ARCHIVE
National People’s Inquiry Commission formed to probe
all the grenade and bomb attacks across the country.
A National People’s Inquiry Commission was formed on 19 February 2005 to probe all the grenade and bomb attacks across the country.
Professor Kabir Chowdhury was made Chairperson of the 21-member commission while Justice KM Sobhan will act as the co-chairperson and journalist and writer Shahriar Kabir as member secretary. The commission will investigate all the bomb attacks and political killings that took place since March 1999 when a bomb exploded in the Udichi conference in Jessore. It will publish a probe report with recommendations on August 21 this year.
Other members are Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) A K
Khandakar, Barrister Shawkat Ali Khan, Poet Shamsur Rahman, Singer Kalim
Sharafi, Hena Das, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) C R Dutta, Pramod Mankin MP,
Barrister Amir-ul Islam, Barrister Shafique Ahmed, Professor Borhanuddin
Khan Zahangir, Professor A A M S Arefin Siddiqui, Professor Abdul Khalek,
Professor Anupam Sen, Professor Ajay Roy, Litterateur Hasan Azizul Haq,
Columnist Mohiuddin Ahmed and Journalists Bazlur Rahman, Journalist Kamal
Lohani and Journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury.
The commission will also form a 41-member secretariat to conduct the investigation. Persons intending to provide any information regarding the attacks are requested to contact the commission’s office at Ga-16 Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 or send e-mail at ganatadanta_bangladesh05@yahoo.com
12 Mujahedin activist arrested contemplating sabotage in public places
12 militants held with important materials 3 arrested
at JU Ekushey programme with timer, jihad tape; Dhamrai militants carry
bomb-making formula Star Report
Twelve suspected extremists were arrested from Dhamrai, Jahangirnagar
University (JU) and Joypurhat Sunday night.The six arrested from Dhamrai
were found with bomb-making formulas, masks, wigs and important documents
belonging to an extremist organisation, while JU authorities also found a
timer and an audio tape containing a speech protesting attempts to arrest
Osama bin Laden, Mufti Fazlul Haq Amini and Shaikhul Hadith Azizul Haque.
Intelligence agencies, meantime, have mounted surveillance on a number of mosques in the north-western regions of the country in the wake of a recent wave of bomb attacks on various NGOs, including Brac and Grameen Bank.
DHAMRAI ARREST
A patrol team of Dhamrai police challenged eight youths as they were
walking by Joypura Jora bridge on the Dhaka-Aricha highway at 1:00am
yesterday. Two of the youths ran away when they saw the police, and
remaining six were arrested.
It has been learned that four of the six Abdul Wahab, 26, Yakub Ali, 21, Faruq Hossain, 34, Rafiqul Islam, 18, Nurul Islam, 20, and Anwar Hossain, 23, -- are students of the area's Sharifabad Madrasa. "Each of them was carrying a bag," Tareq Kamal, officer-in-charge of the Dhamrai Police Station, told reporters.Searching their bags, police found pieces of glass, five diaries and a notebook, dresses for girls, masks, fake beards and moustaches, wigs and bomb-making formulas complete with drawings. Police said all of the youths were wearing lungis and pajamas,, but that each carried with them two extra dresses. Police also found three pairs of shoes, muri (rice bubles), cakes, soft drinks and bottles of drinking water.
The youths claimed they were returning from a feast at
one Delwar Hossain's house, but police could not find anyone by that name
in the area, raising doubts about the youth's motives for roaming the
highway at night. They identified the two who fled as Nantu and
Salam.Local sources said Wahab, a resident of Kayetpara in Dhamrai, is the
leader of the team. His brother Jahangir Alam, a grocer at Dhamrai Bazar,
expressed ignorance
about his brother's occupation when speaking with reporters.
A police source said the arrested disclosed the names of eight members of 'their people'. Local police officials suspected, based on the recovered items, that the youths were preparing to undertake an operation. Several police sources said the extremists have a safe den somewhere in the area, where they are training young members. Reporters have not been permitted to speak with the arrestees.
