Report on Democratic Environment and Human Rights situation 2011

Killing

· A leader of Awami Olama League has been killed at Goiripur, Mymensingh. The deceased, Jane Alam Jehadi was the President of Gouripur Upazilla Olama League. He was killed after he returned from a meeting of local Awami League.[1]

· A journalist has been killed at Gaibandha. Local representative of Gobindapur upazilla of the Daily Vorer Daak, Faridul Rahman was killed by unidentified personnel.[2]

· A student has been killed at the capital Dhaka. Shamim Hossain, a student of the University of Develoment Alternative was killed and his body was found at Zia Uddyan. Police have said that his death might be related with his relationship with a girl.[3]

· RAB personnel have kidnapped and killed 3 BNP activists at free school street, Dhaka. Among the murdered, Al Amin was President of Chhatradal, ward no. 50. His relatives have stressed that 5-6 RAB men kidnapped Al Amin from the street in front of hundreds of people. Later his body was found floating at a nearby river.[4]

· A BNP leader has been killed at Sadr upazilla, Barisal. The deceased, Farid Uddin was a member of the local Union Parisad and Secrertary of Ward no. 3 BNP. His body was found in the Kaligira river.[5]

· Co-president of BNP Kompaniganj Upazilla, Noakhali branch, Abdul Ohab has been killed by unidentified murderers. No suspects have been arrested after the incident.[6]

· BNP acting Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the secret killings happenings all over the country were govt. endorsed. He said that in the last 12 hours, 4 people were abducted and killed by govt. forces. He condemned the killing of Jessore district BNP finance secretary Nazmul Islam. [7]

· Jessore district BNP finance secretary and President of Jhikorgacha BNP Nazmul Islam has been killed. He was abducted from Mohammadpur in Dhaka. Later his body was found dead at Gazipur. He was returning from a family function with his family when a group of unidentified men stopped his car and abducted him. His family rushed to the local Police station but they refused to cooperate. Later his body was found. BNP has condemned the secret killing of its leaders one by one.[8]

· Philipine based human rights organization, The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearance (AFAD) has condemned the recent increase in kidnapping and murders by the law and order enforcing agency. The organization in a statement said that only in munshiganj, 8 people were killed in 1 week by law enforcing agencies. They said that most of the families have complained that the law agencies have picked up their relatives and killed them in custody.[9]

· BBC has aired a report in which it has stated that the number of Bangladeshis killed during the liberation war in 1971 is between 3 to 5 lacks. Bangladesh govt. however remains the number to be 30 lacs. Neural researchers have stated that although the exact number can not be stated, the probable number is 3 to 5 lacs.[10]

· Awami League activists have attacked and vandalized processions organized by BNP on the occasion of the Victory Day all over the country. In Jessore a Jubodal leader has been killed. At least 200 BNP activists have been injured all over the country. Awami League activists have attacked BNP activists at the memorials where both parties went to lay homage in commemoration of 40 years of Independence. The murdered Jubodal leader isMonir Hossain, Presidant of Hajipara Union Jubodal, Lakhipur. BNP central leaders have condemned the attacks all over the country.[11]

· Indian Border Patrolling Force, BSF has shot down 3 Bangladeshi’s. The incidents took place at Birapur, Dianjpur and Fulbari, Kurigram. In a survey, it has been found that at least 200 Bangladeshi’s have been killed at the hands of BSF over the past 3 years.[12]

· Police and cadres of Awami League has attacked BNP activists at Dhaka, sparking conflicts all over the country. The BNP activists had come to Dhaka to attend the Freedom Fighters Decoration ceremony arranged by BNP. But Police and Awami League activists held up the freedom fighters at different points in Dhaka. This sparked clashes at different points in Dhaka leading to clashes leaving hundreds injured and two dead. Public transports and police vehicles were vandalized. Awami League acting secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif has praised his party workers for their bravery in the proceedings.[13]

· Indians have killed 3 Bangladeshis at the border between Bangladesh and India. BSF has handed over the dead bodies of 2 Bangladeshis that they killed on 15^th of December to Border Guard Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Indian controlled armed Khasia peoplehave killed 1 Bangladeshi and taken his body into India, refusing to hand it over at Jaintapur, Sylhet. [14]

· A day long strike has been observed at Jessore. The strike was called by BNP after the murder of Zhikargacha upazilla BNP President Nazmul Islam. All over Jessore the strike was observed by BNP and Jamaat activists.[15]

· An elderly union-level leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was killed at village Charkakra in Charkakra union under Companyganj upazila of Noakhali. The deceased, Abdul Wahab, popularly known as Wahab Raja, 60, was the vice president of Charkakra union BNP and also president of 7 No. ward BNP.[16]

· Jessore BNP leader Nazmul Islam, 42, was murdered in Gazipur district while he was returning to his home district from the capital by his car. Police said Nazmul, treasurer of Jessore district BNP, was abducted on Wednesday at about 11pm. They recovered his body from Salna Bridge area in Gazipur early yesterday and sent it to Gazipur Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.[17]

· One person was killed and another critically injured by their rivals in Kotakol launch terminal area under Lohagara upazila of Narail district. The deceased is Akkas Sheikh, 50, son of Arik Sheikh, and the injured is Sifat Sheikh, 40, brother of Arik Sheikh of Kotakol village.[18]

· At least two people were killed in Dhaka and Sylhet and dozens others injured in violent clashes between Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists and the police in the capital, and other cities including Rajshahi, Barisal, Narayanganj and Sirajganj. A number of passing vehicles were vandalised and over a dozen of them torched during the clashes in Dhaka and elsewhere. A series of homemade bombs were blasted at difference places in the capital sending a wave of panic among the city dwellers. The police detained about 250 people from different places in the capital alone.[19]

· One person was killed and 25 others were injured in a fierce clash between two rival groups at Mirzapur village in Narail Sadar upazila. The deceased is Omar Faruq, 40, son of Afzal Sheikh of the village. At least 50 houses and 25 shops at Mirzapur Bazar were ransacked while 50 cattle looted during the clash. [20]

· Bodies of two students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) were recovered from the Chengerkhal river under number 8 Kandigaw Union of Sylhet. They were killed by a gang of robbers when they had gone there for a trip by boat with other friends. Both were second year students in the Chemical Engineering and Polymer (CEP) Science department at SUST.[21]

· A newsman and a trader were murdered in two upazilas of Gaibandha. The victims are Faridur Rahman Ranju, 48, Gobindagnaj upazila correspondent of daily Bhorer Dak and Abdur Razzak, a rice and jute trader of Sundarganj upazila market.[22]

· Police recovered the body of a Jatiya Party Dhaka city leader from a ditch beside Dhaka-Aricha highway in Dhamrai. The dead, Mahmudul Haque Khan Dipu, 43, was general secretary of JP Dhaka Cantonment thana unit and joint general secretary of JP Dhaka city (north). Police said the killers might have dumped the body at Balida of Dhamrai after shooting Dipu dead somewhere else. They said his head had bullet holes. [23]

Torture Vandalizing and Harassment

· Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) allegedly beat up president of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) of the university unit. The victim is Bayazid Haque Rony, a final year student of Agriculture Faculty of BAU. Secretary of ICS BAU unit Solaiman Hossain said the BCL men beat up Bayazid without any reason while president of BAU BCL unit Shamsuddin Al Azad claimed that Bayazid along with other ICS activists were distributing leaflets opposing the trial of the war criminals.[24]

· Five activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were injured at Rajshahi University (RU) as Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) workers attacked their procession on the campus.[25]

· A protest meeting of BNP came under attack and its party office was ransacked allegedly by ruling party activists, leaving five people wounded in Betagi upazila of Barguna district. Activists of Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League, riding on 10/12 motorcycles, attacked and damaged the BNP party office at Jalisha Bazaar Monday night following an altercation between two activists of AL and BNP.[26]

· Bakerganj Govt College principal's office, examination hall and class rooms were vandalised yesterday allegedly by the BCL activists forcing the authorities to cancel the half-yearly test examinations of the college.[27]

· The activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) beat up an engineer as he refused to pay the money demanded by them. Injured Nazrul Islam, working as the project engineer of Malitha Traders for last three months on the campus, was admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.[28]

