By Jahangir Alam Akash, The death sentences of six Militants including Siddiqul Islam alias ‚Bangla Bhai' (in reality ‚Pakibhai'), the real founder of Militancy in Bangladesh and his spiritual Guru Shayokh Abdul Rahman were effected in March 2007. On the charges of killings the judges in Jhalokhathi, they were sentenced to death. On the other side, Dr. Muhammad Asadullah Ghalib, Professor and Ex Chairman of Arabic Department of Rajshahi University, charged with militant activities, has been released after a long imprisonment. But the influential's of BNP-Jamat qualition government who were the chief patrons of the Militants are still out of touch! The local cadres of Banglabhai, Abdur Rahman and Dr. Ghalib are also free. Besides Militant Godfathers are also still untouched. No trial was held following the more than years of tortures and reign of terrors in the name of so-called ‚Shorobohara-subdue' by Shayokh Rahman and Banglabhai in Northbengal. The victims' allegations and crying are floating on the ear in Northern areas specially in greater Rajshahi. The Justice cry in secret! Banglabhai was a real picture of terror in greater Rajshahi. He led his personal social, political, economic and administrative reign here. More than one ministers, MP, state Ministers of the last BNP-Jamat-qualition government and other influentials, police have helped him and his armed group in all respects.
On the 1 October 2004 in greater Rajshahi it was started! Suddenly with Crowbar, spears, big choppers, batons and arms in hands with green barrettes in waist and head, a group of militants appeared in Baghmara, Rajshahi. In village Polashi, in the cultivating field poor farmer and Awami League worker Wasim alias Osman Babu 827) was working. Under the leadership of Banglabhai, terrorists made him wounded with choppings and then killed him. After this heinous murder, they went to the Bangmara Police Station celebrating and rejoicing. On this the reign of terror led by Banglabhai in Rajshahi began, under the banner of ‚Shorbohara-killings'. Latter on his reign of terror was spread to the greater Rajshahi in Baghmara, Puthia, Noldanga (Natore), Natore Sadar, Atrai (Natore) and Raninagar Upozilla.
Hung to death: On 29 March, 2007 was executed the order of hung to death of the militant leaders. Leader of banned Islamist militancy group Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai was hanged to death on midnight Thursday 29 March, 2007.
Militant Siddiqul Islam and Abdul Awal were hanged to death in Mymensingh prison. Another convicted militant – Khalid Saifullah was hanged in Pabna prison around the same time.
The dead bodies of the militants were taken to their respective villages amidst tight security for burial.
All three militants were earlier convicted and sentenced to death for grenade attacks that killed a number of innocent people, including two judges named Jagannath Parey and Sohel Ahmed in the coastal town of Jhalkathi.
Registrar of killings and tortures: Bangla Bhai and his armed group through murders and terrors created a reign of terror. Within about one year's expedition, they killed 32 tying their hands and feet, hanging. About 500 persons have become handicap. At least 3,000 were the victims of torture! Including members of the parliament hundreds of people became homeless. After being abducted from homes by Bangla Bhai-group, including religious minorities Tarun, Shufol, Shushanto of Naogaon, Atrari, Raninagar, Abu Taleb Bhutta of Shajuria village, Shahidul Islam of Baruihati village, at least 5/7 persons are still missing for the last 5 years. Police and local people think, they were all killed. No honest and effective enquiry was made for the killings and tortures by Militants. No trial was performed. The victims' family have faced much harassments and deceptions but yet they do not give up the hopes of justice. After the coming of power of Sk. Hasina Wajed, this latent hope has been revived again. In the field cases on charges of helping Militants, influential Minister Barrister Aminul Hoque of BNP-Jamat qualition government, Rajshahi BNP-General Secretary Shish Muhammad are sentenced with 31 years of imprisonment. But the defendants could not be arrested by Police or RAB still now.
