Advisor of military backed interim government admits corruption
Most controversial advisor in the military backed interim government in Bangladesh; Barrister Moinul Hussain has admitted corruption and irregularities. According to vernacular daily Amader Shomoy, Moinul has indirectly made confessional statements on various allegations brought against him in a letter sent to newspapers in the country.
Series of allegations on various forms of corruption, nepotism and irregularities are becoming public in recent weeks against this man. It may be mentioned here that, during the rule of interim government, while most of the newspapers, including Amader Shomoy were busy in praising the government and people like Barrister Moinul, Weekly Blitz was the only newspaper, which serialized several reports on his corruption and nepotism.
It may be mentioned here that, Moinul Hussain appointed Syed Tosharraf as his official staff in the ministry violating rule. According to government rules, no one can hold any official position if he or she continues to hold any other profitable position in the country. But, Syed Tosharraf was equally holding the position of editor of Weekly Robber [a vernacular newsmagazine published by Moinul's wife] while he served as the official staff of Moinul in the ministry receiving salary and other benefits from the national exchequer.
Moinul's son was busy in getting a broadcast license for a private television channel using his father's influence being the advisor in charge of information ministry. Moinul Hussain prepared a list of 1608 journalists and writers in Bangladesh terming them as 'non journalist' and instructed the Press & Information Department to refrain from issuing press accreditation cards in their favor. It is learnt that, Moinul took this initiative at the suggestion of some of his close aides and sycophants to undermine the image of some leading journalists and reporters in the country.
Barrister Moinul Hussain, while commenting on the assassination of Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto [hours after her assassination] told Bangladeshi media that, Bangladesh was not a party in war on terror. He harshly criticized Pakistan's joining the war on terror and combating Islamist militancy.
Although the military backed interim government demolished several buildings in the country with the allegation of construction without permission, Barrister Moinul's commercial complex at Dhaka's Kakrail area named 'Musafir Tower' was left untouched, despite the fact that this building was construction without any permission from the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strictly instructed her party leaders to refrain from making any comments against post 1/11 [January 11, 2007] interim government as well as the former army chief General Moin U Ahmed. It was already rumored that the interim government and the former chief of army was serving the purpose of Awami League and played key role in bringing this party in power through 'digital rigging' of votes. Sheikh Hasina also many a times admitted in public that the military backed interim government was a result of their movement against the then elected government.
With the exposure of corruption of several advisors in the interim government as well as Prime Minister's 'interesting' instructions to her party-men, law and order situation in Bangladesh is in its ever worst state. On Friday [June 26, 2009] three businessmen were killed in broad day light by the members of professional extortionist group at Dhaka's Kawranbazar commercial area.
According to media reports, extortionists mostly sheltered by the ruling party demanded TK. 200,000 [US$ 3,000] from the fruit merchants of Kawranbazar area. The matter was immediately brought into the attention of law enforcing agencies as well as Rapid Action Battalion [RAB]. But, none of the law enforcing agencies ever took any steps in either nabbing the terrorists or even giving protection to the traders. As a result, the killers came in a van on Friday noon and mercilessly murdered three businessmen thus injuring another one and left the spot without any hassle.
Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun repeatedly admitted that law and order situation in the country was quickly deteriorating. She warned the members of law enforcing agencies to remain vigilant against any form of crime in the country. Despite such warnings from the minister, there is no sign of any improvement of the situation. Rather, the entire country is gradually going inside grips of terrorists, extortionists and hooligans, most of who belong to the ruling party itself.
SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY
Journalist, Columnist, Author & Peace Activist
Skype: shoaibnoca
Editor & Publisher, Weekly Blitz www.weeklyblitz.net