· Leaders and activists of the Awami League and the opposition BNP were locked in a clash on the premises of the National Mausoleum at Savar over placing wreaths on the occasion of the Victory Day. The incident left at least 15 people injured. The clash erupted between Awami Sechhashebak League and Jatiyatabadi Sechhashebak Dal over taking place and placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum.[29]

· A group of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men of Rajshahi University (RU) unit stopped a RU department final examination as a BCL man was not permitted to attend it. Brahibin Karim alias Emon, a student of Accounting and Information Management Department of RU, along with 10 other BCL activists including Juwel Rana and Delwar Hossain, drove out the examinees and locked the university hall where the examination was scheduled at 1:30pm.[30]

· At least 10 people including three policemen were injured in a clash between the activists of AL and BNP at Samirmunshir Hat under Senbagh upazila of Noakhali district. The injured are SI Abul Kashem, his assistant Sumon Barua and constable Salauddin, BNP activists Md Selim, Md Solaiman, Nizam Uddin, Md Ali and AL activists Sahabuddin, Md Omar Faruk and Babar Ali.[31]

· At least 20 houses of BNP supporters were vandalised allegedly by Awami League (AL) men at village Titarkhapara in Magura Sadar upazila. Police quoted locals as saying that the incident took place after BNP supporter Altaf Hossain felled a mahogany tree over a land adjacent to his house at around 9:00am.[32]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked and injured at least 5 leaders of Jashod Chhatraleague and Chhatramoitri at Islami University, Kustia. The Ex Presidents of Jasod Chhatraleague, Patla and Chhatramoitri, Nuruzzaman Koel were injured. Sources said that the organizations clashed over the division of graft money concerning the University.[33]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked and vandalized the reunion at Govt. BL College, Barisal. The reunion, organized by the Alumni Association of the institute began but was interfered by City Chhatraleague Secretary Sheikh Shahjalal Sujon and goons. The alumni association gas strongly condemned the attack and demanded the arrest and punishment of the Chhatraleague leader.[34]

· Sromik League and BNP supported officials have clashed at the Dhaka City Corporation building. The clashes took place over the govt.’s decision to divide Dhaka City Corporation in 2 parts. At least 12 supporters of BNP were injured during the clashes.[35]

· Awami League activists have attacked and vandalized at least 17 homes of BNP activists. Awami League leader Shahidul Master led the attacks that took place at Magura.[36]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked and vandalized Rajshahi Polytechnique Institute after a Chhatraleague activist was injured at the hands of Chhatramoitri. Chhatramoitri attacked the leader over a small affair. [37]

· Chhatraleague have kicked out 8 students from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib hall. They claim that the students were activists of BNP.[38]

· BNP declared general strike has been held to full extent. Police haveattacked BNP leader and Mayor of Dhaka City Sadek Hossain khoka and other leaders all over the country. The strike was called in protest of the govt.’s decision to divide Dhaka city into 2 city corporations.[39]

· Chhatraleague has called a strike in demand of defiling a case that was filed against them on charges of extortion at Sylhet Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. But they changed their decision manyu times leading to confusion among the general students.[40]

· Chhatraleague activists at Chittagong Medical College have attacked Chhatrashibir activists. The attackers are all on bail on the case of murdering Abidur Rahman, a 3^rd year student of Chittagong Medical College.[41]

· Activists of Chhatramoitri have attacked and injured a teacher at Govt. Azizur Rahman College. The attack took place as the Chhatramoitri activists demanded extortion money from the teacher.[42]

· Police have attacked the procession organized at Mohammadpur, Dhaka and injured at least 30. BNP acting Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have condemned the attack. He also condemned the attack on Dhaka City Corporation Mayor and BNP leader Sadeq Hossain Khoka. He said that Khoka was a freedom fighter and the govt. has insulted the freedom fighters through the attack.[43]

· BNP and Awami League activists have clashed at Burimari, Lalmanirhat leaving injured. Local UP Chairman and BNP leaderAsir Uddin Ahmed said that Awami activists led the attacks.[44]

· Police have attacked and vandalized a procession organized by Bangladesh Jamaat E Islami, Sylhet branch. Police arrested 3 and injured 10 during the attack. Sylhet Jamaat Ameer Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zobaer has condemned the attack and has said that the govt. Is trying to break the morale of thee people by not letting them express their views on national issues.[45]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked and vandalized a market at old Dhaka. Chhatraleague activists of Jagannath University, Sohel, Murtoza, Selim attacked the shops after they refused to give goods at discount prices.[46]

· Awami League activists have attacked the motorcade of leader of the Opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia at the National Memorial at Savar. The motorcade was kept waiting for a long time. BNP Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as condemned the incident and has said that the leader of the opposition had not been given her proper protocol and was kept waiting.[47]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked the activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir and severely injured 1 at kabi NAzrul Islam University, Trisal, Mymensing. The injured include ex President of University Chhatrashibir, Golamun Nabi Zaed. The leader was beaten with rods and sticks and severely injured. Police have arrested 2 leaders of Chhatrashibir.[48]

· BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that the govt. had led preplanned attacks on the BNP activists who came to join the reception organized by BNP for the freedom fighters. He said that at least 300 activists were arrested and 250 were injured.[49]

· Attacks have been made on BNP offices at Magura. At least 4 Chhatradal leaders were injured and bomb blasts were heard at the spots. The leaders were severely injured and hospitalized.[50]

· Chhatraleague activists have harassed the Chief Doctor at the Medical Center at the University of Rajshahi. The Doctor, Nadira Begum was attacked after she refused to give an ambulance to the Chhatraleague leaders. Ex President of Chhatraleague, Rajshahi University branch, Ibrahim Hossain moon led the attack.[51]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked and harassed the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jagannath. Another 13 officials of the University were also injured during the attack. University Chhatraleague convener Saiful Islam and other leaders harassed the VC after he refused to appoint Chhatraleague nominated candidates in the teaching spots.[52]

· Chhatraleague activists have attacked and injured a Chhatraleague leader at Sonaimuri, Noakhali. The injured leader, Akram Hossain was severely injured and robbed of 1 lac 20 thousand taka.[53]

· Clashes between 2 fractions of Juboleague at Sunamganj has left 25 injured included OC of Chatok Police. The clashes took place between supporters of district Juboleague convener Barrister Enamul Kabir and Secretary of district Awami League Nurul Huda.[54]

· Chhatraleague and Police have attacked Chhatraleague activists at Azam Khan College, Barisal. Chhatradal activists were preparing for a procession when they were attacked, leaving 20 injured. Police have filed a case against 200 Chhatradal activists. House raids were made at their homes.[55]

· Police have cordoned and sealed off BNP central office at Naya Paltan. No party activists were let into the office except a few central leaders. Police also arrested a few pedestrians who were walking by. Police did not let the party to hold its pre declared meeting.[56]

· A Chhatraleague leader has beaten up a teacher at Kurigram Govt. College. College Chhatraleague President Tosaddek Hossain led the attacks on lecturer Sadaqat Hossain.[57]

· Police have attacked a procession organized by Bangladesh Jamaat E Islami at Syedpur. Police arrested Jamaat leader Goalm Faruq from the procession which was organized to protest the activities of the International War Crimes Tribunal.[58]

· Awami League activists have attacked BNP activists at Chitolmari, Bagerhat. The BNP activists were going to attend the road march organized by the 4 party alliance. UNO and OC of the area were also injured during the attack.[59]

· Hundreds of activists of BNP and Jamaat were injured when returning from the procession led by Begum Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition and Chairperson of BNP. The incident took palce at different places around Kustia. Awami League goons attacked the activists of BNP and Jamaat.[60]

· Chhatraleague activists have vandalized Tongi Govt. College in demand of elections of the student union. [61]

· At least 10 people were injured as Awami League and BNP clashed at Sunamganj. The clash took place between the supporters of Rafiqul Islam Talukdar and Mamunur Rashid.[62]

· Awami League and BNP activists have clashed leaving 50 injured at Kumarkhali, Kustia. Ward no. 11 Awami League secretary Alauddin led the attack.[63]

