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the source said that since the foreign minister was visiting Mamata's town and there was every possibility that their paths would cross at some point. "But there is no scheduled meeting so far."

Bangladesh and India failed to strike an interim water sharing deal for the Teesta River during Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit last year due to Mamata Banerjee's strong resistance.

ADB meeting

The 45th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank will begin in Manila and finance ministers of Bangladesh and India will be attneding.

"They will meet on the sidelines where they might discuss economic and other issues," said a foreign ministry official.

Economic issues have taken on a stronger significance with a growing Bangladesh-India bilateral trade. But it remains heavily tilted towards New Delhi's favour.

In 2010-11, there was over $5 billion worth of bilateral trade in which Bangladesh's exports of about $500 million accounted for only a tenth of the volume.

"This meeting is important as India opened up its market for Bangladeshi products in September last year and the neighbouring country is also providing $1 billion line of credit for different development projects including some connectivity projects," he explained.

Bangladesh, has so far, submitted projects involving over $850 million and has started to receive Indian buses under the credit line.

Pranab visit

The Indian finance minister will come to Dhaka to attend the concluding session of Tagore's 150th birth anniversary programme in Dhaka.

He would also discuss with relevant authorities about the implementation of the joint statement issued by the two prime ministers in September last year

He would also meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina during the visit.

JCC meeting

The commission was formed after Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka and this would the body's first meeting.

"The JCC is an umbrella platform where any pending and forward looking issues can be discussed," said the foreign ministry official.

The body's predecessor, the joint economic commission, had its last meeting in 2003 where the then foreign ministers Morshed Khan and Jashwant Sinha presided.

[Hiten]

a BAF trainee pilot made a force landing in Indian territory on 25th. was sent back

http://sevensisterspost.com/?p=7880#

[brihaspati]

I feel that AL is unlikely to return to power in the next round. No matter how much India invests, anything that may benefit India out of that investment will be resisted. Only one way transfer of benefits is required. Even after that the Islamist core of the BD rashtra is alive and kicking. Time will show what all this propaganda about "investments" alone overturning all the deep-seated theological and cultural biases - actually amounts to.

[Roperia]

There is huge hue and cry on the cyber world because of the following news story. It has been alleged that RAW has trained some goons for AL (and not some specialized squad for BD govt) to carry out "kill or capture" missions.

To me it seems as if this was some sort of CT squad that we prepared and Begum Khaleda Zia is portraying this as a nexus between RAW and AL to eliminate her sympathizers to weaken her politically.

The context to all this is that some politicians from Zia's party have "disappeared" and Begum Khaleda Zia alleges that Sheikh Hasina is somehow involved in that.

This story also appeared in the Free-Press-Release.com but seems to have been removed. Here is the google webcashe

The Bengal Tigers in the R&AW cage

( April 23, 2012, Dhaka, Sri Lanka Guardian) Strictly scrutinized 100 armed cadres of the ruling Awami League in Bangladesh, who received 6-month long extensive commando training at Dehradun in India under the direct supervision of Indian espionage agency the Research and Analysis Wing are continuing various types of activities, including secret killing, abduction etcetera since June of 2010 with the mission of “clearing” a large number of politicians, media personnel and members of the civil society in Bangladesh. The team codenamed “Crusader-100” went to India during end September 2009 and stayed there till mid June 2010, where brilliant commando trainers of Indian Army gave extensive training to these people under the disguise of “training few young commandos of Bangladesh Army”. The entire project of “Crusader-100” was originally conceived by Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the project was coordinated directly by the Bangladeshi Prime Minister and her defense advisor Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui.

Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui maintains special connection with Indian RAW and British MI6 for decades, since he was in army service. Such relations of RAW and MI6 with him was because of his family relations with Sheikh Hasina. When Bangladesh Awami League formed government in January 2009, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui became extremely important in the government due to his official position as the defense advisor to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister as well as his personal identity of being the brother-in-law of Prime Minister’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana. The selection of the entire batch of ruling party cadres, who were sent to India for commando training were directly done by Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui and a few of his loyal colleagues and retired army officers, while on return of the members of the “Crusader-100” team from India, they were provided a hit list comprising names of opposition politicians, members of Bangladeshi media and some members of the civil society. According to information, the list contains names of more than 83 people, who are planned to be “cleared” by the members of the “Crusader-100” gang. The members of these specially trained hitters are housed inside several buildings at Dhaka’s Gulshan and Baridhara areas. The Baridhara “bases” of the hitters is maintained directly by Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui and each of such places are equipped with sophisticated surveillance equipments as well as entry of civilians are restricted within these premises. Leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, M Ilias Ali, who became victim of enforced disappearance recently, was also named in the list of Crusader-100 force. My New Delhi contacts disclosed few of the names of the hit list, which include, political leaders Amanullah Aman, Mirza Abbas, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, M Ilias Ali, Habibun Nabi Sohel, Abdullah Al Noman, Barrister Abdur Razzaque, Shafiul Alam Pradhan, ASM Abdur Rob, Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini and Moulana Fazlul Karim. Awami League and RAW have decided “clearing” the listed names latest by December 2013, which they consider to be “vital” for the ruling party in Bangladesh in returning into power.

The gang of Crusader-100 is equipped with sophisticated small and medium range weapons, mostly with silencers as well as bullet-proof jackets, gas bombs and vehicles for their operations. Some of the members of this gang use satellite phones to skip interception of any of the Bangladeshi intelligence agencies. Each of the members of this gang received healthy financial package alongside various types of extra benefits, including apartments in Dhaka city for the members of their families and small businesses. They are not allowed to show faces during the day-time and mostly required to stay inside their bases in Dhaka city. In case of emergency, when the members of the team are required to go on street during the day time, they are compulsorily required to wear black-tinted helmets, to hide their faces from the public. By rotation, members of the team are secretly taken to India for a break of 7-10 days for “amusement” purposes. In such cases, they are allowed to cross Bangladesh-India borders without any travel documents.

[shyamd]

That's BS. If Sheikh Hasina wanted to do it she could easily send these 100 people to remote forests and train with private security companies lol. Psyops to drive people's emotions, HuT have been doing te same for many years.