List of killeds: Identities of the 32 killed by Bangla Bhai and his group through tortures are found. They are, on 1 April 2004, Wasim alias Osman Babu, on 11 April (after tortures, on 11 April, died on 17 April), Militants hanged Golam Robbani Mukul of Kanopara, on 20 April Durgapur Awami League Leader and UP member Ajhar Ali, on 22 April Mosharraf Hossain of Belgharia, Raninagar, , Saifur of Pirgacha, Natore, on 23 July Diponkar of Kashiabari, Atrai (in the same way), on 27 April Diponkar Roy and UP Dafadar of Kashiabari, in the month of April Azahar Ali of Durgapur Awami League and UP member was tortured, he became ill and died last year, on 1 May retired army soldier Sk Farid of Bhonpara, Atrai, unknown 3 persons, on the 13 May Rabeya of Neempara committed suicide after rape on 14 May), on 15 May the deadbody of Abdul Kayyum Badsha was hanged in the tree. He was the much known Awami League and Shorbohara leader of Shafikpur, Raninnagar. On 24 June the Wami League and Shorbohara leader Khejur Ali of Shimba Village, Raninagar was killed, cut into pieces, Afzal of Borogacha of Raninnaga, on 30 June, Union Awami League Publiciy Secretary Yasin Ali of Baghmara Maria Union was hanged in the tree and killed through much torture. On the 25 June, unkown 3 persons of Bashudebpur were killed, on 14 November in the Raninagar Bheti Camp, Chatraleague leader Ziaul Hoque Zia, on 27th NovemberBNP (Mahbub) leader Ali Akbar of in Bishnupur of Taherpur, Baghmara, on 22 January 2oo5, Awami League Sreepur leader Mahabub was killed and attempt was made to kill Awami league popular leader UP Chairman Moqbul Hossain Mridha. Besides, the victim of the torture of Bangla Bhai, the fugitive widow old Rahima died few days back. After about five years, Abdul Bari of Baghmara came back home.
Those who helped and assisted Bangla Bhai and his group: The then SP Rajshahi Masud Mia, much discussed on the Bangla Bhai activities and now fired from the job on the same allegations, Ex BNP MP of Puthia-Durgapur and General Secretary of Rajshahi BNP Nadim Mostofa, Ex BNP-Jamat qualition government's Housing and Public works State Minister and present LDP leader Alamgir Kabir, Ex land Deputy Minister Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, The Ex Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Mijanur Rahman Minu, Ex Post and Telecommunication Minister Barrister Aminul Hoq. They are all alleged to give Militants gover´nment helps. In the background of Militants' activities, it is complained that Jamat-Shibir have played a major role. From the 14 political parties including CPB and Awami League, this complain has been made. Besides against the Ex Industry Minister and Chief of Jamat (Ameer) Matur Rahman Nizami and the Secretary General of BNP Ex Social- welfare Minister Ali Ahsan Mujahid, the same complain has been made from them. But the common people believe, the real Godfathers of the Militant activities are the ‚independence-opponents' murder clique. In the grass roots, all Militants had started their political career with Jamat-Shibir.
The existence of Bangla Bhai denied, then agreed and the order of his arrest: Because of the terrorist activities in the name of so-called ‚Islamic Revolution', and the atrocities led by Bangla Bhai in Northbengal, Bangladesh Government, inside and outside the country faced tremendous criticism. But BNP-Jamat government Ministers and influential leaders told, ‚there is no existence of Bangla Bhai and Militants in Bangladesh. ‚They are creations of media.' So the government tried to avoid the responsibility. But on 23 May 2004, the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia ordered to arrest Bangla Bhai, and for the first time the important persons of the government who told about ‚no existence of Militants or Bangla Bhai' became ludicrous!
On 22 January 2005 Bangla Bhai cadres came to Baghmara to kill the popular Awami League leader and UP Chairman Moqbul Hossain Mridha but they faced peoles' resistance. They threw bombs on mob and killed Awami League leader Mahabur Rahman. On this day, by the mass-beatings of furious people, 3 of Banglabhai cadres were killed. After this incidence, on 24 January 2005, the controversial SP of Rajshahi Masud Mia first confessed that ‚there is a Bangla Bhai'! At the same time, Prime Minister again ordered to arrest him. After this order of the Prime Minister, in different places of the country, many Militant-cadres were arrested. From their confessional statements, the names of Bangla Bhai, his spiritual Guru Shayokh Abdur Rahman and his leader, Professor of Rajshahi University, Dr. Muhammad Asadullah Ghalib came out. At the instruction of the highest command of BNP-Jamat government, on 22 February, 2005 at early morning (23 February), Dr. Ghalib and three of his partners, Abdus Samad Salafi, Abdul Latif and Azizullah were arrested. Actually the matter of Banglabhai and Abdur Rahman was kept down. The operation to arrest Banglabhai has been faded away.
