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Bangladesh

'Outlaw' killed in 'shootout'

2012-11-04

[Bangla Daily Star] The ringleader of the outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) We haven't had one of those for a while. I thought they'd finally gone extinct, but it looks like they are merely endangered. was killed in a "shootout" between his accomplices and Rapid Action Battalion personnel in Dumuria upazila of Khulna early yesterday. Hurrah! With the Rab on the case, we know the crossfire will be done right. Deceased Shailendra Nath Biswas Shailan, 48, A four-namer, though not one of them is Mohammed. Must've been rich. was a listed criminal operating in the southwestern region of the country, said police. He had also been sentenced to life term imprisonment in a murder case. Clearly an ambitious criminal type, though not up to the usual wanted on twelve planets standard. But read on, dear Reader, and perhaps more will be revealed. On information that some outlaws were holding a clandestine meeting at Shalua Bazar in the upazila, "Hist! Mahmoud the Weasel the 27th here! There's to be a secret meeting in the upazila!" a Rab team raided the area around 3:30am, said Lt Commander Noor-e-Alam, operation officer of Rab-6, Khulna. As soon as the team reached the spot, ...marked with an X, of course... the outlaws opened fire on the Rab men, forcing them to fire back. They would have preferred to negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome, but what can one do? Well, they always do so well in that sort of thing, don't they? That triggered a "shootout", the Rab official said -- a common version provided by the law enforcers after every such shootout when deaths take place. Deaths do keep occurring around the Rab. It's because those miscreants will insist on opening fire the moment their Spidey Senses tingle. After the criminals managed to flee the scene. ... as though they had never been... the Rab team found a man lying on the ground with bullet injuries, he said. One behind each ear. The Rab were both shocked and appalled, poor dears. The newest corporal had the vapours and had to be led away until he calmed down. Local people identified the man as Shailen. He was then taken to Dumuria Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead. He's dead, Jim! The body was sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue for an appointment with Dr. Quincy. The Rab personnel recovered a 9mm pistol, a revolver and six rounds of bullets from the spot. They will be cleaned until the sergeant can see his face in them by the newest corporal, then returned to their velvet-lined cases in the evidence room for next time. Rab claims that a patrol car of Rab was also damaged during the "shootout". Oh dear. Someone will have to do something about that. It is unlikely to be pleasant. Shailen, son of Kalipodo Biswas of Sholua village in the upazila, was accused in 28 cases, including for extortion and murder filed with Dumuria Police Station, said its Officer-in-Charge Md Moshiur Rahman. Ah hah! There's our wanted on twelve planets, and a Mohammed. It pays to continue reading. The victim was the second-in-command of the NBCP until 2004. But after the killing of its ringleader Monoranjan Goshai Mrinal by his rivals at Bangaon in India's West Bengal, Shailen was made chief of the outlawed party, the OC added. A few years back, Shailen fled to 24-Parganas in India where he was cooled for a few years Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! six months ago for his involvement in criminal activities. A local court incarcerated Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw! him for two months, said Moshiur. "Sixty days or sixty dollars!" "Arrrr! I can do sixty days standin' on me head!" After he returned from India last month, Shailen started to reorganise his party, the police official said, adding that Shailen was reportedly killed by his rivals in Paschimbanga on January 30 this year. But the report could not be independently confirmed at the time.