JU CAPTURE
At approximately 8:00pm on Sunday, JU Assistant Proctor Qamruzzaman Monir
challenged three youths wearing panjabi and pajamas during a function on
the occasion of International Mother Language Day at the university
Shaheed Minar. The youths, who claimed to be students of Dhaka College,
were recording the cultural function on an audio cassette.
But the JU authorities later learned that two of the young men, Aminul Islam and Salabuddin Rana, are students of Pallabi Aftab Uddin Madarsa, while the other, Taha Ibne Hasan, is a student of Bhawal Badre Alam College in Gazipur. "As we asked about their motive, they gave us contradictory statements," JU Proctor Muhammad Ali Akond Mamun told The Daily Star last night. The JU authorities found a cassette containing a speech of an unknown religious cleric who defended Osama bin Laden, Mufty Amini and Shaikhul Hadith, saying anti-Islamic forces failed to arrest them despite repeated attempts. The speech had been recorded a few days earlier. Finding a timer with them, the JU authorities handed them over to the Savar police. They arrested mentioned names of two JU students Sajan, a resident student of AFM Kamaluddin Hall, and Panna of Meer Mosharraf Hossain Hall.
The young men told police during an interrogation at the Savar Police Station yesterday that they went to the university to enjoy the programme. They failed, however, to give a satisfactory answer for carrying a timer.
JOYPURHAT
Police arrested three extremists of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB)
from Kalai and Sadar upzila of Joypurhat. They are Golam Mostafa and
Delwar Hossain of Baniapara of the Sadar upzila and Sobhan, alias
Salauddin, of Belghar village under Kalai. Speaking to The Daily Star,
Joupurhat Police Station OC Iqbal Shafi confirmed the arrestees to be
members of militant groups.
"Two of them were arrested earlier in connection with an attack on police at Maheshpur village under Khetlal upzila in 2003, but were later released on bail a couple of months ago," he said, adding that Mostafa is also an accused in the bomb attack in Dinajpur. A number of books related to revolution were seized from Delwar. Kalai police suspect Sobhan was involved in the bomb attack at the Brac office at Kalai Sadar last week.
VIGILANCE
Police high ups recently deployed members of intelligence agencies to the
listed mosques in the Northern region, hoping to ascertain which clerics
were known to deliver ultra-religious statements and preach Zihad, a top
official in the police headquarters said seeking anonymity. Sources said
intelligence members have also been deployed at various mosques in the
Sylhet and Khulna regions. "The intelligence mounted watch in the mosques
where disciples of the operation commander of Jagrata Muslim Janata
Bangladesh (JMJB) and Dr Asadullah Galib of Rajshahi University are
carrying out activities and discharging duties as Imam," said a top police
official seeking anonymity. Intelligence members have also been ordered to
arrest the zealots and thoroughly interrogate them.
Police arrested three activists of Jama'atul Mujahidin
from the Water Development Board mosque in Thakurgaon on Thursday night.
The arrestees are Amanat Ullah, Mamun ur Rashid and Mahbub Alam. Following
the statement police raided the house of one Asiruddin, 50, of Laxmipur
village in Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon and seized bomb making materials,
acid, splinters, electrical wire, batteries, a dummy rifle made of bamboo
and rod, some books and leaflets as well as a motor cycle. Police said the
arrestees admitted to police that they were carrying out anti-NGO
propaganda at the direction of Bangla Bhai, operation commander of Jagrata
Muslim
Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), and Dr Asadullah Galib of Rajshahi University.
Earlier, in the first week of February, police arrested 12 members of Jama'atul Mujahidin activists from a mosque in Natore. Superintendent of Police (SP) of Thakurgaon Khandaker Golam Faruq said there are thousands of mosques, but such activities. "It is not possible to watch every mosque by limited forces," he said.
The Daily Star: 22 February 2005
Kibria, 4 AL men killed in grenade attacks: 70 wounded as killers throw 2 grenades on AL rally in Habiganj
Former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria and four other Awami League (AL) activists were killed in a grenade attack on an AL rally at Boidder Bazar in Habiganj yesterday evening. About 70 others were injured in the grisly attack, similar to the August 21 carnage on Sheikh Hasina's rally in the capital last year that had claimed 23 lives and left several hundred wounded.