On 11 March 2005, the then Rajshahi SP masud Mia was suspended. Later on government fired him on the charges of helping the Militants. On 11 September 2005, from the Police Headquarter Awards were announced for the captures of Bangla Bhai and Shayokh Abdur Rahman. In the same year, 28 September, State Minister of Home declared the amount of this award, 1 Crore for both, 50 lakkhs for each. After much drama, on 1 March 2006, from Shaplabagh Shurja Dighol Bari in Sylhet, Shayokh Rahman surrendered to Police. In the same year on 6 March, Bangla Bhai was arrested in a house in village Rampura of Muktagacha, Mymensingh.
Why Militants' activites were started: For about a decade, the terrorists of so-called Shorbohara in greater Rajshahi have changed the lives of the people to hell!
The government failed to suppress them. Because of the political bankruptcy police has never made an effective operation against the Shorobihara. The Shorbohara terrorists on 7 February 2004 in the evening, in Kamarpara Bazar, Noldanga Upozilla of Natore shot, slaughtered and killed Gama, the Jubodal leader, nephew of Land Deputy Minister. On this ground BNP supporter terrorists raided 31 houses and 15 shops belonged to Awami League leaders-supporters-workers in Kazipara, Noldanga. They plundered all, demolished and set fire. Fire was set through gunpowder. Two other Nephews of Ex Minister Dulu and Jubodal leader Dollar and Dalim led this devastating destructive event by about 200 armed cadres. In that year in February, Shorbohara killed Land Deputy Minister's Nephew and Jubodal leader Gama, his partner Jubodal leader Pakhi of Sadhonpur Puthia and Durgapur BNP leader and Ward Commissiioner Anowar. Pakhi and Anowar were very close the BNP MP Nadim Mostofa. After the nephew of Ex Deputy Land Minister was killed by Shorbohara, to suppress them, Militants were let loose in the battle field, it is heard. At the beginning, they called them as, ‚Dulu Bahini, ‚Gama Bahini', ‚Al-Quaida Bahini', ‚Muslim Rakhsha Parishad', ‚Mujahedin Bangladesh', ‚Harkat ul-Jihad', and other names. Later on they were combined and made operations under the name, ‚Jagroto Muslim Jonota Bangladesh' or JMB. Within few days after their operations against Shorbohara began, people could understand, the actual aim was not to uproot Shorbohara. Soon they were fed up with the miscreants of this new anti-constitution and anti-state activists.
Who is this Bangla Bhai? : Bangla Nhai is name of a ‚panic-maker' in Northbengal. He first appeared to uproot the Shorbohara. But his tortures, oppressions were much more! He is the Chief of Jagroto Muslim Bangladesh and operational Chief of Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB), Bangla Bhai alias Siddiqul Islam (45) s/o Najir Hossain. He is from Gabtali Upozilla, District Bogra, in village Kornipara, Mohishbathan Union.
From the Sartaj Fazil Madrasha of the same Upozilla, he passed Dakhil Examination in 1989, Alim Examination in 1991. He passed B.A. (Hons) in Bengali from the Bogra Azizul Hoq College in 1995 and 1997, got the Masters Degree here. In Lathiganj School and College (Gabtali), he worked as lecturer of Bengali for 3 years. In this time he also directed Retina, Coaching Centre run by Chatrashibir in Bogra Town.
Another source says, as his result was not satisfactory, he started working with the Chatrashibir Coaching centre in Dhaka. His brother Rafikul Islam has done Chatal business in Gerírhat, Gabtoli. Another brother Jahurul Islam ist he teacher of Moksedia Alim Madrasha in Mohishbathan Union. He married the daughter of Chilmanerpara Madrasha Teacher Ibrahim Hossain, Rokeya Begum of Shaghata Village and Upozilla of Gaibandha District. One of his brothers-in-law Omar Faruk is also a teacher of this Madrasha. As student, Banglabhai was active with Chtrashibir politics.