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Bangladesh

2 outlaws killed in shootouts

2009-10-10

[Bangla Daily Star] Two outlaws were killed in separate 'shootouts' between their cohorts and law enforcers in Kushtia and Khulna districts early yesterday. Two policemen were also injured during the gunfight in Khulna. A hernia and a bruised ego ... The latter can be quite painful. You know where it's kept, right? The dead were identified as Amirul Islam Khan, 40, a top cadre of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF) and son of Shomsel Khan of Kushtia sadar upazila, and Nirapada Bairagi, 50, operations commander of New Biplobi Communist Party in Khulna. Oh yeah, a New Biplobi, one of our favorites right next to the Old Biplobis ... I know the various Biplobis are splintering communist groups, but what on earth is the GMF? I dunno but apparently they make fierce faces and roll their eyes most convincingly ... From what I can make out, they're commies, too. A "bahini" is either an "armed wing" or a two piece bathing suit, I'm not sure which. A "fouz" is a "faction" or a "brigade." Gono Mukhti seems to translate to something like "Baader-Meinhof" or possibly "cheese souffle," depending on which Bengali-English dictionary you use. Our Kushtia correspondent reports, Amirul ... alias Amirul ... ... was killed in a 'shoot out' between his associates and police at Bittipara village in sadar upazila early yesterday. We have no idea where that is ... Old Patriot need only unfold his 1:15 map across four football fields to find it. I think it's printed on that NASA stuff, so it's water and snow proof. Also vacuum proof, but very susceptible to micrometeorite punctures. But I digress... According to police, a joint team of Detective Branch and Islamic University police raided the Bittipara field near Bittipara bazar following a tip-off that some cadres of GMF were holding a secret meeting there at about 2:30am. But where? Schoolyard? Pineapple field? Secret lair in the woods? Bittipara field is clearly where they grow bittiparas. Lovely flowers, like a chicory field in bloom, but really grown for the seeds, which are used as an aphrodisiac in accordance with traditional folk medicine. An odd sort of tradition, because it is counterproductive, weakening rather than strengthening... Anyway, very popular with the local women, who give it to new brides to be used as needed.* And one suspects it is needed rather frequently when living with the Biplobis The law enforcers surrounded the area and asked the outlaws to surrender. But they defied "Youse'll never take us alive, coppers!" and opened fire [BANG! BAANG! BANGETY BANG!] forcing them to fire back, police said. "If it's not too much trouble, would youse come out wit yer handz up?" "and your guns down" The incident triggered a half-an-hour long gunfight. "Chief! Could we speed this up? The wife's holding breakfast for me!" Amirul was caught in the line of fire "Aaaiiieee!" and died on the spot. "They're being rude by failing to RSVP, sergeant. Open fire!" The leader can't rely on his charges to protect him. Funny how that works. *wipes tear* My work here is done. His accomplices, however, managed to escape. "Our leader is undone! Let us decamp!" Police recovered one LG gun and four bullets from the spot. Commies dole out ammo by the eyedropper, just like they try to do in the US! Amirul was accused in 12 systems cases including eight for murder filed with different police stations in Kushtia, police said. Wanted in eight systems. Our staff correspondent in Khulna reports: Nirapada Bairagi was killed in a shootout between his associates and police around 3:10am at Ranai village of Dumuria upazila in Khulna yesterday. "Sergeant Fauzul, we're doing a double tonight. Have your squad ready at 3:10 am and not a moment later!" "Yessir!" [stamp] He was the son of Shannashi Bairagi of Sajiarha village of the upazila. "Aye! He wuz a good boy! Loved 'is mudder, seldom kicked 'is dog!" Fauzul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Dumuria Police Station, said the law enforcers raided the spot following a tip-off that some outlaws were holding a secret meeting. ring ring "Yes?" "Da deal is goin'down, 3:15 in the bittipara field." "Hokay" ring ring "Mamoud, this is Fauzul down at the police station. Would you mind scooting your chair back a little? We can't get a good scope view of Nirapada with you so close ..." Mamoud the weasel got his payoff, then. Gotta pay for piano lessons somehow, dontchaknow. Sensing presence of the police, the outlaws opened fire prompting them to retaliate that triggered a gunfight. "My spider sense! It's, dunno, ...tingling! ?" "Sure it's not your leg?" "Maybe... Nope, its the coppers!" At one stage, the outlaws fled the scene leaving Nirapada dead. Sux to be Nirapada. His security chief sux even worse! According to Khulna police super, two policemen received bullets in their legs during the 35-minute long gunfight. They are undergoing treatment at the Dumuria Health Complex. Lieutenant said 'Lock and load' not load and lock. Morons! The outlaws fired twenty shots while police retaliated and fired 11 rounds in self-defence, police super added. Its range time for the RAB. One dead bad guy and some friendly fire casualties. One behind each of Nirapada's ears, that leaves nine shots unaccounted ... All that [bang, bang, bangety bang!] takes bullets, too. Don't forget the two who kneecapped themselves with their quick draw routine. That leaves seven for celebratory gun sex... Police recovered a shutter gun, three cartridges, a rifle bullet and five empty shells from the scene. "Careful with that shutter gun, Sergeant Rafiq! That's an expensive finish!" "We had to leave the velvet-lined case at the lock-up, sir!" The deceased was wanted in several murder, kidnapping and dacoity cases, OC added. And the amazing thing about the dacoity charges is that he isn't even a member of Congress *Almost forgot. I made up all that stuff about bittipara. I wouldn't want to start an international incident because Google somehow got hold of that "information". ummm ... too late, good tw. Your comment shows up at the top of Google search results for 'bittipara' ... I suspect it will take awarding the Nobel prize in horticulture to Michelle Obama to soothe the international outrage this will trigger. As of 11:00 a.m. the top two items. I'll serve tea and cake overlooking the garden, analogous to President Obama's beer among the roses, only it's really too cool now to sit outside. That should fix things.