· Awami League activists have attacked and vandalized 3 cars of Bangladesh Jamaat E islami at Kolorowa, Satkhira. At least 50 people were injured during the attack. The Jamaat men were going to attend the road march arranged by the 4 party alliance.[64]

Torture Vandalizing and Harassment

· Member of the BNP Central Committee MK Anwar has said that the people accused of being war criminals can not be convicted under the current laws. He also demanded the withdrawal of the cases filed against BNP central leaders.[65]

· Awami League activists have attacked and vandalized a commemoration ceremony organized to honor freedom fighters at Pakundia, Kishoreganj. The vandalizers were supporters of local MP, Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan.[66]

· Police have attacked and injured 11 activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir at Rangpur. Police also arrested 9 activists from the procession.[67]

· Police have foiled a rally organized by Narayanganj district BNP in protest of the murder of a BNP activist Arif. Police stopped the procession at the beginning.[68]

· Police have foiled a procession organized by BNP in protest of the secret killings and murders by law and order enforcing agencies. BNP has claimed that 85 of its activists have been arrested from the procession. Police didn’t even let the BNP leaders get out of the premises of their party office.[69]

· Madrasa Chhatra Oikka Parisad has demanded that the govt. take back its decision of not letting Madrasa students to get admission into the National University. The organization said that the govt. took the decision suddenly and is not even paying any heed to the high courts ruling.[70]

· Police have obstructed Jubodal, Narayanganj branch from holding its inauguration meeting. Police cordoned off the office and barred the activists from entering the office at Narayanganj.[71]

· Police have obstructed meetings organized by BNP and Jamaat at Nababganj, Dhaka. The OC of local police station said that there were restrictions over meetings of BNP and Jamaat.[72]

· Awami League activists have shut down the Press club at Mirjaganj, Potuakhali. The leaders claimed that the news of activities of local Awami League was not being covered fairly by the newspapers.[73]

· Police have attacked the procession of Madrasa Chhatra Oikka Parishad and arrested its convener Hafez Mohiuddin Masum. The madrasa students were protesting the decision of National University, not to admit Madrasa students into the university. Police attacked the procession, arrested 7 and tortured them at the police station, alleged the organization.[74]

· Police have cordoned off the central office of BNP at Naya Paltan, Dhaka. Although there were no programmes of the party, the Police still cordoned the office and kept any leaders from entering the office. BNP secretarty Mirza Fakhrul Isam Alamgir has stated that the govt. is acting in an undemocratic way by keeping the police stationed at the party office all the time.[75]

Democratic Environment and HR Situation

· The International Crimes Tribunal on Monday dismissed Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Saydee’s petition seeking explanation on Justice Nizamul Haq’s legality to chair the tribunal. The three-member tribunal also termed the petition contemptuous and unprecedented.[76]

· Human rights organisations, as well as, civil society members, expressed serious concerns over rise in disappearances and extra-judicial killings in the country. BNP leader and former councillor of Dhaka City Corporation ward-56, Chowdhury Alam, who has been missing since June 25, 2010, is yet to be traced. The High Court, on July 19, 2010, directed the inspector-general of police and director-general of Rapid Action Battalion, to take steps to find Alam soon. No progress has been made in this regard, said his family.[77]

· Local administration imposed section 144 at Goalabazar in Osmaninagar, Balaganj as local BNP and Awami League called separate meetings at the same venue.[78]

· The International Crimes Tribunal rejected two petitions of detained BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, MP, seeking stay of the proceedings against him and the recall of the tribunal’s order which took cognisance of the charges. In his petitions, Salauddin appealed to the tribunal to abide by international laws, conventions and covenants on war crimes, the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 and the Evidence Act 1872. He also appealed to the tribunal to telecast the proceedings, allow foreign lawyers to defend him, define in detail the crimes against humanity and other offences stipulated in the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 and allow him 11 months to prepare his defence as the investigators took 11 months to bring the charges against him.[79]

· Two cases were filed against 525 people in connection with a clash between Awami League and BNP activists over joining the BNP’s road march towards Khulna in Chitalmari uapzila headquarters in Bagerhat district. Local Awami League leader Keramat Ali filed a case with Chitalmari thana early Monday against 175 named and 250 unnamed people.[80]

· The leader of the opposition in the parliament, Khaleda Zia, said that the government was committing crimes against humanity through secret killing, terrorising people and obstructing opposition programmes to hide its failures and warned taking to the streets if it did not stop such acts. Khaleda,at the party’s reception to war heroes held on the day also asked the government to ‘stop secret killing, terrorising people and obstructing opposition programmes. We will, otherwise, have no option but to take to the streets.’[81]

· The government appointed administrators to 61 zila parishads (district councils); most of them are top Awami League leaders of the districts. The appointment came about nine months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament that the government will appoint chairmen to all zila parishads to make the local government stronger.[82]

· At least 15 persons were killed and 759 injured in political violence throughout the country last month, rights organisation Odhikar revealed. According to Odhikar's November report, 27 incidents of internal violence took place in the ruling party and 10 in BNP. In them, four people were killed and 267 injured in Awami League and 163 persons were injured in BNP.[83]

· The High Court rejected two separate petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed for quashing the proceedings against them in Barapukuria coalmine corruption case. Delivering a verdict on the petitions, the HC also vacated its earlier order that stayed the proceedings against the top Jamaat leaders.[84]

· BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that secret killings have been taking place 'under the shield of the state' and opposition, especially BNP, activists are being victims of such killings. The ruling party resorted to secret killings to suppress and oppress the opposition, he said. [85]

· Attorneys to the defendants of the ’10 truckloads of weapons’ case boycotted the court during the interrogation of witnesses. State attorneys started interrogating witnesses intentionally disregarding the sequence of witnesses. Defendants’ attorneys argued with the state attorneys and sought Judge’s intervention against such unruly process but the Judge did not pay attention to the misconduct of state attorneys. Later defendants’ attorneys expressed disappointment and said to press that they did not expect such partial and bias attitude in the court.[86]

· A shocking picture of human right situation in Bangladesh appeared in monthly report of Human rights Organization Adhikar. In November 2011, BSF murdered 3 Bangladeshi citizens at the border, kidnapped two others, 14 journalist has been harassed and assaulted by criminals and 14 died and 159 injured in political clashes[87].

· The witness appeared before court in Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Syeedi’s war crime and acknowledged while he was questioned by defendant’s attorney that he did not witness the war crimes took place under Mr. Sayeedi’s command but heard of it from other people from the locality. The witness could not give satisfactory answers to questions on his validity of taking part in war of independence during the interrogation[88].

· Surprising facts was revealed during interrogation of the first witness of Jamaat Leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. One of the informants that the witness mentioned was born in 1972. Moreover, the first witness failed to provide solid information that proves that Mr. Sayeedi involved in war crimes. The witness is accused in several cases of looting, dowry, etc. which challenges the vow of telling truth he took before court[89].

· As interrogation of the first witness in Jamaat leader Mr. Sayeedi’s war crime case went on, defendants’ attorneys presented some information that renders the witness as an illegitimate one. The witness was a 12-year boy in 1971 and in Pirojpur he is known as a criminal and fraud. He allegedly “made up” as a freedom fighter and now as a witness of war crime[90].

· During the trial of Jamaat leader Mr. Sayeedi’s war crime case, defendant’s attorneys were repeatedly intercepted by state attorneys in their speech. The witness carried small slips for his questioning which was unusual and suspicious. Moreover, the defendant received only 600 pages of the 3400-page document on Sayeedi’s accusation. The court also rejected three appeals on Mr. Sayeedi’s side[91].

· Over 20 thousand people from Pirojpur signed a petition and submitted to Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The petition stated that the signees bore witness that Mr. Sayeedi is innocent and all allegations against him were nothing but lies[92].

· A group of 23 including 8 attorneys led by Advocate Tajul Islam Chowdhury toured at Pirojpur to talk to the ‘witnesses’ of Jamaat leader Sayeedi’s war crime. On a press conference he said to the press that on their tour at Pirojpur they were threatened by Chhatra League members and cadres and could not visit some spots that relate the accusations of murder, looting, etc. They also said that the whole tribunal was a sham and state attorneys were only representing frauds as their “witnesses”[93].