International Militant-connection and Bangla Bhai: He joined the Islamic extreme terrorist group in Dhaka and related with one communal leader and the dreamer of so-called Islamic Revolution, Shayokh Abdur Rahman of Jamalpur. He became a friend of Dr. Professor Muhammad Asadullah-Al-Ghalib. He directed the Motivation and Training Camps in order to create Muslim and Jihadi organisations. The poor youths of villages were recruited. In villages, in the Mosques and Madrashas, organisational and armed trainings were given. Dr. M. Asadullah al-Ghalib, ‚Bangla Bhai', Shayokh Abdur Rahman, Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh, Jagroto Muslim Jonota Bangladesh and Ahle Haduth Movement Bangladesh are all knoted in the same thread. The theory of Dr. Galib is to capture the state power through Jihad. But before that ‚the society must be made uneasy with terrors and violence. People must be poisoned about the present social and state structures.' Taking lessons on this, including Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Bogra, Natore, Chapai Nowabganj, Shatkhira, Sylhet, Jamalpur, Comilla, Jaipurhat in about 60 Districts of Bangladesh, their activities were intensified. They have a big workers group of good organised 50,000 members. With ‚Bagar' or Bangla Bhai-Ghalib and Rahman have relations with Pakistan, Lybiya, Afganistan, Kashmir, Rohinga Refugees-terrorists and with many other fundamentalists and armed organisations of many countries. These three persons arranged millions of foreign money and with this big finance, are trying to impose religious administration upon the people in the name of so-called ‚Islamic Revolution' through directing terrors, bombings, murders-tortures in different places of the country.
It is complained that long 25 years they have organised secretly and only before 8/10 years, they started open terrorism. With the help of the above mentioned 3 persons, with a view to preach and extend Islam in Bangladesh, from the northern Province of India, Abdul Matin Salafi collected fund from Middle East and started to send cash money here through the borders of Chapai Nowabganj and Lalgola India and other borders. It is known as ‚Salafi Movement' in Saudi Arabia but in Bangladesh it is as ‚Ahle Hadith Juboshangha or Jagroto Muslim Jonota (JMB). The same organisation is in India, ‚Jayse Hind' and ‚Jayse Muhammad' Militants in Pakistan. There are informations, they have also connections with Al-Quaida net work. In Bangladesh Army, there are about 3,000 Ghalib-supporters. But Dr. Ghalib and his followers claim that they have no relation with Militancy.
First operation in Nothbengal : Bangla Bhai led an armed fight agaist Police in Puthia 0n 1 August 2003. It happened in Maheshpur village in Khetlal Upozialla, Joypurhat. Babgla Bhai and his followers looted police arms. As Mujahid of Bangladesh of Jamaatul Mujahidin, Bangla Bhai took part in that fight against Police. It was his first operation inside Bangladesh. Here with Jihad-documents, 19 armed cadres of Bangla Bhai were arrested. After few days, while visiting his arrested partners, Bangla Bhai was also arrested.
Bangla Bhai was arrested, but…: on 17th August 2002 in Mollahat, Bagerhat on the charges of tortures on religious minorities and to kill Awami League leader and his daughter, Police arrested Bangla Bhai and his followers. After arrest, he kept his Militant Identity secret and identified himself as a leader of Bangladesh Ahle Hadith Movement and a learned Alim and told his name as Siddikul Islam. He was then 4 weeks in the Bagerhat Prison. But he was released through the recommendations of some BNP-Jamat government's influential Ministers and MPs. Recently, this case was reactivated and a charge sheet was submitted against Bangla Bhai and his followers.
The meeting of Banglla Bhai with SP Masud Mia: On 24 April 2004 morning around 9-30, Bangla Bhai in a white Micro van (Dhaka Metro Cho-11-0411) with 7/8 armed cadres started from Baghmara. In Mohonpur, people attacked the Microbus. They thought the passengers were robbers. Bangla Bhai informed police in wireless of the cadres. Police rushed in and recovered them. At morning 10-30, in the crossing of Rajshahi Bornali, for the second time the bus was attacked by people. In the same way, Bangla Bhai sent message to Alfa-1(Set of Police Commissioner). A special group of RMP Police came and escorted the Bus directly to the office of Police Superintendent. In the office SP Masud Mia, 2 hours close-door Meeting was held. After the sitting, Bangla Bhai returned to Baghmara with the Microbus. Before this day, two nights, a group of Bangla Bhai cadre's patrolled the city in many places with arms.