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Bangladesh

New Biplobi bad guy shoots through to the great beyond

2009-10-03

An alleged top-ranking extremist was killed in a so-called gun battle with the police early on Saturday, police said. "He will be missed!" "He will?" "Well, I'll miss him!" "I'm sure you will, Mother Sarder." Abu Sayeed Sarder alias Ranga Sayeed, 45, a leader of the banned New Biplobi Communist Party (red flag) 'red flag', was the latest casualty in the ongoing crackdown on outlawed extremists in the country's south and south-western districts. "Greetings, New Biplobi comrades!" "Greetings, Your Enormity!" Superintendent of police of Khulna Mohammad Shamsuddin told bdnews24.com, tipped-off that a gang of terrorists had assembled for a secret meeting at Aamvita High School ground, a special team of police raided the spot. "Hark! My spider sense is tingling!" "Where's my shutter gun?" "Where'dja put the round of bullet, dammit?" "The miscreants opened fire on the police and the law-enforcers retaliated, ensuing a gun battle," Shamsuddin said. "Ready on the left?" "Ready!" "Ready on the right?" "Ready!" "Fire!" [BANG! BANG! BANGETY BANG!] "Aaaaiiiieeee!" [thud] Sayeed was found shot after the gun battle, "What's this?" "Looks like a corpse, sir!" "Got him right behind the ear! Good shootin', Sergeant Sergeant Rafiq!" while his accomplices fled the scene after a while, "Hey! Where'd they go?" "Where'd who go?" the SP added. He was taken to Dumuria health complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead. "He's dead, Jim!" Police retrieved a shotgun and three round bullets from the spot. "A shotgun, is it?" "Yessir. And three rounds of bullet!" "What caliber?" ".22, .32, and... ummm... .42, I think." He faced one murder, one extortion, and one explosives case while many complaints were filed against him with the police, Shamsuddin added. "He war a bad 'un, he war!" "My baby! He's... he's... he's titzup! I'll never hear his snarl again!" State minister for home Shamsul Islam Tuku said the militants have been asked to surrender or the drive against them would be intensified further. "Youse guyz better surrender, or youse'll get the same!" Human-rights organisations have been urging the government to stop such 'extra judicial killings'. "Tut tut!" "Yeah! Tut!" A total of 97 people died in "shootouts" and in custody of law-enforcing agencies until Sep 30 from Jan 1 this year, said independent human-rights watchdog Odhikar said last Thursday. Home minister Sahara Khatun, however, claimed that no extra-judicial killings were being committed by the law-enforcers. "No, no! Certainly not!"

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Bangladesh

New Biplobi commie eats dirt in 'shootout'

2009-09-17

An outlawed party leader was killed in a 'shootout' between his cohorts and police at Gutudia village under Dumuria upazila in Khulna yesterday. Nope, got no idea where that is. Identifying him as Mashubar Halder, 40, son of Noresh Halder of Gutudia village, Khulna Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsuddin said he was an armed cadre of New Biplobi Communist Party. As we've said before, the only good commie is a dead commie Sources said police raided Wapda Road acting on a tip-off where a gang of extremists gathered together around 3:20am to commit a crime. Lurking on a dark, witness free street at 03:20, check Mahamoud the Rat dropping a dime on da gang, check Sensing the presence of police, check the outlaws opened fire checkforcing the law enforcers to retaliate. checkPolice said Mashubar died on the spot "....rosebud..."while his associates managed to flee the scene after a while. ..and check. they've been rerunning this same story with different dead guys since at least 2002. Two policemen -- Sobhan and Tajul Islam -- were also injured during the incident. They were admitted to local upazila health complex. Must have burned themselves with hot coffee from the local takeout Police also recovered a point 22-bore pistol and three bullets from the spot. A .22 behind the ear doesn't make much noise Mashubar was accused in 18 cases, on twelve systems including seven for murder, police said.

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Bangladesh

New Biplobi shot dead in Kushtia

2009-02-14

Looks like the RAB has adapted to the bad publicity ... A regional leader of outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Charbiharia village under Khoksa upazila of the district on Thursday night. One less commie, gunned down in the middle of the street by 'unknowns'. Gee, wonder who has it in for the commies of Bangladesh? The dead was identified as Bikash Kumar Bose, 36, son of Bipul Kumar Bose of Mulgram village in Kumarkhali upazila. No idea where that is. Bikash was a close associate of NBCP chief Akidil Hossain who was killed in a 'shootout' with police in February 1 last year. A shootout, then an outlaw shot dead. Hmmm ... According to police, a gang of 5 to 6 shot Bidkash in the chest and abdomen and left the scene. He died instantly. Right on the spot, didn't even get time to croak 'rosebud' ... Hearing gunshots, locals rushed to the spot and found Bikash lying in a pool of blood. On information, police rushed to the village, recovered the body and sent it to Kushtia Sadar Hospital for autopsy. "Here's another one for you, Dr. Quincy!" "Stack him in the back with the others, Sam." No one was arrested in connection with the killing as of 7:00pm yesterday. Almost as of no one had ever been there ...