· Charge sheets of war crime cases against three Jamaat leaders were submitted after 18 months of their arrests. The state defense in the cases took 18 months in investigation and preparing the charge sheets. Defendants’ attorneys pleaded to court that the Jamaat leaders had already did 18 months in prison, therefore they deserve proper justice[94].

· Attorneys of Mr. Sayeedi pleaded to court for removal of the chairman of International tribunal. They said that the chairman read out verdict in Mr. Sayeedi’s absence and conducted the trial in place of a judge. However, the court rejected this plea[95].

· Police contained the demonstration organized BNP against ruling party’s rampant acts of desperate repression in the head office premises. Police also foiled their procession and resisted men to convene. RAB and police force shown down to pose threats of attack to the BNP activists[96].

· International Crime Tribunal rejected three pleads of Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury. The accused Mr. Chowdhury in the so-called war crime trial pleaded for permission to appoint a foreign attorney, etc[97].

· Mass arrest of opposition party activists took place in Dhaka after rampant explosions, arsons and riots in the capital city. 12 cases were filed against 10 thousand unknown and 120 known opposition party activists. Mobile court rushed in and jailed and sentenced many people in many places in the country[98].

· The second and third witnesses in Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi’s war crime trial turned out as frauds and known criminals. They were “made-up” just as the first one to stand before court in return of monetary benefits from ruling party said the defendant’s attorneys. Moreover, the second witness failed to recollect what his “roles” were during war of independence as a freedom fighter[99].

· Law minister said to press that a group was conspiring to foil the trial process of the war crime tribunal. He added that the tribunal was conducting trial process according to the existing laws. The ill-willed group, he said, was naming it ‘international tribunal’ to addle the people[100].

· A faction of Dhaka Journalist Association arranged a memorial service in memory of the martyrs in 1971. The leaders of the association made speech on the recent so-called war crime tribunals and said that it was evidently an attempt to cleanse out the opposition leaders[101].

· On a conference, member of BNP’s permanent committee stated that the present war crime tribunal is a dark attempt to divide the nation. He also said that Awami government in the past let 195 known war criminals go free but now they arrested famous leaders of opposition who were not known to be involved in any rapport with Pakistani force in 1971. In another meeting he said that the new division of Dhaka a part of a grave conspiracy[102].

· Awami League’s senior general secretary said that the real war criminals are the BNP people and Jamaat is their collaborator. He denied that BNP attempted to protest against public and political issues. In his opinion, all the protests by BNP were for one target which was foiling war crime trial[103].

· Barrister Razzak and other attorneys of Jamaat leader Mr. Sayeedi in his war crime case had a meeting with a US diplomat and war crime expert. The attorneys expressed their shock in the present judicial situation at the case of Mr. Sayeedi. They also said that their right of justice had been violated by the ruling party. He expressed similar views on an interview with radio Tehran[104].

· World renowned newspapers Herald Tribune, New York Times and The Economist expressed similar news reports on war crime tribunal in Bangladesh. Their reports said that the war crimes were done by Pakistani forces in 1971. The presently accused ones had nothing to do with war crime. Therefore, the tribunal is a conspiracy to destroy the opposition party[105].

· On hearing of Salahudding Qader Chowdhury’s petition, he pleaded for cancellation of the so-called international Crime Tribunal. He pointed out why this tribunal is against the national constitution and biased position of the Tribunal chairman. He also described how his attorneys were harassed by police and in other ways[106].

· Madrassa Students’ Welfare Association submitted a memorandum to the chairman of National University that demands stopping all discriminatory ways to restrict admissions of Madrassa students. The memorandum said that the Madrassa students had always had good results. The scam that the Madrassa students are not eligible because they lack ability to speak English must be ignored by the authority[107].

· Editor-in-Chief of the national daily New Age and reporter David Bergman were at court on contempt hearing. The defendants read out their opinions and explanations and said that they had no intention to destroy the image of judiciary but only intention was presenting an important issue about war crimes tribunal before people[108].

· On an interview with national daily Sangram, Porfessor Golam Azam, Naib-E-Amir to Jamaat said that scam in the name of war crime trial is a retributive way to destroy opposition by Awami League. They were avenging their defeat in 2001 national election by tagging the opposition leaders as war criminals[109].

· CMHDR, a social movement from Bangladesh held a meeting where the leaders of the movement expressed shock the clear attempts of ruling party to destroy opposition by murder and involuntary disappearances. They added that the law enforcement forces turned into ruling party’s private security agency[110].

· In a news report, facts about ruling party’s judicial ways of political retribution were revealed. In this regime, the ruling party made records in the nation’s history. In three years, 1 lac opposition activists were accused in 20 thousand cases. Among these cases, there were 25 thousand Jamaat leaders and the plaintiffs were cops[111].

· A committee led by additional law minister pleaded rejection of 68 cases against ruling party leaders. Including these the number of rejected cases would be 7 100. The minister said that more cases would be pleaded for rejection[112].

· Court ruled discharge appeal of Nizami and Mujaheed, leaders of Jamaat in the case of Barapukuria Coal Mine case. The rule followed a hearing and discussion of a division bench in high court. Barrister Razzak the defendant’s attorney conducted in defense of the defendants[113].

· The court denied the appeal of quashing the Zia Orphanage Trust case of Begum Khaleda Zia, the opposition leader. Defendant’s attorney said that they will plead against this verdict. In that case, Begum Zia was accused of embezzlement[114].

· Additional Law Minister said to press that the ‘ghost’ of war criminals were now controlling BNP leader. He added that BNP and Jamaat, all were connected to war crime and they would be brought to justice. He also said that charge sheet on Jamaat Naib-e-Amir would soon be produced[115].

· Awami League government was planning on arresting 26000 more opposition men. Since the election Awami League government had been keeping the opposition busy at courts in different cases. Many of the top leaders and numerous activists are now in jail. Many disappeared, murdered, their bodies mutilated and tortured in the names of remand[116].

· BNP-Jamaat boycotted the Comilla City corporation election. Many nominated candidates from ruling party are criminals in murder cases. Only two among the candidates studied up to secondary level[117].

· In celebrating the reunions of freedom fighters, the festivity was ruined by the cops. Many BNP leaders were arrested by police. Police barred 150 vehicles carrying freedom fighters from entering capital city. On the program, freedom fighters and BNP men were convening to Dhaka[118].

· Chairman of Human Rights Commission said that human rights would be violated if there were mismatch between interests of government and interests of people. He added that government had failed to gain trust of the people and lost all that it had. He also added that the present war crimes tribunal was not following the right procedures[119].

· BNP’s general secretary said in one public meeting that government was trying to make BNP leaderless. On Orphanage Trust case, he said that it was financed by donation. Whether or not, the land it was built on was overpriced was not Awami League’s concern[120].

· A defamation case was filed against Col. Oly. The case accuses Col. Oly on saying publicly that Sheikh Hasina attempted to bribe him to join Awami League. The court decided dates for hearing. Oly’s speech was headliner in national dailies[121].

· In Chittagong Medical College, student politics is banned but News reports say that Chhatra League members are into extortion, vandalizing, looting, etc. around the campus. The factions of Chhatra league are always in conflict and the campus is engaged in various programs and outsiders[122].