The four other dead were identified as Kibria's nephew Shah Manjurul Huda,
40, and AL activists Siddique Ali, 35, and Abdur Rahim, 50, of Bongaon
village and Abul Hossain of Shayestaganj.
The AL called a countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal for tomorrow protesting
the attack. It blamed the BNP and the Jammat for the carnage and planned a
'non-stop agitation' after the shutdown. District unit AL also called for
a daylong hartal today in Habiganj.
Immediately after the attack, critically wounded Kibria and Habiganj
District AL General Secretary Abu Jahid were rushed to the capital by an
ambulance. Kibria died on the way to Dhaka and doctors at Birdem Hospital
declared him dead at about 12:30am, soon after he was taken to the
hospital.
Kibria's nephew Shah Manjurul Huda, AL activists Siddique Ali and Abdur
Rahim died on the spot. Abul Hossain who was brought to Dhaka along with
three others died at Birdem at about 1:00am.
An advisor to the Awami League, Kibria was elected a member of parliament
from Habiganj-3 constituency in the 2001 general elections.
In instant protest, people torched a ruling BNP office and at least 15
other establishments, vandalising some of them, in the northeastern
district town, 15km off the spot. Additional police forces were called in
to quell the tense situation prevailing in the district.
Habiganj Superintendent of Police Abu Musa Fakhrul Islam said primarily
they were suspecting it to be a grenade attack. But an investigation could
confirm whether those were grenades, he added.
Kibria went to Habiganj on Wednesday on an organisational tour. His elder
brother Shah Shamsul Huda and nephew Shah Manjurul Huda accompanied him.
He spoke as the chief guest at the meeting organised by Laskarpur Union
unit of AL.
The namaj-e-janaza of the late AL leader will be held today after Juma
prayers at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. A decision on his burial
will be taken on arrival of his son from abroad.
THE ATTACKS
Witnesses said the first grenade was hurled at the end of the rally at
Boidder Bazar Primary School playground when Kibria was about to board his
car after speaking at the rally.
District AL Joint Secretary Alamgir said the grenade was hurled at Kibria
at about 7:05pm. "It was a close call," he said as Kibria sustained
serious injuries all over his body.
Former chairman of Habiganj Pourashava Shahid Uddin Chowdhury, a witness
to the grisly incident, told newsmen later that when leaders were getting
down from the dais after the meeting, the first grenade was thrown at them
and then the second one came when they ran for cover.
Hit by splinters, the former finance minister and others fell to the
ground. Kibria became unconscious sustaining injuries on different parts
of his body with his two legs fatally wounded.
He was first rushed to Habiganj Sadar Hospital where resident medical
officer Dr Abdullah gave primary treatment to an unconscious Kibria. After
consultation with party President Sheikh Hasina, local leaders decided to
send him to Dhaka by an ambulance as they failed to manage a helicopter.
The conditions of district AL Joint Secretary Alamgir, Organising
Secretary Rajan Chowdhury and General Secretary of district Awami Ainjibi
Parishad advocate Abdul Ahad Faruq were also reported critical. They along
with scores of other wounded AL leaders and workers were admitted to
Habiganj Sadar Hospital.
At Habiganj Sadar Hospital, where 37 people with splinter injuries were
rushed in, was overcrowded with the friends and relations of the victims.
Relatives alleged of lack of proper treatment and absence of doctors at
the hospital. Click here for more
PROTESTS
Hearing the news, AL's student, youth and volunteer wings -- Bangladesh
Chhatra League (BCL), Jubo league and Swechchhasebak League -- took out a
joint protest procession from the party central office on Bangabandhu
Avenue in Dhaka.
The protestors later held a rally on the avenue. Swechchhasebak League
General Secretary Pankaj Debnath, Dhaka City AL Joint Secretary Hazi Selim
and BCL President Liakat Sikder addressed the rally, with Jubo League
Chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanak in the chair.