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Bangladesh

Govt to ban 18 armed groups

2008-09-08

The government is planning to officially ban 18 splinter groupings of clandestine armed communists soon, as law enforcing agencies identified them as organisations engaged in anti-state activities in 13 north-west and southern districts. RAB's been hungry lately... According to top officials of police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), the decision is being taken for the first time since the independence of the country, with an aim to eradicating such organisations before the next parliamentary election. Responding to recommendations of different intelligence agencies, the police headquarters in early August sent a proposal to the home ministry for banning the outfits, sources said. On Thursday, the home ministry in a top level meeting with chiefs of law enforcement and intelligence agencies discussed the matter and initiated a process of banning the outfits. Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin chaired the meeting. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Muhammad confirmed the initiative to The Daily Star saying, "The topic is being discussed." Once the outfits are banned, they will hardly get any chance of slipping through legal loopholes, which has been common so far, as the new rules will be tougher, the home adviser said. The government already banned Islamist militant outfits Shahadat-e Al Hikma, Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh, and Harkatul Jihad Al Islami. Armed communist operations started in the country since the independence, but they splintered into many small groupings following intra-party rivalries over blessings of successive ruling parties during tenures of elected governments, and over establishing supremacy. In the name of so called revolutionary agenda of capturing state power through armed struggle, the outfits so far killed hundreds of people including law enforcers, and robbed a number of police stations making off with government arms and ammunition. Citing many previous killings of political leaders, the top officials of police and Rab said operatives of the outfits might become more active before the next parliamentary poll. 18 OUTFITS Intelligence wings of Rab and police identified 18 outfits and their 40 leaders who are active in 13 north-west and southern districts. Among the 40 leaders, two were killed in 'crossfire' and six were arrested leaving the rest operating. Among the outfits, Lal Potaka (Red Flag) faction of Purbo Banglar Communist Party Marxists-Leninist (PBCP M-L) is active in Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, Bogra, Pabna, Sirajganj, Kushtia, and in Gangni of Meherpur. Red Flag used to be led by Dr Mizanur Rahman Tutul who died in 'crossfire' on July 27. The outfit is now being led by Madhu Babu alias Shafik. Other leaders of the group are Ratan alias Titas, Abdus Salam Tapu, Zahangir alias Jalal, Rashid, Ibrahim Chairman, Khokon, Wali Chairman, and Anwar. PBCP M-L Jana Juddha (People's War) faction is active in Jhenidah, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Pabna and Kushtia. It is now without a leader since its former chief Tapan Malitha alias Dada Tapan died in 'crossfire'. PBCP M-L (Rashid) is operating in Khulna and in its adjoining areas led by Harun Sheikh, where another outfit Bangladesh New Biplobi Communist Party (BNBCP) led by Gazi Quamrul is also active. BNBCP also has two others factions -- Mrinal Group led by Dev Prashad alias Manik, and Sailen Group led by Shailendranath Biswas. Another outfit Sramajibi Mukti Andolon or Gana Mukti Fouj is active under the leadership of Aminul Islam Mukul in Jhenidah, Kushtia, Pabna, Chuadanga, Rajbari and Meherpur. Other leaders of the outfit are Shahin Rumi, Shamsul Islam Robin, Anwar Hossain Debu, and Shisir. Bangladesh Communist Oikkya Prokria is led by Mosarraf Hossain Musa in Jhenidah. Omol Krishna Mandol, Hasanul Haq Hasu, and Swapan Chakrabarty are leading Bangladesh Biplobi Communist Party in Chuadanga, Kushtia, Meherpur, and Rajbari. Nuruzzaman Laltu leads Banglar Communist Party in Chuadanga. Roni Biswas is leading Bangladesh Communist Juddha in Chuadanga and Meherpur. Samad Member, Aziz Commander, Kamrul Hasan Himu Kha, and Hapu alias Hasanul Haque are leading Sarbahara Group in Rajbari, Babuganj, Ujirpur, and in Gournadi of Barisal. Sarbahara Sagor Group is active in Rajbari, led by Bulu Akhtar Sagor. Sarbahara Party is led by Alam Sadhu and Edward Biswas Nanu in Pabna and Barisal while Sarbahara Zia Group is led by Nur Muhammad Sikdar, Abdur Rahim Hawladar, Fazle Rabbi, and Abdur Rahim Sikdar. Sarbahara Poresh Group is active under the leadership Abul Kalam in Rajbari and Faridpur. Jashod Gono Bahini of Azibor Chairman and Anwar Hossain Anu is active in Kushtia. Regional Bahini is being led by Montu Chairman, Sayeed, and Malek in Pabna. The leaders arrested so far are Ibrahim, Gazi Quamrul, Dev Prashad Manik, Nuruzzaman Laltu, Kamrul Hasan Himu Kha, and Abul Kalam.

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Bangladesh

New Biplobi Commie killed in 'shootout'

