Bangladesh Fails To Stop Extra-Judicial Killings: Human Rights

By BOB Goswami

BANGLADESH NEWS - The elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been blamed for series of human right violation, executing extra-judicial killing in the past few years. Human Rights Watch says.

However, Bangladesh's government has strongly dismissed the allegation. The report has unveiled a surprising analysis, saying 200 people have been killed in RAB operations since the new Awami League government leads the nation.

The report also blamed the government for not being proactive against RAB officers or official, who haven't yet received a single punishment award for the killings and gross human rights abuses. However, the government earlier committed that it would see the matter seriously and prosecuted the guilty.

The report also highlighted British forces trained some RAB members, which also confirmed WikiLeaks report. However, British official said it mainly focused on improving interviewing techniques, crime detection methods and investigations.

In its defense, the government says the Rapid Action Battalion acts against criminal activities and death resulted during shoot-outs between law enforcers and criminals.

Manzurul Alam's brother-in-law was shot in 2009, who had no criminal record in police stations.

"Only the RAB personnel told us that he was a criminal. Until now they can't produce any evidence whatsoever... We are still waiting for justice. We are now hopeless," - Manzurul Alam.

Nowadays, RAB officers are ubiquitous in Bangladesh's street dressed in black and fashioned with a bandannas tied around their heads.

Over the years they have developed a ruthless reputation of being reducing crimes and proactive force against Islamist militancy.

Bangladesh: man executed in Sylhet

March 3, 2011: Robi Munda, 60, from Habiganj, was executed in Sylhet Central Jail in Bangladesh for killing Nandalal Jhara with an axe in February 2000.

Habiganj District and Sessions Judge AKM Ishtiaq Hossain sentenced Munda and his father Amar Singh Munda to death on September 24, 2003, the high court upholding the verdict. Munda's clemency petition was rejected on February 13, 2011.

Amar Singh died of old age complications, while in Sylhet jail, five years ago.

Source: Daily Star, March 4, 2011

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10th Cricket World Cup Inaugurates In Dhaka

By BOB Goswami

BANGLADESH NEWS - Cricket-crazy south Asia has witnessed a grand, exotic and colorful ceremony when the 10th Cricket World Cup has inaugurated following a $30m (£18.6m) opening ceremony in Bangladesh. The 14 countries have participated in the tournament and all captains were paraded in Bangladesh traditional and most ubiquitous vehicle rickshaws around the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka. There were about 3,500 performers who had demonstrated local cultures and different other programs.

The program was also entertained by famous Indian singer Sony Nigam, Bangladesh-based Runa Laila and Canadian rock singer-songwriter Bryan Adams.

The first match will be hosted by a modern stadium in Mirpur where host Bangladesh will fight against favorites India.

The tournament will be continued for six-week with 49 matches hosting by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Of the original four host nations, Pakistan was forced to withdraw over security fears.

The grand ceremony was more of an aerial cricket match where high flying acrobats hit and chased a laser-beamed ball against a vertical backdrop of a pitch. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hoped that the games would provide a good entertainment to people and memorable event.

The often messy Dhaka roads were quite light on Thursday as the government declared a half-day public holiday so that people could return back in time and watch the opening ceremony.

It is noted that Bangladesh has considerable marked its presence in cricket world in recent years with number of wins against top cricketing nations and that has helped stage the ceremony for the first time. The world cup features 8 matches in Bangladesh, 12 in Sri Lanka and 29 in India, including 2 April final, in Mumbai.

Bangladeshi national executed in Saudi Arabia

December 22, 2010: Saudi Arabia beheaded Bangladeshi national Kirun Abdelghani in Jeddah province for murdering a fellow Bangladeshi Ogel Dali by hitting him on his head with metal scissors and then stealing his money, the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency.

Source: Agence France Presse, December 22, 2010

Bangladesh On High Alert As Anthrax Cases Spread

By BOB Goswami

BANGLADESH NEWS - The anthrax cases in Bangladesh has been spreading at an alarming rate that put health officials on their toes. It is reported that north of country has worst affected by the disease where more than 300 people are already infected.

About the 150 cattle have already infected by the diseases and indirectly transferred to human by ingesting the diseased cattle.

According to an official, this is the worst-ever outbreak in the history of country. The government has already issued order to single out the diseased cows.

From last one month official report says about 327 people have been infected with anthrax. The northern five districts have been affected by the disease. In a worst scenario it would have been spread to other two district in a short period if proper measures are not taken.

"We have issued a red alert and asked livestock officials, civil surgeons and health workers to fan out to detect sick cows and cull them immediately," the Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Abdul Latif Biswas, said.

Around 500,000 ampules of cattle vaccine were distributed to affected area.

Anthrax is a deadly disease that spread from livestock. The virus lives in the soil and spread especially during or after the monsoon.