BD may witness a return of 1/11: apprehends US embassy
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The apprehension was disclosed from a secret message sent by the US embassy in Dhaka to Washington on February 18, 2010.
According to the message, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) announced a crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami`s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir (Shibir), after Shibir members brutally murdered one student and disabled four others who were all members of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The message, leaked by Wikileaks, stated that competition for money, power and influence steadily undermined the legitimacy of all student political groups, which are often lionized for their leading role in past pro-democracy movements. Increasingly, civil society has begun to call for a ban on student politics even as the parties continue to see their youth wings as potent weapons in their struggle for dominance.
Following a pattern set following earlier elections, the Awami League`s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), has since the Awami League`s return to power in January 2009 re-established control over most of Bangladesh`s public universities and colleges. Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, former Assistant Proctor at Dhaka University, explained to political officer of the US embassy that the student wing with such control used its position to collect protection money.
Dr Nazmul said the BCL, during the last year, extorted money from contractors, shops, and businesses operating on or near colleges and universities, manipulated tenders for government and university contracts, interfered with the enrollment of students not affiliated with the Awami League, and controlled the allocation of dormitory rooms.
On February 9, 2010 Shibir and BCL members fought each other on the Rajshahi University campus over control of a dormitory. Shibir members brutally killed Faruk Hossain, a BCL activist, and dumped his body down a manhole. Press reports stated Shibir members also attacked four other BCL members, allegedly cutting their tendons.
State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haq Tuku visited Rajshahi the following day and announced the launch of a countrywide sweep against JI and Shibir members. Tuku defeated Jamaat Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami in the December 2008 parliamentary elections.
Comment portion of the message stated that the most recent spate of student violence only partly involved political maneuverings between rival political parties. ``The failure of the government, despite its public statements and warnings, to investigate BCL members involved in criminal activities has undermined its credibility. Such partisan behavior provides further incentive for the BNP to attempt to mobilize the public against the Awami League government,`` says the message.
The violence can be found in increasing calls from civil society to depoliticize campuses and place restrictions on student political groups.