The Bangla Bhai Armed cadres' attack on Rajshahi: On 23 May, 2004, with thousands of cadres, Bangla Bhai made a parade in Rajshahi. After the armed parade, Militants submitted Memorandum to he then District Commissioner (now Commissioner of Dhaka Division) M. Aziz Hasan, SP Masud Mia and DIG (present IG of Police) Nur Muhammad in the name of 'Jagroto Muslim Jonota Bangladesh.' The Administration gave protections to the armed Militants as honourable guests. The total city became panicky with the armed agitations and assembly of the armed Militants.
What Bangla Bhai and his followers did: They took the law in their hands, caused the reign of terror in the name of controlling the Shorbohara. Some influential MP, Ministers and Police helped them. In the name of JMB, the Militant armed Cadres created a parallel state of tortures and lawlessness. Bangla Bhai, in the name of Shorbohara-suppression, reigned in Baghmara, Puthia, Durgapur of Rajshahi, Noldanga of Natore, Atrai of Naogaon and adjacent areas of these Upozillas. He has announced many so called religious decrees (Fatwa) on the people. Namaj (Prayer) was made compulsory. Even non-Muslims were compelled to pray! Smoking was prohibited; Borqua for women was a must. If anybody defies, he was put to untold tortures. At least 9 ‚torture-camps' were built up. There in the procedures of the Middle East barbarous methods, tortures were done. Any body was doubted as Shorbohara, was brought and his hands and feet were fractured. While torturing, through microphone, the cryings were broadcast, so that public could hear! It was done to break the moral of the common people.
Threatens to kill Journalists and Politicians: Babgla Bhai and his followers had tremendous anger with the journalists. On 23 May 2004, in different Road-corners, Militants organised street meetings and threatened the Journalists of Janakantha, Rajshahi Staff Reporter Anisuzzaman, Jahangir Alam Akash of Deutsce Welle (Freelancer) and Daily Sangbad (staff reporter), local Daily Sonali Sangbad Staff Reporter Mahtab Choudhury, Photo Journalist Selim Jahangir, President of Rajshahi District Awami League and former MP Advocate Tajul Islam Muhammad Faruque and Workers Party Polite Bureau member newly elected MP Fozle Hossain Badshah.
The first GD entry against Bangla Bhai to stop the Militants' killings-oppressions: Personally I am a professional Journalist and Humanrights activist. But as my commitment to the society, on 30 May 2004, I submitted two GD entries against the JMB tortures, oppressions and the forceful contributions-collections and their threats to the Journalists 2 political leaders and murders by the Bangla Bhai and his armed cadres. But Police did not enquire tha cases till today. It is stated in GD, (Baghmara Thana GD No.- 1647, Boalia Than GD No.- 1587, both were dated 30-05-2004), From the 1 April 2004, in greater Rajshahi Area in Baghmara, Atrai, Raninagar, Noldanga (Natore), Durgapur, Puthia and other areas, in the name of so-called subdue of Shorbohara, endless and untold tortures are being committed on the common people. Murder, Rape, Contribution-collection, Plundering of crops and other miscreants are in abundance. Although the state has a democratic government and regular law and order-force authorities, a private armed cadres so called Bangla Bhai armed militants, defying all rules, laws of the country are committing heinous and barbarous tortures. Men are hanged in trees after the torture. People have become panicky with terrible fear of terrors. As per 35 (5) clause of Bangladesh Constitution and as per the Universal Decree of Human rights Para 5, nobody can torture anybody under any circumstances. But the self proclaimed ‚Bangla Bhai' alias Siddikul Islam s/o Najir Hossain alias Shamsher Ali, village: Kornipara, Upozilla: Gabtali, district: Bogra is leading the tortures and persecutions in the name of so-called controlling the Shorbohara, as like as the 1971 black days. From 1 April to this day (GD entry), including one retired Army member, Bangla Bhai through tortures, has killed 10 persons in total. About 200 people have been so far injured.
The armed militants of Bangla Bhai threatened openly to kill 4 journalists and two political leaders of Rajshahi, Tajul Islam Islam Muhammad Faruque, President District Awami League and Fozle Hossain Badsha, Polite Bureau Member of the Workers Party (now member of the Parliament) on 23 May 2004, the day thousands of Bangla Bhai Cadres with lethal weapons entered in the Rajshahi City. This threat was made in the Zero Point where they organised a street meeting. In the GD entry it was mentioned. Except this, in no police station there is any report against Bangla Bhai. Police did make no enquiry of this GD entry.
