Can they keep Bangladesh safe?

This is not an isolated incident of grievous nature, which has evoked country wide condemnation. As a spectator from abroad, I have been watching with concern the series of bomb blasts and killings of political opponents and businessmen all over the country. There has been apparently no positive action initiated by the present ruling government of BNP-Jamat alliance to stop the killings of people irrespective of party affiliation. The recent attempt on the life of British High Commissioner in Sylhet is the glaring example of increasing incidents of bomb blasts in the country. A bomb was targeted at the British High Commissioner on May 21 when he was leaving the sacred shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal after offering prayer. Was it not a heinous attempt on the life of British High Commissioner, who happens to be born in Sylhet? In fact, the British High Commissioner being of Bengali origin, we should feel proud of him in Bangladesh. Investigation into this incident suggests that Islamic militant groups had a hand in such bomb blasts.

Providing security to the people belonging to any creed, caste, or colour, according to the constitutional provision, is the responsibility of the government in power. Failure to stop unabated rise of bomb blasts and killings implies that the ruling government has no plan effective enough to seize with the challenging task of apprehending culprits.

Similar law and order situation existed during the five year rule of Awami League before the election took place in 2001. BNP's election pledge was that law and order in the country would remain a top priority and would be brought under control if BNP was voted to power. Unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated from bad to worse with the assumption of power by BNP in collusion with Jamat-e-Islam. It was the prime responsibility of the ruling government to ensure security to the country's citizens. No amount of negligence in respect of providing security to the people will be tolerated by the taxpayers. It is really amazing to note that, being the number one corrupt country, Bangladesh has now been elevated to the rank of terrorist country. The government may seek the help of Interpol in unearthing different groups' activities in the country as the local intelligence agencies failed to solve the problem

It is an open secret that both major political parties have been maintaining their goons in the party. Unless both parties denounce their association with their goons it is difficult to control the situation in the country.

There is a need to call round table meeting of all political parties to hold open discussion on the situation, and suggestions emerged from the meeting should be immediately implemented in the interest of the country.

Reports published in foreign media suggest that such attacks are on the increase as a result of the present government's leniency towards Islamic militant groups in Bangladesh. Apart from these kinds of attacks, there are recurring reports of hauls of foreign-made arms and ammunition, including the latest seizure of smuggled weapons in Chittagong port in south-eastern Bangladesh. According to security sources, the smuggled weapons were destined for a third country.

It could be to India's north-eastern region bordering Bangladesh where a large number of secessionist rebel groups are in operation. These groups are in operation in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura. India has been accusing Bangladesh of providing safe sanctuary to secessionist groups such as the United Liberation Front of Assam, the Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur, National Liberation Front of Tripura, and The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland. According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, there are over 90 terrorist training camps on Bangladesh soil. Bangladeshdenies these allegations.

Similarly, Bangladesh accuses India of supporting the Bongo Bhumi (Independent Bengal) movement, which aims at creating a separate Hindu state within Bangladesh. Accusation and counter accusation will not solve the problem between the two neighbouring countries. Amnesty International says Bangladeshi militants are terrorising the country's Hindu minority group while India's BJP has been accused of organising anti-Muslim riots to intimidate Indian Muslims, which comprises 12 percent of the population. Although BJP lost the election, Hindu nationalism remains a potent force in India. There is an urgent need to sit at the table and discuss this problem immediately to have peaceful life for the people of both countries. The Indian government's recent proposal of joint operation needs to be studied to take urgent action to stop recurring bomb blasts. Without India's cooperation it might be a difficult task to tackle this growing menace.

The emergence of a militant group in the north-west of the country by the name Jagrata Muslim Janata (JMJ) is another glaring example of growing Islamic militant group. The government's indifferent attitude towards unjustified and illogical demands by militant groups to declare Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslim has also encouraged militants to gather strength.

We may recall in this connection the cancellation of the visit of President Bill Clinton during Awami League regime to national monument in Savar to lay wreath to show honour to the war of liberation as the US security personnel pointed to the risk involved.

As of now, no top leader of a militant group has been arrested nor has any clue been unearthed as to why so many killings are taking place. A large number of intelligence agencies are working in the country. It is amazing to note that no intelligence agency has succeeded in apprehending the leader of any militant group. In view of this growing menace, there is a clear need to overhaul intelligence agencies and to strengthen their operational capacity by providing equipment needed to operate such exercises. Intelligence agency official should be provided with proper training at Interpol and Scotland Yard police headquarters in England.

As a matter of fact, there should be coordination among the agencies. Apart from overhauling, it is felt that law enforcing agencies should be given enough power to arrest culprits on the basis of intelligence reports, and no amount of lobbying in favour of suspected criminals should be entertained by any law enforcing agency. The court will decide the case on the basis of proven evidence. No political element, including the ruling party or official of the law enforcing agencies, will be permitted to intervene in such arrests. There should be provision for cash award for efficiency in apprehending culprits. Disciplinary action leading to jail should be instituted against officials of the law enforcing agencies including Superintendent of Police for negligence of duty or inefficiency in performing duty.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain is a former diplomat.