2008-02-02

One of the founders of outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) was killed yesterday in a shootout between police and his cohorts at Dakshin Mulgram village in Kushtia. I still don't know the difference between a New Biplobi and an Old Biplobi. The dead was identified as Akdil Hossain, 57, known as Buro among his group members. Who shall remain nameless. Akdil became the acting chief of the banned outfit after the death of NBCP leader Monoranjan Goshai alias Mrinal who was allegedly 'killed' in India last year. Once you've been "killed" you're "dead." Then you start to "rot." Police said acting on a tip off, ... ... thanks to Mahmoud the Weasel ... ... they cordoned off a sugarcane field at Dakshin Mulgram village in Kumarkhali upazila, ... ... no, we don't know where that is ... ... where the activists of NBCP were holding a secret meeting at about 3:30am. Now that's the time for a shoot-out! When the law enforcers asked the outlaws to surrender, ... ..."Hokay you mugs, toss the heat and getyermitts in da air!" ... ... they fired on the cops prompting them to retaliate. More aimless fire, and you know what happens next ... Akdil was killed in the half-an-hour long shootout ... ... "rosebud!" [rattle] ... ... while his cohorts managed to escape. As if they were never there in the first place ... Police recovered a shutter gun and eight rounds of bullet from the spot. Police recovered a shutter gun and eight rounds of bullet from the spot. The one and only shutter gun, don't leave home without it. But Akdil's relatives said a team of plainclothes policemen arrested Akdil while he was purchasing goods at a shop at Rayerbazar in the capital at about 2:30pm on Wednesday. Just minding his own bidness ... Sources said Akdil went on the lam took shelter in his area after the state of emergency was imposed in the country. Akdil' nephew Matiur Rahman Mati, also a close aide of the leader of the outlawed outfit, on Wednesday told a few journalists that police had arrested his uncle. "We got yer uncle, Matiur. You're next!" Police said Akdil, who hailed from Dakshin Mulgram village of Kumarkhali upazila, got involved in criminal activities in 1975 after joining Biplobi Communist Party (BCP). Funny how 'criminal' and 'Communist' just seem to go together ... Akdil tried to establish his supremacy in the area by eliminating his rivals including Jasad Gono Bahini (JGB) leaders. He killed about 16 people including leaders of BNP and Awami League. Acts like a commie, too ... Police said Akdil had been accused on twelve systems in 18 cases on different charges including murder. Akdil's first victim was JGB leader Sher Ali who was murdered in 1986. He killed JGB leader Billal at Mulgram in 1992 and two other leaders of the party, Mojibar and Ukil in 1997. Five JGB activists -- Kajol, Jasim, Moslem, Manirul and Zia -- were killed by Akdil's followers in a gunfight at Mukshitpur Char in 1996. BNP leader Sadar Uddin was murdered in 1995 while three of his party men, Faruq, Laltu and Badal were killed in 1997 at his hand. Besides, he was involved in the killings of JGB leaders Mozammel and Wahab, college teacher Mahbubur Rahman Ripon in 2004 and hotel manager Joygopal in June, 2004. "Attaboy, Akdil. Thanks for killing all those commies for us. Now we just want to 'talk' with you." With the help of Mrinal, Akdil formed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) in 1998. Akdil, who was the second-in-command of the outfit, managed to constitute a group of about 500 armed cadres. At least 200 people including leaders and activists of different political parties, and businessmen were killed at the hands of NBCP cadres in ten south-western districts in the last eight years. About 50 NBCP men were also killed in 'crossfire' between the outlaws and law enforcers in the last three years in the region. Almost but not quite makes up for the 200 innocents they killed ... Akdil grabbed 300 acres of land at Mukshitpur, Komorbhog and Raipur Char in 1997 and distributed those among his followers who still collect extortion money from the inhabitants of the chars. He also had been involved in abduction, robbery and other criminal activities in Khoksa, Kumarkhali and sadar upazila of Kushtia, Pangsha and Baliakandi in Rajbari, and Sailkupa in Jhenidah. Sources said police and Rab members had conducted around 40 drives to arrest Akdil in last few years but failed. They only had to get lucky once ... I love a story with a happy ending