Statements of the victims: Abdul Jalil (58) the brave Freedom Fighter of Raninagar, tortured by Bangla Vhai fought for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. While this patriot was eating, Bangla Bhai Cadre snatched away the plate from him and beat him mercilessly. He described his story with eyes full of tears. In the same way the night guard of Bheti Madrasha Abdur Razzak (52) was beaten. He was poured with hot water. He said that ‚Allah will punish them.' Handicap Fazlur Rahman said, ‚ in this soil of mother Bangladesh, Bangla Bhai and his followers were hanged to death. But their patrons are still free. They also must be tried. I only want this.' The victim of molestations, Housewife Shafi Nur Nahar said, ‚I first filed a case against the crimes of Bangla Bhai and his cadres. Out of fear, Advocate did not have the courage to take necessary actions for the case. Militant-helper and Godfather SP Masud Mia and all other cadres of Bangla Bhai must be brought to the court.'
Mother of Abu Taleb, Rabeya Bewa of Shajuria village (Baghmara) told about the missing son (after he was abducted by the Militants), ‚Militants of Bangla Bhai took away my son to the house of Ramjan Kaya. I went to Bangla Bhai, he kicked me to the ground. My son cried for water but he was not given even a drop! They also threatened me and my husband to kill. I have searched everywhere. But till today, there is no trace of my son. What shall I eat now? I want justice and compensation. Khodeja Bewa, mother of Mukul said, ‚ In Taherpur High School ground, in the name of Islamic meeting, they took my son away. There he was hanged in the tree and killed. I have heard his cry, during the torture. I want justice.' Militants made Khejur's dead body 4 pieces. Then they were buried under earth. The wife of Khejur said, ‚ at the wink of State Minister Alamgir Kabir took my husband from the house beating. They plundered the money from Paddy-sale and ornaments. My husband's only crime was he was the Reading Room Secretary of Thana Chatraleague. How could Bangla Bhai in broad day light, in presence of Police, kill him? My old father-in-law, my two child daughters, what would happen to them now? Can Militants or their patron Alamgir say where was hall go now? Government made such an armed cadres, that other than killings, they could give nothing. On the 1 October, 2001, in Election Day at Shimba's School, while Alamgir was canvassing, my husband protested. Later on they have made his dead body 4 pieces and took the revenge. Militants now say- we made Khejur 4 pieces, hanged the dead body of Badsha in tree. Nothing has happened. We would be arrested as a part of a drama. Nothing would occur to us. I want ‚hang till death' of Ex state Minister Alamgir Kabir and cadres. ´They are still roaming, why law has not been enforced against them?'
The father of killed Diponkor, Dijendranath of Kashiabari (Atrai) said, ‚I want justice for the killing of my son. I want them to be hanged.' Ismail father of murdered Yasin of Baghmara said,' my son was the member of Awami League. I want justice for his killing. This is my only demand and request.' Mohsin father of Monowar Hossain of Sargatia village of Noldanga who was killed on 1 April 2004 by Bangla Bhai himself, said, ‚ my son was a student of Taherpur Degree College and worker of Chatra league. The cadres of Minister Dulu (Deputy Minister Ruhul Quddus Dulu) not only killed my son, they also demolished and plundered my house. I with all my family members were threatened to be killed. After 1 October 2001 election Dulu cadres tried twice my son to kill. But I got no justice. I want now the justice form y son's murder and compensation.' Child daughter Farjana of the Rtd. Army member killed Sk. Farid of Bhonpara (Atrai) said, ‚my father was innocent. Why Bangla Bhai and his local cadres killed him? I want justice.' Wife of Sk. Farid Laili Begum said, ‚ nine cadres and Bangla Bhai tortured my husband for 3 hours. And they killed him. I want justice.' School teacher Mahmud Musa brother of Abdul Kayyum Badshah of Shafikpur Raninagar who was, after killing, hanged upside down in a tree by the road of Bamon village, of Bhatra Union, Nandigram, Bogra, said, ‚ on October 2001, Bangla Bhai did write a scandalous chapter of Bangladesh. We saw a new model of tortures-oppressions that time. We are the victims of the persecutions of Infamous Shayokh Abdur Rahman and JMB. We have law and order, Police, RAB, Army, BDR, then why a private Army was let loose on us? After kidnapping, my brother was taken to Bashbaria Camp. He was killed there. But Police did not yet search that Camp. The Camp is still active. They announced the trial and slaughter of Badshah through miking, and then he was killed. What a country we have, what law we have? I went to the then SP Fazlur Rahman and told if my brother was a criminal, arrest him, try him and if necessary hang him.SP said, this is the order of the political High Command. We can't do anything. I want the hangings of Bangla Bhai, Shayokh Rahman and their patrons. In our area still now who roam with heads high, they threat us, they are to be arrested and tried. I want the punishments of Militant Godfather Ministers and MPs.