· The main opposition BNP yesterday demanded that the government immediately stop the proceedings of the war crimes tribunal. The party also called on the international community to raise objections to what it said was the tribunal's violation of human rights in an extra-judicial manner. Former BNP Law minister Moudud observed that it made no sense to legitimise the tribunal's “illegal and unconstitutional trial proceedings by participating in its farcical activities to victimise political opponents”. "The BNP has no confidence in this tribunal. It believes that in the existing legal structure, the tribunal is nothing but a servile, rubber-stamp organisation," he said in a written statement.[123]

· The International Crimes Tribunal has dismissed Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee's plea that its chairman Justice Nizamul Huq can become biased against him in the ongoing war crimes trial. In its order the three-member tribunal called Sayedee's petition against its chairman "contemptuous, outrageous, and unheard of".[124]

· Ignoring widespread criticism and protests, parliament hurriedly passed a bill to split Dhaka City Corporation into two. It took only four minutes and a few seconds to pass the bill, bringing about some major changes to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009. The president could even sign the bill today, thus making the amendment effective.[125]

· A prosecution witness has given false statements against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee before the International Crimes Tribunal, said Sayedee's counsels.[126]

· Awami League (AL) acting joint secretary Mahbub-Ul- Alam Hanif on Wednesday said, time will come when the country men will demand trial against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for siding with the war criminals. He was addressing a protest rally organised by Awami Jubo League.[127]

· The government Okayed the withdrawal of 68 more "politically-motivated" cases filed against Awami League leaders during the tenure of the last government. Speaking to reporters following the meeting at the home ministry, State Minster for Law Qamrul Isalm said “There are no cases involving any senior AL leader. All these cases are against leaders among the lower tier of the party.[128]

· The High Court rejected a petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami for scrapping the proceedings of a case against him filed under the arms act in connection with the 10-truck arms haul in Chittagong. The court rejected his petition considering that it was not placed before the HC.[129]

· Two Dhaka courts sent seven Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists to jail, hours after their surrender, in connection with two cases filed for damaging vehicles, assaulting police and obstructing them from discharging their duties on September 19. Metropolitan Magistrate Keshob Roy Chowdhury sent them to jail rejecting their bail prayers in a case filed with Paltan Police Station while Metropolitan Magistrate Shahriar Mahmud Adnan passed a similar order after refusing their bail petition in the other case filed with Ramna Police Station.[130]

· BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the government is filing cases against Khaleda Zia with a view to implement a conspiracy to keep her away from the next general elections. “Zia Charitable Trust is a private organisation. The government has no link with it. But the prime minister had ordered to file a case against Khaleda Zia accusing her of buying land for the charity. This is nothing but a conspiracy to declare her disqualified for the next elections,” he told a rally at the city's Tejgaon truck stand.[131]

· Four bombs went off at a market in Sarsha upazila during the day-long hartal enforced in the district by local BNP, protesting the killing of Jhikorgachha upazila unit president in Gazipur.[132]

· Comilla City Jamaat Ameer Kazi Deen Mohammad has decided to boycott January 5 election to Comilla City Corporation in protest against the use of EVM system and non-deployment of army in the polls.[133]

· At least 15 people, including four policemen, were injured in a clash between police and local AL men over an incident of stalking during the Victory Day programme at Faridpur upazila in Pabna. The police and local people said a number of AL men were harassing the women during the Victory Day parade organised by the upazila administration at Bonwarinagar football field at Faridpur upazila.[134]

· Police arrested four activists of Jatiyatabadi Secchasebok Dal (JSD) from Goal Chamot area of the district town while they were trying to bring out a procession. The arrestees are Faruk Hosain, secretary of JSD Mach Char union, Iqbal Hosain, Sajal and Sazzad, said police.[135]

· Police arrested four more BNP leaders, including Chitalamari upazila BNP general secretary, in connection to clash with Awami League. The arrested were identified as Chitalmari upazila BNP general secretary Mominul Haq Tulu Biswas, 45, and local leaders Monirul Haq, 40, Moshiur Rahman Dalim, 38, and Babul Sheikh, 30.[136]

· Police arrested a leader of Islami Chhatra Shibir at Baghri Bazar in Rajapur upazila morning. The arrestee is Firoz Abdullah, president of Shibir upazila unit of Jhalakathi District.[137]

· Police detained 66 leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in connection with Sunday's clashes in different districts and during their countrywide demonstrations yesterday in protest against what the agitators said 'government's repression and police attack' on opposition men. [138]

· Six people, including five activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir of Joypurhat Government College, were arrested from Joypurhat on charge of preventing police and doing vandalism on the campus this September. The arrested are accused in a case filed by police on September 19. Police also held a worker of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shah Alam, 37, of Kalai upazila, Joypurhat yesterday.[139]

· Police arrested nine leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, a student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, from a procession here. Altaf Hossain, officer in-charge of Rangpur police station, said they picked up the nine from near the party's Shapla office.[140]

· Police noon arrested two activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir in Kaliganj upazila town on charge of holding rally without permission. The Shibir men held the rally demanding release of the central leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami.[141]

· Police arrested an activist of BNP district unit from a procession in the district town noon. The arrestee is Anwar Hossain, 25. The main opposition brought out the procession protesting the judicial probe that found former home minister Altaf Hoaasin Chowdhury's involvement in 2001 post-polls persecution.[142]

· Police morning arrested four leaders of Chitalmari upazila BNP in connection with Sunday's Awami League (AL)-BNP clashes that left Chitalmari UNO and OC injured. The arrestees are Chitalmari upazila BNP general secretary Mominul Haq Tulu Biswas,45, and three other local leaders--Babul Sheikh,30, Monirul Haq,40, and Moshiur Rahman Dalim,38.[143]

· The much-awaited trial in the 10-truck arms haul cases began in a Chittagong court, seven years after the biggest-ever arms recovery in the country. Most of the defence lawyers, however, boycotted the court at one stage, accusing the prosecution lawyer of not following the law. [144]

· BNP has requested the inhabitants of Comilla to boycott the city corporations election as it was being held under Electronic Voting System. The party has decided to boycott the elections.[145]

· BNP acting Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that mayor of Dhaka City Corporation Sadek Hossain Khoka was knifed at police custody. He accused Chhatraleague of committing the attack. [146]

· Awami League supported lawyers have broken into the office of the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and taken the photos of Ex President Ziaur Rahman ,MAulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and MAG OSmani. They also injured 2 BNP supporting lawyers. Deputy Attorney General led the attacks.[147]

· Looting has taken place at the home of Chittagong Jamaat Ameer Maulana Shamsul Islam MP. The looters took valuables and parts from his car.[148]

· The editor of Half monthly ‘GonoMichil’, FMA Razzaq has not been able to go to his house in fear of terrorists. Earlier the terrorists had attacked him and severely injured him. He said that he could not go to his house in fear of his life.[149]

· Home minister Adv. Shahara Khatun has said called to stop the activities of BNP and Jamaat. She said that the govt. is working for the development of the country but these parties are trying to obstruct the activities.[150]

· The court has sent 27 activists of Bangladesh Islam Chhatrashibir to jail at Comilla on a case filed in September on accounts of obstructing the police. The activists went to court to extend their bail which they received from the High Court.[151]

· 7 jamaat leaders including Dhaka City Jamaat secretary Hamidur Rahman Azad MP, Central Nayeeb E Ameer A K M NAzeer Ahmed and others were sent to 2 days remand by the court. They were arrested on a case of explosion and vandalization.[152]

· Govt. has appointed 61 district administrators, all of them being leaders of the ruling Awami League. Experts have criticized the decision of the govt. as this will conflict with the constitution and create imbalance in the local administration.[153]

· The court has granted bail to 23 of the 27 accused in the case of murder of Mayor of Banagram Upazilla, Natore. Among the accused are leaders of local Awami League and Chhatraleague.[154]

· Awami League Presidium Member and Minister of Jute, Abdul Latif Siddique has said that the people accused of war crimes should be punished without trial. He also said that they should be killed without trial.[155]

· Recentley the Jute minister stated in a discussion that people involved in crimes against humanity should be directly sentenced to death instead of trial. Besides, the state minister of law declared that the trial of 7-8 war criminals including Ghulam Azam would start within the next two months. Jamaat has protested such statements from the ruling party AL’s ministers dubbing those as unfair, illegal and against human rights. The party also expressed concerns that the Government was unfairly intervening in the trial and such comments from the ministers bore testimony to that.[156]

· .Corruption has taken a devastating form in the country. The Anti-Corruption Commission is a toothless tiger. Conflict is not only in national level but also in party level today. Besides, Qader Siddique, a veteran and renowned freedom fighter, alleged that Awamee League has redefined the Liberation War. Anyone with Awamee League is a freedom fighter but against it is a Razakar(traitor). He alleged that AL has even made him a Razakar.[157]