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Bangladesh

"Crossfire" Countdown

2007-05-13

Eighty-nine people were killed in custody and 1,75,435 were arrested across the country during anti-crime and anti-corruption drives in the first four months of the state of emergency, proclaimed on January 11, said a report of the human rights coalition Odhikar. Forty-nine of the victims were killed by the Rapid Action Battalion, 23 by the police, seven by the joint forces, six by the army and three by the navy between January 12 and May 11. One person was killed in the custody of the Department of Narcotics Control, the report said. And now, the list. Drum roll, please: Of the 89 people, 47 were killed in RAB ‘crossfire’, two died in hospital after being picked up by the battalion, 12 were killed in police ‘crossfire’, five were tortured to death by the police, three were shot dead by the police, one died in police custody, two died in hospital after being arrested by the police, four died reportedly from torture by the army, one died when trying to escape from the custody of the army, one died in hospital after being picked up by the army, three were reportedly tortured to death by the navy, three were reportedly tortured to death by the joint forces, one was killed in ‘crossfire’ with the joint forces, one died in hospital after being picked up by the joint forces, one died when he allegedly jumped from a six storied building in the custody of the joint forces, Missed the stairs, did he? one died after being left at a police station by the joint forces and another was reportedly killed in the custody of the Department of Narcotics Control, the Odhikar report said. And that's just in four months. Eight of the 89 people killed during the period, four were activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, four of Awami League, six of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (Janajuddha), four of underground Purba Banglar Communist Party, three of extremist Purba Banglar Communist Party (Red Flag), two of outlawed Biplobi Communist Party, one of extremist New Biplobi Communist Party, two of underground Gana Mukti Fauj, one of Jatiya Samajantrik Dal, three of Sramajibi Mukti Andolan and four of extremist Sarbahara Party, one was a freedom fighter, one was an indigenous leader and another was reportedly an operative of an extremist group, the report said. Members of different bands of criminals were also among the people killed during the period. Three of them were of Gangchil Bahini, one of Masim Bahini, one of Haji Bahini and one of Salam Bahini. Bahini clan seems to be big in the band "business" Three suspected gunrunners, two alleged muggers, one alleged gambler, two alleged drug peddlers, 10 alleged robbers and 17 other criminals were among the persons killed. Others killed during the period included two farmers, a businessman, a police informer (source), a bus driver (as claimed by his family), a detained bus driver and one whose occupation was unknown. "We don't know what he did, but he's still dead, Jim" Odhikar demanded independent inquiries of all the extra-judicial killings or deaths in custody. It also demanded that the results of all such inquiries should be made public. Odhikar is also trying to know the condition of freedom fighter Gazi Golam Dastagir, Quamrul Huda and other persons who remain without trace after being arrested or picked up by law enforcement agencies, said the report. Odhikar also expressed deep concern over the ‘atrocities’ perpetrated on Khalishpur jute mill workers who went on strike demanding their unpaid wages and demanded release of the arrested workers and withdrawal of cases against them. The rights coalition also expressed concern at the ‘atrocities’ perpetrated on the students of Khalishpur who expressed solidarity with the striking jute mill workers. "Jute workers of the world unite!" Odhikar condemned the brief detention of journalist Tasneem Khalil for questioning by the joint forces as an ‘act of intimidation’ [against human rights defenders]. Odhikar conducted two fact-finding missions regarding the killings of ward commissioner Dulal of Charfasson (February 20, 2007) and Farid of Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola (March 21, 2007) in the custody of local naval force. Odhikar’s acting director ASM Nasiruddin Elan was taken to the Naval Headquarters on 3 May, 2007 where Captain Zubayer, director of Naval Intelligence and three others intimidated and harassed him for preparing the reports on the incidents and threatened him with death, the report said.

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Bangladesh

New Biplobi Commie dies after Rab arrest

2007-02-25

A top cadre of the outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) died in Kushtia after five hours of his arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab). The dead, Bolai Hossain, 40, was a nephew and second-in-command of notorious killer and regional leader of NBCP Akdil Hossain. According to Rab, Bolai fell sick at around 2.45pm during interrogation at local Rab office. Sources said Rab arrested Bolai after raiding his house at South Mulgram under Kumarkhali upazila at around 10.30 am yesterday on information that he returned home from the hideout. According to Rab, Bolai fell sick at around 2.45pm during interrogation at local Rab office. [WHACK!] [THUMP!] "Aaaaaaiiiiieeee! [Sag!]" "Wossamotta? You sick?" "Rosebud!" Doctors at Kushtia General Hospital found Bolai's pressure very low and declared him dead at about 3.30pm. Police said Bolai was an accused in at least a dozen cases including four for murders and evading arrest for the last several years.

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Bangladesh

Four pirates killed in gunfight with RAB in Pashur river

2006-12-03

BAGERHAT, Dec 2 (UNB): At least four pirates and one coastguard were reportedly killed while a coastguard and a RAB member went missing after a gunfight at the estuary of the river Pashur near Mongla Friday night. Wherever the hell that is. RAB sources said RAB-6 member and Battalion Ansar Platoon Commander Kanchan went missing in the river with his AK-47 rifle at one stage of scuffle with the pirates. Two coastguards were also reportedly missing but their identity could not be known. Kanchan went down with the ship, eh? RAB and coastguards arrested a gang of 10-12 pirates in a trawler on the river at about 10pm and recovered 40 rounds of bullet following a tip-off that a consignment of arms was being sent to the Sundarbans forest. Transferring arms to the New Biplobi Communist Party, no doubt. The gang later attacked the coastguards and RAB members on the trawler while the law-enforcers were returning after arresting the pirates. At one stage of scuffle, the pirates threw the coastguards and the RAB member into the river and took control of the trawler, triggering the gunfight, RAB and coastguards sources said. RAB guys were shooting from the water? Now that's tough for you. According to sources, at least four pirates were killed in the gunfight. However, there was no official version about the reported death of the pirates. Navy, RAB and coastguards started rescue operation in the river for their colleagues. "Keep dragging, Kanchan's got to be in there somewhere!"