Case Study: The poor peasant Fazlur Rahman (45) of village Hasanpur, Dippur Union (Baghmara) is now handicap and walks with scratch. To feed 3 daughters, father Fazlu now beg from door to door as he cannot physically work. His body in different places is attacked gangrene as he can't treat because of poverty. He is living with unbearable pains. Those have made him so, many of them were tried but others are still free. They are threatening him to withdraw the case. They say, otherwise, they would kill all family members. Following the family conflicts for land, the rivals went to Bangla Bhai and told Fazlur Rahman was a Shorbohara leader. Famous torture-expert cadres of Bangla Bhai took forcibly Fazlu to the Hamirkutsha Torture Camp. It happened on 20 April 2004. Around 11, the wife of Fazlu Josna Banu (38) was going to the local Health Centre with daughter and mother-in-law. In this time, Afzal, Akram, Amjad Nazrul Islam Nozu, Sharifuddin, Kamran, Abdul Jalil, Saiful Islam, Siddikur Rahman, Manju and other 20/25 Militant cadres took Fazlu to Bangla Bhai. On 19th April, the cadres attacked his house, robbed and messed up.
Awami League supporter Fazlur Rahman said, ‚ on the night around 9-00 a.m. Bangla Bhai demanded from me 2 lacs of Taka as ransom. He said; if you want to live, pay. I said, I have no capacity to pay. If I am a criminal, please try me. I was beaten on shoulder with a Hockey stick. I fell on the ground. I was tied in hands and feet and hanged up. Other than Bangla Bhai, another 10/12 cadres beat me with Hockey stick, Iron rod, Bambo-baton indiscriminately. My hands and feet were broken.' On 23 April as plaintiff lodged a case in Baghmara Thana (case no. – 22 dated 23/04/04) against the Militants. Police made Charge sheet only in the names of Sharif and Nazrul, omitting others. Against this Charge sheet, in the first class Magistrate's court a ‚not-agree' application was submitted. Court has granted it. Fazlu complained that the defendants are threatening regularly to withdraw the case. Otherwise with all family members, he will be killed. Later in a newly filed case, Minister Aminul Hoq, BNP leader Shish Muhammad and some other Militants were sentences. Fazlur Rahman informed that because of handicap, he could not do any work. He was to maintain his family with the help of others. But how long? Before Fazlur Rahman, there is only darkness.
Sheikh Farid, is a retired Corporal of the Army. His father late Sk. Nasiruddin was a freedom fighter and an active leader of Awami League. He was elected as UP member and Chairman of Bonpara Union. He was very popular. Before the day of occurrence, for few days from local mosque's mike, all Shorobohara members had been asked to surrender within next 26 April 2004 at the ground of Bhabanipur School unconditionally. Sk Touhidul Karim (46), elder brother of Sk. Farid informed that his brother was never related to Shorbohara. His neighbours, enemies in disguise of friends took him to the School ground with the tricks that they altogether would observe the surrenders. But Farid received one call in his Mobile. JMB leaders beat him with Hockey stick and Iron rod. About 15 minutes they continued the torture. Villagers took him to the Atrai Health Centre. From there he was taken to the Rajshahi Hospital. On the 1 May 2004 he died there. After talking with Sk Farid Family and local persons, it is known that Farid was the victim of political conspiracy of local BNP and Jamat leaders and workers. They were all members of Shorbohara in the past.They are now under the leadership of Bangla Bhai, members of JMB. To keep clean the ways of the BNP-Jamat leadership for the next 9th Parliament election, they had removed the thorn, Sk. Farid with the help of Bangla Bhai. The cousin of Sk. Farid, Headmaster of Bhonpara High School, Sk. Sirajul Islam said that the Jamat-supporters, through bribery, had arranged his killings by the Bangla Bhai cadres. Family members knew the names who had killed him in broad day light through heinous tortures. But nobody wanted to utter out of fear. The future of 16 year old son Al-Amin and 13 year daughter Farzana of killed Sk. Farid is now before an uncertain destruction.