· Former law minister Moudud Ahmed read out the demands at a press conference at BNP’s Naya Paltan headquarters in the capital. The BNP has no confidence in this tribunal. It believes that in the existing legal structure, the tribunal is nothing but a servile, rubber-stamp organisation.Moudud observed that it made no sense to legitimise the tribunal's illegal and unconstitutional trial proceedings by participating in its farcical activities to victimise political opponents. Referring to the recommendations of Stephen Rapp, US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, the opposition lawmaker said that they agree with the recommendations. The tribunal cannot be independent and transparent without implementation of those suggestions.[158]

· Comilla district BNP has threatened to boycott the upcoming Comilla City Corporation polls if the Election Commission uses Electronic Voting Machine and does not deploy the army, ATN Bangla and ntv reported yesterday.Local leaders also said they would submit a memorandum to the commission, requesting not to use EVMs in the January 5 election. On the oher hand, voters are still in dark about EVM.[159]

· The International Crimes Tribunal(ICT) formed by the government to

try the crimes against humanity in 1971 is losing its acceptability to national and international crisis. The accused are worried of biased trial at a cangaroo court. The government is allegedly influencing the trial process and harassing its political opponent through the trial. Many of the international observers have already dubbed the trial a farce.[160]

· While talking to the journalists after a function, Barrister Rafiq Ul Haque said that he did not want to say anything politically. As an ordinary person, he felt sad for the decision of split of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). It could not be any constructive decision. He didn’t understand how the government would tackle the complication of dividing the DCC.[161]

· Local AL and Jubo League leaders have set up a separate river port locally known as ‘ghat’ and charging people for using it, although there is a publicly leased port just 2 kilometers away. The leasee has complained to the district commissioner and blamed the local leaders for deactivating the public port.[162]

· The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and 11 other parties urged the Government

to withdraw the decision to divide Dhaka City Corporation. They argued that division would encourage corruption which would be followed in other citys of the country. Moreover, BNP declared to unify Dhaka if divided.[163]

· US ambassador at large for war crimes Stephen J Rap opined in a press briefing that the tribunal process should be more transparent. There should be scope for appeal against the verdict of the ICT. It would be better if the trial process were broadcast live in radio and TV. Interested corners should be allowed to observe the tribunal process.[164]

· BNP has critisized the Eletion Commission (EC) because the Election Commission is still determined to use Electronic Voting Machine and not to deploy the army at the upcoming Comilla City Corporation polls. Local BNP leaders also said they would submit a memorandum to the commission, requesting not to use EVMs in the January 5 election. On the oher hand, voters are still in dark about EVM.[165]

· Dan Mozina, the newly appointed US ambassador to Bangladesh, commented that

there must be an election acceptable to all parties in Bangladesh. The formula for such fair election had to be found out by the country itself while USA would provide all-out assistance in this endeavour.

· US ambassador at large for war crimes Stephen J Rap opined that they want transparency and fairness in the trial for war crimes. He alleged that Bangladesh government had not implemented many of the suggestions provided to ensure justice and fair trial.[166]

Loot and Corruption

· A locally influential AL leader is buiding on a sizeable grabbed land. Although the police once stopped the work, his men started building again after the police haad gone.[167]

· The government of Bangladesh is going to publish a supplement at the London Times in exchange of Taka 10 million. The 12 page supplement will comprise of interviews with the ministers of foreign affairs, commerce and trade, finance and the governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank alon with the democracy condition and potential of Bangladesh. Government is hopeful to successfully repel through this publication the negative image of Bangladesh propagated in the world media.[168]

· Landless farmers who cultivated aman paddy on khas lands allocated by the district administration are now passing worrying time as criminals allegedly led by the ruling party men have engaged in looting the ripe crop from the fields.[169]

·

· Real contractors are in fear to puirchase the Local Government and Engineering Department’s tender to repair local roads in the district of Joypurhat. Local AL leaders are threatening the contractors not to participate in the tender process. They have allegedly alloted the tender work among themselves.[170]

· A tender process of Taka 10 million at the Dhaka university of Engineering Technology has been postponed. BCL leaders are allegedly barring real contractors to submit tender proposals. Some of the contractors were even detained and beaten by the BCL cadres. Finally the authority postponed it on the basis of this allegation.[171]

· Juba and Chhatra League cadres have stopped the work of 63 beneficiaries of a government employment program for hardcore poor in the district of Thakurgaon. These men were recruited on the recommendation of one of the AL leaders. As another leader’s men were not recruited in the program, he and his associates stopped their work.[172]

· A local Jubo League leader and president of the governing body of a local religious school has allegedly embezzled taka 80000 in the name of appointing teachers for the school. The local residents allege that he has advertised for appointment of teacher secretly and received money from the candidates to appoint them.[173]
AL leader building shop grabbing land

· A local AL leader is building shop grabbing the land of a local businessman in the district of Narail. The businessman has already filed a case against him but he is still continuing the construction work overlooking the court stay order.[174] · A former BCL leader at Jahangirnagar University allegedly hijacked a private car and demanded taka 350000 from the owner as extortion. The car was hijacked with the driver from the capital and brought to the university campus. Being informed, the VC and Proctor of the university ordered to release the car but they expressed their inability to take any action without written complaint. However, it was not known whether the car was returned or not.[175]

· Noted Indian columnist Kuldip Nayar reports on Gulf News that there is corruption everywhere in Bangladesh and many people are turning away from prime minister Sheikh Hasina due to Padma Bridge graft. Mr Nayar recently visited Bangladesh.[176]

· BCL cadres at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) beat up a project engineer of the under-construction university centre. The cadres have been demanding taka 5 million as extortion from the engineering firm for some days. The engineer refused to pay the amount.[177]

· BCL cadres are illegaly allowing external students to live at the dormitories of Dhaka University in exchange of money. One of such students was mass beaten at SM Hall. This student used to misbehave with the general students under the prtestion of BCL leaders.[178]

· A local AL leader in the district of Rangpur is allegedly dredging a river with shallow machine and filling up a pond with the sand in a contract of taka 100000. As a result houses near the river are collapsing. According to the government rule river dredging is not allowed within 1 kilometer of residential area.[179]

· A local Jubo League leader in the district of Faridpur has allegedly sold an olden iron bridge of Local Government and Engineering Departmenmt (LGED) and the buyer has already started to break it. A new bridge is to replace the current bridge but LGED has not taken any step to remove the old one yet[180].

· A local Srameek League leader is illegally dredging sand with machine from the river Bangali in the district of Bogra. As a result the nearby villages are running the risk of being washed away by river erosion.[181]

· AL leaders in the district of Jhinaidah have allegedly distributed an LGED tender of taka 60 million amon themselves with the help of an LGED executive engineer. Local contractors are angry at the graft and have expressed their concern that not a single penny of this tender money would be used in the constriction work rather the leaders would grab it all.[182]

· AL leaders in the district of Faridpur are allegedly building a market by grabbing land for public tubewell, toilets and canal. Though there is unrest among the local businessmen regarding the graft , nobody dares to protest.[183]

· Recently Mahbubul Hoque Hanif , special assistant to prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and joint secretary general of AL, visited Jhinaidah. Local leaders decorated 27 kilometers of road with colourful banners, festoons, life-size portraits of Mr Hanif and the local MP and 27 temporary gates. Local schools and teachers were allegedly forced by the AL leaders to pay for all this decoration.[184]

· Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies disclosed in a survey that 80 thousand cooperatives were closed fown due to mismanagement.[185]

Assault on Women and Vulnerable People

· Jubo league cadres beat up a high school teacher as he protested the sexual assault on his female students. The cadres were molesting girls attending a cultural function of their school.[186]

· Jubo League cadres beat up 5 including a female local government member in connection to a [187]dispute over land in the district of Barisal. She was indiscriminately beaten and seriuosly injured.