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Bangladesh

Outlawed parties busy recruiting new cadres

2006-10-17

Cadres to work for major political parties during polls to evade 'crossfire' Several outlawed parties in the country's southwestern region are recruiting fresh 'cadres' in an attempt to reorganise themselves and increase their strength ahead of the next parliamentary election. And after recruitment, the outlaws are pushing these cadres into different political parties to work with them for the upcoming polls and camouflage their real identity to escape 'crossfire' deaths. Besides, top leaders of these outfits are also maintaining close contacts with some top political leaders of the region, including lawmakers, who earlier used the outlaws' strength to manipulate different elections particularly parliamentary polls. Sources including those close to the outlawed parties said the outfits are taking to such tactics in the context of 'crossfire' killings of many of their cadres, changing situation of underground politics in the country and their planned role in the next general election. The outfits are three factions of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) --PBCP-Janajuddho, PBCP-Red Flag and PBCP-Communist Juddho -- Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF), Gono Bahini (GB) and New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP). I dunno why, but I've got a soft spot for the New Biplobi Communist Party. They have already collected a good number of 'cadres' in the last several months. Now, a number of such cadres are working as activists of different political parties, mostly in the ruling BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Several leaders of the main opposition Awami League (AL) are also maintaining close links with leaders of the outlawed parties, sources said. The outlaws are distributing leaflets at different places in several districts calling upon people to come under their banners to uproot the present capitalist society and build a "socialist people's state". The PBCP-Janajuddho recently distributed leaflets in Bamundi, Kazipur and Khoksa areas in Meherpur district and Sahebnagar, Bhogailbagdi and Alamdanga of Chuadanga. Earlier in August, the outlaws distributed leaflets in Alukdia, Kalpara and Kodalia village in sadar upazila of Jhenidah district, Amla, Chitolia and Mirpur in Kushtia and some areas of Narail. They also held several meetings in these areas escaping the eyes of law enforcers. At these meetings, the outlawed parties advised their cadres to join hands with leaders of different political parties, mainly the ruling alliance, so that they can get their (leaders) help when needed, specially to evade 'crossfire' after arrest. This correspondent saw several cadres of outlawed parties who are working with political parties, particularly the ruling alliance. Taizal Hossain, a top terror of Kushtia and an accused in at least 20 cases including that for murders, is working with Jamaat in Mirpur upazila in the district. He is under the control of local Jamaat leader Abdul Gafur. Another top cadre of outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP) -- Akbar, alias "Killer Akbar" -- is working with the BNP in Bheramara upazila in Kushtia. A relative of the local ruling party lawmaker controls his activities. Another top cadre of outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP) -- Akbar alias "Killer Akbar" -- is working with the BNP in Bheramara upazila in Kushtia. A relative of the local ruling party lawmaker controls his activities. Many other cadres such as Ainal of Uzangram, Rahman, Arif and Masud of Hatiaabdalpur, Niza, and Sabbir of Jhoudia in Sadar upazila of Kushtia are working for the AL. All were cadres of the GB. A local AL leader and a teacher of Islamic University (IU) are reportedly controlling these elements. A number of cadres of the PBCP-Red Flag are now working with a ruling alliance lawmaker of Meherpur. The lawmaker's brother, who is a lawyer by profession, is in control of these cadres. The chief of the outlawed party has close ties with the lawmaker, sources said. A good number of cadres of outlawed Banglar Communist Party (BCP-Laltu) have reportedly joined both the ruling and opposition parties in Chuadanga. And they are now attending different political programmes of these parties. Use of outlaws during any election in the southwestern region is a practice going on for years. Even law enforcers admitted this on different occasions. “Outlawed parties are traditionally used in vote rigging in this region,” said a senior police official who is posted in the region for several years. “A number of godfathers of outlaws and other gang members are political leaders belonging to major parties,” the official told this correspondent over phone, seeking anonymity. The list containing 133 hardcore criminals belonging to outlawed parties and their 27 'political godfathers' was sent to the higher authorities. Of the 133 listed criminals, 62 were killed in 'crossfire'. None of the 'godfathers' has been arrested as yet... He mentioned that on orders of the higher authorities last year, different intelligence agencies prepared a list of criminals and their 'political godfathers' in the region. And the list containing 133 hardcore criminals belonging to outlawed parties and their 27 'political godfathers' was sent to the higher authorities. Of the 133 listed criminals, 62 were killed in 'crossfire', sources said. One source however said the victims include some cadres of political parties---mainly the AL, BNP and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD)-- but none of the 'godfathers' has been arrested as yet. Chuadanga police on October 24 last year announced bounties on 20 'top outlaws'. But it proved futile. Only three of them were arrested but they were caught in 'crossfire' when police took them out to recover their hidden firearms. Police records say 345 people were killed in 'crossfire' in 10 districts in the region since June 2004. Among them, 158 people were killed during June - December 2004, 108 last year and the remaining ones this year. The outlawed parties are now facing a manpower crisis due to killing of many of their cadres in 'crossfire'. The PBCP-Janajuddho has lost the largest number of cadres in the last two years. To meet this crisis, they are now recruiting fresh cadres, sources mentioned. At least 13 outlawed parties are active in the region and about 1,000 illegal firearms are under their possession. The parties are four factions of the PBCP including PBCP-ML, Biplobi Communist Party (BCP), the NBCP, BCP-Laltu, the GMF, the GB, Socialist Party (SP), Biplobi Anuragi, Chhinnomul Communist Party (CCP) and Sarbahara People's Manch (SPM).