No progress in case enquiry, the commander of the torture camp has not been arrested: Most of the local comanders of torture camps of Bangla Bhai are not still arrested. No progess is on the torture, murder and kidnap cases. Plaintiff of the most cases are Police. The oppressed family members had no courage go to the Police and file cases. The Rajshahi Range Police, Rajshahi and Naogaon District Police or the officer's in-charges of Baghmara, Atrai and Raninagor could not inform about the latest progress of the enquiries. In many killing cases, the police have filed cases against the victims! In Hamirkutsha village of Baghmara, the first torture camp of Bangla Bhai was founded. It was in the house of infamous Rajakar Ramjan Kaya. Through this camp the torture-programme was started. The Court of Bangla Bhai was in the Camp. As per the judgments, convicted were tortured. Some were killed, others were made handicaps, hands and feet of some were fractured. Most of the victims were hanged in the tree or by the ceilings of room and then flogged. Bangla Bhai lived in this camp and supervised all the activities. After few days in village Atgram (Atrai) another Torture Camp was established by the side of the police station. Hemayet Hossain Himu and Nazrul Islam were the directors of this Camp. It was in the house of Abdus Salam, brother of Bangla Bhai. The third Cam was in Gulia Gram (Atrai) by the side of Jagodish High School. Commander was the Ex Chatrashibir leader and teacher of the School, Abul Hossain.
From the published information, it is learnt that now Abul Hossain is the General Secretary of the Atrai Upozilla Zia Council. By the side of the Police outpost in Borogacha (Raninagar) in Bashbaria village at the house of Khabir Refugee, the commander of the Torture Camp was Ex Nakshal leader Habibur Rahman Hobi and local BNP leader Montu Daktar. The 5th Camp was in Jamgram (Atrai). The 6th was in Raninagar Bhiti Madrasha ground. Later on this Camp was used as the Bangla Bhai and his cadres' Headquarter. Shayokh Abdur Rahman was personally present here and supervised the trials and tortures here. In Rajshahi and Natore, there were 9 Camps. For the security of the camps, Police was responsible. Recently Ramjan Kaya has been arrested on the charges of kidnapping.
What Bangla Bhai said: Bangla Bhai said during his operation, ‚to suppress the Shorbohara, ‚I am in the movement with the common people. Till Shorbohara is totally vanished, our operations will go on. JMB members are not torturing anybody. Shorboharas are the victims of ‚peoples-anger! We rescue from the furious people and then handover to the police. Land state Minister Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, SP Masud Mia, many other big political leaders of Rajshahi and Police Officers are very happy with our activities.' On the 3rd May 2004, while Bangla Bhai gave a Press Conference for some Journalists in a house at RamRama village, Hamirkutsha Union (Bagmara), SP Masud mia arranged his protection. On the 9th May 2004, in Bagmara, Rajshahi, Bangla Bhai introduced Shayokh Abdur Rahman as his spiritual Guru. The victims of this area know that before the hangings to deaths, Bangla Bhai and Shayokh Abdur Rahman wanted to talk with Media. But the Army controlled, angel like interim government did not allow it. Conscious people think, if they were presented to the Media before their deaths, including the identities of the background patrons, Godfathers of Militants and many other unknown facts would come out. The victims demand to the 'democratic' government of Sk. Hasina, the Godfathers and helpers of Bangla Bhai and Shayokh Abdur Rahman, the Ex Ministers, Ex Mayor, ex MPs, Police Officers, District Administration and local Militants must all be brought to book. At the same time, due compensations are to paid to the families of victims.
Jahangir Alam Akash
Editor
The Human Rights Today
[email protected]
http://jaakash.wordpress.com/
http://youtube.com/user/jaakashbd
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