At last night's emergency meeting of AL working committee, the opposition
party called for a hartal tomorrow and accused the BNP-Jamaat government
for the attack. The meeting, chaired by AL chief Sheikh Hasina, deplored
the grenade attack and said it was pre-planned to annihilate the political
adversaries. The main opposition party leaders said the attack on Habiganj
public meeting was part of a blueprint to kill its leaders and activists.
The August 21 grenade attack in Dhaka and yesterday's one at Habiganj
proved that there was no security of life of the opposition leaders,
activists and the people in general, they said. The AL will also stage
demonstrations in the capital this afternoon. The party also sent a
delegation led by opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid from Dhaka to visit
the place of occurrence.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD)
and Jatiya Party (Manju) condemned the grenade attack and killing of
Kibria and three others.
IFTWCB PRESS RELEASE
We strongly condemn the killing of the former finance minister Shah AMS
Kibria and five other Awami League (AL) activists in a grenade attack on
an AL rally at Boidder Bazar in Habiganj.
About 150 others were injured in the grisly attack, similar to the August
21 carnage on Sheikh Hasina's rally in the capital last year that had
claimed 23 lives and left several hundred wounded.
It seems that it was pre-planned to annihilate the political adversaries
and it was part of a blueprint to kill AL’s leaders and activists. It is
nothing but to kill prospective leaders and workers of AL at grassroots
level.
Getting the green signal from top level of the ruling party, police and
government-backed Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh and special forces are
oppressing and killing Awami League leaders and workers.
The killing of Awami League leaders Ahsanullah Master, Manjurul Imam and
Momtajuddin show that the government has engaged the religious extremist
groups and the police to eliminate the activists of Awami League and other
opposition parties.
The August 21 grenade attack in Dhaka and yesterday's one at Habiganj
proved that there was no security of life of the opposition leaders,
activists and the people in general.
All sections of the people must unite for freeing the nation from the
oppressive rule of the alliance government.
Mustafa Jamil, European Chapter (Sweden)
Central Committee meets Asma Kabir in support of her peaceful movement against terrorism
Leaders of 'South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalis and Communalism' and Nirmul Commettee met Asma Kibria, widow of assassinated diplomat and politician Shah AMS Kibria on 7 February 2005 at her residence. Leaders of the civil society expressed their deep concern about the assassination of Kibria and assured their support to the peaceful movement launched by Kibra family to bring the killers to justice. From left Asma Kibria, Shahriar Kabir, prof Kabir Chowdhury, Prof Ajoy Roy, Salma Haque, Ferdousi Priobhasini, Justice KM Sobhan, Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, Prof Muntassir Mamoon, Prof BK Jahangir, Shamoly Nasrin Chowdhury and others
Jamati goons killed Professor Yunus of Rajshahi University
On Friday, 24 December, 2004, around 6-630 in the morning Dr Yunus, a professor of Economics dept of Rajshahi University, was slashed by the Shibir (the student front of Jamat-e-Islam) cadres on his way to morning walk following the morning prayer at the university mosque.
According to the reports of local Bangla newspapers, Bhorer Kagoj and the Daily Janakantha, the Jamati goons pushed him on the ground strangulated with a scarf and then slashed his throat with knife in Islamic manner. Dr Yunus was the chair of the Bangabandhu Parishad of Rajshahi district and a freedom fighrter. A brilliant student since his school years Dr Yunus was also the vice president of the Economists' Society of Bangladesh.
Dr Yunus was ticked off the Jamati list of people to be killed due to their pro-liberation stance, a job the Jamatis have been religiously pursuing since 1971. Unlike Dr Humayun Azad who was a non-conformist intellectual, Dr Yunus was a good practicing Muslim. But yet his faith in Allah could not spare him the Jamati blade and he was killed right after the morning prayer (Fazr) near the mosque on his way to morning walk. This was the 3rd attempt on Dr Yunujs's life following two unsuccessful attempts in 1998 and 2002.