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Bangladesh

Government, RAB, only targeting Maoists

2006-02-02

More than 650 Islamist terrorists purportedly belonging to the Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) and the Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HUJI-BD), including a handful of mid-ranking militant cadres have been arrested in the aftermath of the August 17, 2005, country-wide bomb blasts in the country. Newspapers, on a daily basis, do provide details of incidents of security forces raiding militant hideouts and recovering arms and explosives. On the face of it, it would appear that Bangladesh is making a sincere effort at curbing Islamist terrorism. The appearance, however, belies the reality. The data on terrorism related fatalities is a dead giveaway. A country that is riddled with Islamist extremist activity sees its principal threat – and the primary target of security forces’ activity – in a minuscule Left Wing extremist (LWE) movement concentrated in small pockets of the western Districts of Bangladesh. Bizarre though it is, 177 deaths were reported in 2005 in LWE-related violence, compared to just 35 killed in connection with Islamist militancy. The data assumes an even more sinister dimension on closer scrutiny. As many as 163 of the 177 LWE fatalities (92 per cent) were categorized as ‘outlaws’. 11 civilians and 3 security force (SF) personnel were killed by the LWE-related violence in the whole year. By comparison, just nine Islamist terrorists were killed through 2005 Further details fill out a twisted picture. While the state eliminated 60 LWEs between August and December 2005, only two Islamist terrorists were killed during the same period. Interestingly, the security forces had no role to play in the death of the Islamist terrorists, as both JMB cadres were killed during suicide blasts on November 29 and December 8 in Gazipur and Netrokona Districts LWE in Bangladesh, consisting of the PBCP, Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF), New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP), remains in a high state of disarray and their activities have been confined to the limits of the western districts of the country such as Satkhira, Khulna, Jessore, Jhenaidah, Magura, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Kushtia, Pabna and Rajshahi. Once-influential, outfits such as Purba Banglar Communist Party, over the years have split into several factions such as Janajuddha, Marxist-Leninist, Lal Pataka and Communist War, each posing little or negligible threat to state and its populace. Some of these factions are also involved in bitter fratricidal clashes, periodically eliminating their rival cadres. And when not engaged in infighting, the LWEs, popularly referred to as Sarbaharas, are generally engaged in isolated acts of extortion and abduction. The LWEs have been systematically targeted both by the state and the Islamist militants, and indeed the rise of the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) and the notorious Bangla Bhai can be traced directly to a police-supported campaign to target and eliminate LW cadres. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), created in 2004 as a special para-military force under the Home Ministry, has been overwhelmingly targeted and eliminated LWEs and other criminals (mostly referred to as terrorists) in various fake encounters, referred to as ‘cross fires’ over the years. A report by the BBC (December 13, 2005) suggested that 190 people had been killed in such ‘cross fires’ in the last two years by the RAB. Occasional voices have been raised by the human rights activists over such periodic extra-judicial killings, but these have secured no Government response. A parallel campaign against the Sarbaharas was launched by the Islamist groups like the JMJB, propped up with adequate State sanction to deal with the ‘menace’ of Left Wing extremism. As Islamist militants, through 2003, 2004 and the early part of 2005, went on a rampage in the countryside, hunting down the Sarbaharas and their supporters, Government Forces stood by as a mute spectator and in some cases facilitated such atrocities. In a series of campaigns that took place in 2003 and 2004, mutilated bodies of suspected LWEs were hung from trees and electric poles by the JMJB’s private army. The war on terrorism in Bangladesh, in spite of the formidable growth of radical Islam, remains essentially a prejudiced war on the peripheral Left Wing extremist movement, leaving out of its scope both the Islamists and the large number of Northeast Indian terrorist groups that operate out of Bangladeshi safe havens with manifest state support. With regard to the Islamist groups, the ‘standard operating procedure’ appears to be a cycle of routine arrest, interrogation and release. Large scale arrests – ordinarily of low level cadres – have ordinarily been a response to growing international concerns (read, demands) rather than any firm commitment to address the problem of rising Islamist extremism and terror..Reports indicate that more than 650 militants have been arrested during country-wide raids from different districts. However, due to reasons including official slackness as well as intervention of politicians, most of them were either released, while even the elementary charge sheets have not yet been filed against others. Reports on January 21, 2006, indicated that the Netrokona District police was yet to submit the charge sheets against JMB militants arrested for their involvement in the August 17 explosions. Bangladesh’s false war on terror has enormously strengthened Islamist extremist forces in the country, and while many speak of the tremendous damage these forces will eventually do to the country, it is apparent that the current concerns of the political leadership, particularly the parties in power, appear to be based on a calculus that focuses on the significant and immediate partisan gains that they believe to be accruing to them, rather than the greater and eventual damage to the national interest. There is little within the political dynamic in the country that could reverse current trends, at least before the elections of 2007.

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