The years of misrule by military autocrats and anti-liberation forces dominated BNP rule facilitated creation of a corrupt, opportunists syndicate in Bangladesh. This evil group owns media, banks, insurance, business, universities and education institutions. Millions of dollars this syndicate siphoned out of the country in one hand from Bangladesh and on the other hand international terrorist organizations and their sponsors pumped in money for Bangladeshi terrorist organizations and a group of so called intellectuals. Consequently massive ill motivated propaganda in foreign countries and at home in print and electronic media confused the new generation about real history of liberation war and real heroes.
Foreign mission of Bangladesh, especially politically favored diplomats, also failed to project the good sincere efforts of Bangladesh. The war criminals, anti-liberation forces exploiting this situation could greatly harm Bangladesh reputation as a secular democratic country. During the period from 2007-2008 some advisors of the interim caretaker government tried to improve the situation.
As some controversial senior armed forces personnel cared less about the establishment of good governance and rule of law the efforts of the better group of Caretaker Government’s advisors could not be institutionalized. Yet the creation of Voter ID and cleansing of voter list of huge fake voters were milestone achievement.
Period from 2009-2013
The General election 2008 witnessed landslide victory for Sheikh Hasina led government of grand alliance. She formed a young cabinet of mostly fresh members keeping the more seniors and veteran politicians at bay. She also engaged ex-bureaucrats as her advisors for key activities in addition to Ministers. Government had to plan and undertake several milestone projects to confront diabolic energy crisis, deteriorating law and order situation, combating anarchy and terrorism. The young cabinet of PM Hasina achieved some success in many areas but failed in others. The success stories were over shadowed by failures and for lack of positive publicity.
The losers kept on conspiring against the government. Within a month of government formation a major incident at Peelkhana BDR HQ led to loss of over 70 very well trained quality Army Officers. The plan of the plotters were to create civil war like situation as any drastic action of armed forces against BDR mutineers in the thickly populated Peelkhana area could trigger disaster killing thousands and destroying properties. During the crisis PM Hasina remained calm and handled the situation as a very matured statesperson. She had the courage to go and meet disgruntled army officers in Dhaka Cantonment. However, trial of the mutineers witnessed punished of several persons. But there must be further probe to unmask the plotters and mastermind.
Government executed verdict of the highest judiciary of the killers of Bangabandhu who were in custody and initiated process to bring back the other fugitives at large in different countries. Government also destroyed all hide outs and training centers of terrorists and separatist organizations of Indian states around Bangladesh.
The investigation and trial process of major incidents like 21 August Bangabandhu Avenue Carnage, State sponsored attempted Arms transit to Tripura Separatists resumed in right direction. All these were done side by side to major development activities for regenerating economy. Many milestone achievements were made and few projects failed to achieve target. Bangladesh could successfully resolve some long standing disputes with neighbors. The long standing maritime boundary dispute in the Bay of Bengal with Myanmar could be resolved. Significant advancement made in Teesta Water Sharing and exchange of border enclaves. These balls are now on Indian court.
One of the major endeavor of the government got road blocked from corruption allegation. World Bank withdrew from a Major Project for alleged perceived corruption before even spending a single penny. Penetrated agents of anti-liberation forces and opportunist activists in student front and youth front of ruling party through toll collection and tender manipulations brought disrepute to the government.
Government set up ICT and started trial of War Criminals of 1971 in accordance with the election pledge. Ignoring the hue and cry of national and International masters of anti-liberation forces many leading War Criminals got arrested and trial process continued without any interference of the government. People can raise question about competence of the team of prosecution but there cannot be any complaint about sincerity. Beneficiaries and agents of War Criminals started propaganda in national and international media and social media. Huge money was invested in engaging lobbyist to try and barricade the trial process. Despite all these for uncompromising commitment of Sheikh Hasina the process continued.
The first major shock of War Criminal trial rocked the nation when a known killer and notorious war criminal Quader Mollah (known as Quader Koshai) was awarded life term imprisonment. Youths of Bangladesh hurriedly set up a Ganojagoron Moncho.
Millions spontaneously gathered at Shahabagh area. It rekindled the spirit of liberation war especially among the new generation. Government could understand the limitation of ICT rule, got it amended and in review after appeal Kader got death penalty which was executed. PM Hasina got advice from US Secretary of States and UN Secretary General against execution of death sentence which she rightly regretted. Upto this point the works initiated by Ganojagoron Moncho was admirable.
The verdicts of few other allegedly notorious criminals were announced. The death sentence verdict against Delwar Hossain Sayedee witnessed country wide violent agitation by Jamaat-Shibir terrorists. Lives were lost, properties were destroyed. Mainstream opposition BNP aligned its so called movement for restoration of Neutral Caretaker Government with the violent movement of Jamaat-Shibir. PM Hasina and her government handle the situation with great restraint. Ghulam Azam, Ali Ahsan Mujaheed, Kamaruzzaman, Salauddin Qauder Chowdhury verdicts were announced. The review of all these are at different stages of disposal. Within the humble means and capacity, the government is endeavoring everything to make the trial process fair and transparent.
To be continued
BDST: 1206 HRS, SEP 20, 2014