· AL vandals in the district of Rangpur have vandalized a Hindu widow’s house and looted assets of Taka 3.2 million. The widow deprived of justice and shelter is leading a miserable life with are orphaned children.[188]

· Police on Tuesday night raided the house of a man at Uthkul village in Jatrapur union of Sadar upazila, suspecting his involvement in bomb blast at the residence of a local member of the union. Failing to arrest the man, law enforcers beat up his wife and sister and ransacked the house, family members and locals alleged.[189]

·

Assault on Media and Freedom of Expression

· A BNP move to bring out a mass procession in the city's Nayapaltan area to protest the “government's repression and police attack” on opposition activists and secret killings was foiled by Police. The police made sure that the BNP men, except for some senior leaders, could not gather at their central office in the area. At least eight persons, including two female workers, were picked up by police as they tried to enter the BNP office.[190]

· A BNP protest meeting was attacked and the party's office was ransacked and damaged allegedly by the ruling party activists in Betagi upazila on Monday night. Police quoting locals said, Awami League (AL) activists swooped on BNP party office at Jolisha Bazaar under Hosnabad union of Barishal District.[191]

· About 70 to 80 people were wounded in police action in South Keraniganj. Traders in the bazaar instantly closed their shops and took out a procession demanding punishment of the policemen.[192]

· A march organised by Shahbagh unit of BNP was foiled by police on Saturday.
Excepting a minor brick-battle between the police and themarchers, no untoward incident occurred. Initially the Shahbagh BNP attempted to bring out a march as a part of its programme scheduled from the Segun Bagicha area of the city. Heavily resisted by police, the marchers got scattered and eventually assembled at the BNP's central office at Naya Paltan. There were no central leaders of the party in the march.[193]

· Activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling Awami League, on Saturday foiled the inauguration program of female indoor games in Barisal Government Brojo Mohon College in the ground that the logo of BCL backed organization was not in place.[194]

Intervention in Legal Process and Manipulation of Administrative Power

· 6 Jamaat activists including the Ameer of Maheshkhali have been seen to jail. They were charged with treason. They were arrested while they were distributing anti-government liflets in their locality.[195]

· Notorious godfather Jaynal Hazari held a closed door meeting with the district Judge of Comilla for about an hour. Mr Hazari told the press that he pleaded to the Judge to convict him in that murder case so that he could go to high court. The case is pending for 24 years.[196]

· Local leaders and activists of Chhatradal and Jubodal, two wings of BNP, are on the run due to fear of being arrested at Savar-Dhamri near Dhaka. They can not even sleep at their houses at night. An annonymous activist alleged that the local police filed a baseless case against 15 leaders and activists.[197]

· Police has arrested 6 men of Islami Shasontantra Andolan. They were hoding a meeting at Kottali Adarsha School in the district of Lalmonirhat. Police alleged that they did not seek permission for the meeting from the police.[198]

· The High Court has denied the writ appeal against the unsystematic expel of Brigradier General Abdullahil Aman Azmee, the son of former Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Chief Professor Ghulam Azam. On June 23, 2009 he was expelled from the post of Brigradier General of Bangladesh Army withdrawing all his pension facilities.[199]

· Police arrested 5 Shibir men from a student boarding in Jaipurhat town. The local Shibir leaders alleged that police arretsed them illegally since their names were not in the chargesheet of the concerned case.[200]

· Police has arrested the Firoz Abdullah, the president of Islami Chhatra Shibir of Rajapur in the district of Jhalkathi. Police alleged that he was planning a subotage with 10-12 other people.[201]

· Police has arrested BNP president of Darus Salam of the capital in connection to vandalism, arson and guerilla attack on the police during BNP demonastration against the government.[202]

· Police arrested 6 BNP-Jamaat men at Hizla in the district of Barisal at night. Police informed that they had been sent to jail through the court.[203]

· Police has arrested 5 Shibir activists from the Mouchak area of the capital. Police informed the press that they had been arrested in connection to subotage that took place recently.[204]

· 11 Jamaat-shibir men have been arrested in the district of Khulna at night in connection to a case filed almost a year ago. The local Jamaat has protested the arrest.[205]

· Police has arrested 93 BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists from different places of the country in connection to subotage, vandalizing and torching vehicles in 8 districts including Dhaka.[206]

· Police filed a case accusing over 100 BNP men at Sirajganj of torching a bus and arrested 10 of them.[207]

· Police has arrested Jamaat Ameer of Baufal in the district of Patuakhali. Jamaat has condemned and protested the arrest dubbing it illegal and unfair.[208]

· BNP demonastration couldn’t be held at Sylhet due to aggressive position of Police and local AL cadres. Chhatra League and Jubo League were rallying in Sylhet city accusing BNP-Jamaat of recent subotage and vandalism in fifferent parts of the country.[209]

· Police arrested a youth accused of attack on BCL leader at Chittagong. He and another guy attacked the BCL leader with sharp weapons. He is an associate of a local top terror.[210]

· Plice has arrested a local BNP leader and listed top terror Mahbub from launch port of Bagerhat town. Another BNP leader of Bagerhat was arrested in connection to an incident of scuffle. [211]

· Police arrested 13 shibir men including the district presiedent of Jinaidah. They were holding a meeting in their boarding when local BCL cadres attacked there and vandalized the boarding. Being informed police arrested the shibir men instead of the attackers.[212]

· Police arrested 8 BNP men from different parts of the capital in connection to torching police van case during a strike. The strike was called by BNP protesting the division of Dhaka City Corporation into two.[213]

· Police arrested a local AL leader’s brother and his associate while taking Yaba, an illegal drug, in the district of Narsingdi. However the local residents alleged that police grabbed 100 bottles of Phensydyl, another drug, and 100 tablets of Yaba from them. Police declined this allegation.[214]

· Police has arrested aingers and members of the band gropup Samiran suspecting them as the members of Hijbut Tahrir, a banned Islamic party. They were returning home after rehearsel. However police accused them of sticking anti-government posters.[215] · Son of press secretary of the opposition leader has been arrested while returning home from the mosque after morning prayer. He is a brilliant A level student. Police claimed that he is a member of the banned Islamic party, Hizbut Tahrir and was found sticking poster for the party. However, opposition party BNP refused such allegation and protested the arrest.[216] · Border Security Force (BSF) of India disclosed in an statement that they arrested nearly 2000 people in connection to smuggling from the Bangladesh-West Bengal border in the last year. Besides, lots of drugs, gold and thousands of cattles were confiscated while being smuggled.[217] · 7 Jamaat-Shibir men were arrested in the district of Bagerhat while rallying demanding the release of detained Jamaat leaders.[218] ·

· 3 including Bagerhat Jamaat Amir were arrested in accusation of subotage. They were arrested fro the residence of the Jamaat Amir.[219]

· A case has been filed against 300 JCD and Shibir men in connection to BCL-JCD clash at Khulna Azam Khan College. 34 of them have been arrested. The clash took place when both BCL and JCD men brought out rallies welcoming the freshers at the college. 25 including police were injured in the clash.[220]

· Police could not find out any clue regarding the murder of a BNP leader of Jessore district even after a week of the murder. He was found dead in Gazipur a day after he had been kidnapped from Dhaka. [221]

· Ruling party supported teachers are getting promotion at Jagannath University. It is alleged that service rule has been relaxed to promote some influential associate professors to full professor. It will allegedly allow immature teachers to become professor.[222]

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[1] Amar Desh 04-12-11

[2] Prothom Alo 08-12-11

[3] Amar Desh 08-12-11

[4] Amar Desh 11-12-11

[5] Amar Desh 11-12-11

[6] Prothom Alo 16-12-11

[7] Prothom Alo 16-12-11

[8] Amar Desh 16-12-11

[9] Prothom Alo 17-12-11

[10] Amar Desh 17-12-11

[11] Amar Desh, Sangram 17-12-11

[12] Amar Desh 18-12-11

[13] Amar Desh 19-12-11

[14] Amar Desh 19-12-11

[15] Naya Diaganta

[16] Daily Star 16.12.11

[17] Daily Star 16.12.11

[18] Daily Star 22.12.11

[19] The Independent 19.12.11

[20] Daily Star 18.12.11

[21] The Independent 18.12.11

[22] Daily Star 8.12.11

[23] Daily Star 3.12.11

[24] Daily Star 17.12.11

[25] Daily Star 12.12.11

[26] New Age 15.12.11

[27] Daily Star 12.12.11

[28] Daily Star 2.12.11

[29] Independent 17.12.11

[30] Daily Star 29.12.11

[31] Daily Star 18.12.11

[32] Daily Star 2.12.11

[33] Naya Diganta

[34] Naya Diganta

[35] Amar Desh 02-12-11

[36] Amar Desh 02-12-11

[37] Amar Desh 02-12-11

[38] Amar Desh 04-12-11

[39] Amar Desh 05-12-11

[40] Prothom Alo 05-12-11

[41]Prothom Alo 06-12-11

[42] Prothom alo 06-12-11

[43] Amar Desh, Naya Diganta 09-12-11

[44] Prothom Alo 11-12-11

[45] Sangram 08-12-11

[46] Amar Desh 15-12-11

[47] Sangram 17-12-11

[48] Amar Desh 15-12-11

[49] Prothom Alo 19-12-11

[50] Amar Desh, Prothom Alo 20-12-11

[51] Sangram 20-11-11

[52] Amar Desh, Prothom Alo 21-12-11

[53] Amar Desh 21-12-11

[54] Prothom alo 22-12-11

[55] Amar Desh, Prothom Alo 24-12-11

[56] Naya Diganta

[57] Prothom Alo 25-12-11

[58] Naya Diganta

[59] Amar Desh 28-11-11

[60] Sangram, Prothom Alo 28-11-11

[61] Naya Diganta

[62] Prothom Alo 28-11-11

[63] Naya Diganta

[64] Sangram 29-11-12

[65] Sangram 09-12-11

[66] Sangram 17-12-11

[67] Sangram 17-12-11

[68] Amar Desh 21-12-11

[69] Prothom Alo 22-12-11

[70] Sangram23-12-11

[71] Amar Desh 23-12-11

[72] Prothom Alo 25-12-11

[73] Amar Desh 25-12-11

[74] Amar Desh, ProthomAlo 25-12-11

[75] Naya Diganta

[76] Daily Sun 29.11.11

[77] Independent 17.12.11

[78] Daily Sun 30.11.11

[79] New Age 5.12.11

[80] New Age 29.11.11

[81] New Age 19.12.11

[82] Daily Star 16.12.11

[83] Daily Star 3.12.11

[84] Daily Star 15.12.11

[85] Daily Star 16.12.11

[86] Amar Desh: 12.12.2011

[87] Amar Desh: 2.12.2011

[88] Amar Desh: 21.12.2011

[89] Amar Desh, Prothom Alo, Sangram: 16.12.2011

[90] Amar Dedsh, Prothom Alo: 15.12.2011

[91] Prothom Alo: 8.12.2011

[92] Amar Desh: 6.12.2011

[93] Amar Desh, Sangram: 5.12.2011

[94] Amar Desh: 11.12.11

[95] Amar Desh: 29.12.11

[96] Amar Desh: 20.12.11

[97] Amar Desh: 20.12.11

[98] Amar Desh: 17.12.11

[99] Amar Desh: 20.12.11

[100] Amar Desh: 18.12.11

[101] Amar Desh: 15.12.11

[102] Amar Desh: 8.12.11

[103] Naya Diganta: 12.12.11

[104] Naya Diganta: 12.12.11, Sangram: 2.12.11

[105] Amar Desh: 2.12.11

[106] Sangram: 30.12.11

[107] Sangram: 2.12.11

[108] Amar Desh: 2.12.12

[109] Sangram: 24.12.11

[110] Amar Desh: 20.11.11

[111] Amar Desh: 22.11.11

[112] Amar Desh: 22.11.11

[113] Prothom Alo: 15.11.11

[114] Amar Desh: 15.12.11

[115] Amar Desh: 11.12.11

[116] Amar Desh, Sangram: 8.12.11

[117] Amar Desh: 3.12.11

[118] Prothom Alo: 19.12.11

[119] Prothom Alo: 11.12.2011

[120] Amar Desh: 15.12.2011

[121] Naya Diganta: 12.12.11

[122] Sangram: 3.12.11

[123] Daily Star 4.12.11

[124] Daily Star 29.11.11

[125] Daily Star 30.11.11

[126] Daily Star 23.11.11

[127] Independent 23.12.11

[128] Daily Star 21.11.11

[129] Daily Star 16.11.11

[130] Daily Star 12.11.11

[131] Daily Star 10.11.11

[132] Daily Star 18.11.11

[133] Daily Star 3.11.11

[134]New Age 17.12.11

[135] Daily Star 23.12.11

[136] Daily Sun 30.11.11

[137] Daily Star 22.12.11

[138] Daily Star 20.12.11

[139] Daily Star 24.12.11

[140] Daily Star 18.12.11

[141] Daily Star 6.12.11

[142] Daily Star 4.12.11

[143] Daily Star 30.11.11

[144] Daily Star 30.11.11

[145] Prothom Alo 04-12-11

[146] Amar Desh 05-12-11

[147] Amar Desh, Prothom Alo 05-12-11

[148] Amar Desh 05-12-11

[149] Amar Desh 08-12-11

[150] Amar Desh 09-12-11

[151] Amar Desh 09-12-11

[152] Prothom Alo 16-12-11

[153] Prothom Alo 16-12-11

[154] Amar Desh 21-12-11

[155] Naya Diganta

[156] Amardesh, 2011/12/08

[157] Amardesh, 2011/12/11

[158] Amardesh, 2011/12/04

[159] Amardesh, 2011/12/04

[160] Nayadiganta, 2011/12/04

[161] Amardesh, 2011/12/03

[162] Prothomalo, 2011/11/29

[163] Prothomalo,2011/11/29

[164] Amardesh, 2011/11/29

[165] Amardesh, 2011/11/29

[166] Amardesh, 2011/11/28

[167] Prothomalo, 2011/12/19

[168] Aamardesh, 2012/12/19

[169] Daily Star 16.12.11

[170] Prothonalo, 2011/12/06

[171] Prothomalo, 2011/11/28

[172] Prothomalo, 2011/11/28

[173] Prothomalo, 2011/12/04

[174] Prothomalo, 2011/12/02

[175] Nayadiganta, 2011/11/29

[176] Amardesh, 2011/11/28

[177] Prothomalo, 2011/12/02

[178] Sangram, 2011/12/02

[179] Prothomalo, 2011/12/16

[180] Prothomalo, 2011/12/16

[181] Prothomalo, 2011/12/21

[182] Amardesh, 2011/12/20

[183] Prothomalo, 2011/12/08

[184] Prothomalo, 2011/12/18

[185] Amardesh, 2011/12/08

[186] Amardesh, 2011/12/21

[187] Sangram, 2011/12/11

[188] Amardesh, 2011/2/08

[189] Daily Star 15.12.11

[190] Daily Star 22.12.11

[191] Daily Star 15.12.11

[192] Daily Star 3.12.11

[193] Independent 24.12.11

[194] Independent 19.12.11

[195] Prothomalo, 2011/12/19

[196] Amardesh, 2012/12/19

[197] Amardesh, 2011/12/24

[198] Prothomalo, 2011/12/25

[199] Amardesh, 2011/12/08

[200] Prothom-alo, 2011/12/24

[201] Nayadiganta, 2011/12/24

[202] Prothomalo, 2011/12/23

[203] Prothomalo, 2011/12/22

[204] Prothomalo, 2011/12/21

[205] Sangram, 2011/12/21

[206] Prothomalo, 2011/12/20

[207] Sangram, 2011/12/20

[208] Sangram, 2011/12/20

[209] Prothomalo, 2011.12.20

[210] Prothomalo, 2011/12/18

[211] Prothomalo, 2011/12/16

[212] Nayadiganta, 2011/12/16

[213] Amardesh, 2011/12/09

[214] Prothomalo, 2011/12/08

[215] Nayadiaganta, 2011/12/06

[216] Amardesh, 2011/12/06

[217] Prothomalo, 2011/12/03

[218] Amardesh, 2011/11/29

[219] Prothomalo, 2011/11/28

[220] Nayadiganta, 2011/12/25

[221] Prothomalo, 2011/12/23

[222] Amardesh, 2011/11/30