Friday, April 11, 2008

[vinnomot] Baitul Mukarrom showing sign of Lal Masjid of Pakistan

There is every reason for people with conscious to be worried about which direction our country is moving toward. In absence of caretaker governments inability to handle Isalmist bigots is creating an atmosphere where people have to take the law into their own hand to challenge mullah's plan to turn our country a backward state of Taliban.

Jamaat-e-Islami lead terrorist are burning not just the cars and motorcycle and beating police they put prayer rugs of Baitul Mukarrom on fire. Mercilessly beat Muslim devotees who went to the mosque for prayer. It happened not just in Dhaka but in Chittagong too. Followers of Islami Chatro Shibir the student wing of Jamaat-e_Isalmi attacked police station and a mosque without any provocation.

Three members of Islamist outfits beat up a policeman, two with the snatched shotgun and helmet while the other with a bamboo stick, after the cop fell behind his retreating colleagues who chased the agitators near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday. Photo: STAR

Baitul Mukarrom mosque, showing sign of what happened with Lal Masjid of Pakistan. Baitul Mukarrom is no longer a place of worship but a den of fanatic terrorist led by Jamaat-E-Isalmi . This is out national mosque and we must claim it back.

I will ask civil society, forward looking political organization, women's right organization, Islamic organization, especially Sector Commanders Forum to declare Baitul Mukarrom our national mosque free of terrorist. Call for a especial National Prayer Session in Baitul Mukarrom and return the mosque to Muslim devotees. Take oath to fight one last time to free this country from religious bigots. These are the same people who killed our brother, sisters, fathers and mother in 1971 in the name of Islam. These are the same people who raped our women and handed them to brutal Pakistani military force as Maal-e-goni-mat.

Progressive political parties have to take a stand on this issue; nation wants to know where they stand. If they fail to take a stand in favor of fifty percent population of the country then they have no right to ask out vote.

Civil Society irrespective of creed, gender, religious belief and political identity have to make demand similar to what Sector Commanders Forum pressed that political party declare that they will not associate with religious bigots and will pass women's equal right act if they voted to power. I will urge the civil society to boycott any political entities that will not come forward in favor of women's equal right.

Where is our Nobel Laureate Dr. Younus? His Nobel peace prize is a direct result of our deprived women's. He could not win this prize without he women's effort, why he is not talking? Unfortunately he never ever took stand on any issue that our country faces. When peace of the country was falling apart because of dummy president Dr. Iajuddin's illegal anti constitutional stand, it was Dr. Younus who came out to support him and asked Iajuddin not to listen to anyone and go forward with secret blue print election. I hope at least once in a life time Dr. Younus will come out of his egg shell and stand beside the people.

Where half of the population is women who the mullahs are to stop women's equal right?

It is the woman who earns the maximum foreign currency of the country giving their sweet and blood working 12 + hour shift in a garments industry, who are these people who wants to stop them from their legitimate equal right?

It is the women, who makes her all out effort in agro economy and it is because of women farmers our agriculture sector is flourishing day by day. Male farmers only farms on the other hand the female farmers not just farms but takes care of wellbeing of entire family, who are the mullahs to stop that forward march.

Every citizen who believes in Bangladesh, every citizen who believes in the constitution of the country has to abide by it. Our constitution gives the equal right to its entire citizen. Bangladesh government who took oath under this constitution has to abide by it upheld it and protects it from anyone who wants to destroy it. If they fail to protect the constitution which we received with the sacrifice of millions of mutterers then surely we will fight on their behalf to protect it.

Wake of son's of mothers, protest who wants your mother's right to be revoked in the name of religion. Mother who kept you with her love in her womb for nine months this is your time to return her not favor but her right. Fight until your last breath for your own mother and sisters right which ultimately will protect your rights too.

Let us walk together out of darkness toward the light

With a sincere hope for victory of truth and justice over untruth and injustice

Shamim Chowdhury

Maryland, USA

Date: April 11, 2008

Islamist activists throw stones during a clash with the police in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka on Friday.
— New Age photo

Islamist activists throw stones during a clash with the police in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka on Friday.
— New Age photo

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW

Saturday, April 12, 2008 04:41 AM GMT+06:00

Click here for Printer Friendly Version

Front Page

Second Day of Protest in Baitul Mukarram Area

Violent clashes with cops leave 200 hurt

Shotgun looted by activists found in mosque compound

Staff Correspondent

Three members of Islamist outfits beat up a policeman, two with the snatched shotgun and helmet while the other with a bamboo stick, after the cop fell behind his retreating colleagues who chased the agitators near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday. Photo: STAR
Hundreds of Islamist activists clashed with police for hours on the second day of violent protests in the city's Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area yesterday, leaving over 200 people injured.

Police used batons and fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to break up demonstrations against the recently announced national women development policy in defiance of the state of emergency.

At least 52 policemen and five journalists were among the injured.

Some 17 people were arrested in connection with the clashes. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mazharul Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Motijheel zone last night said they filed a case accusing over 100 people of assault on police and looting firearms.

An intelligence official requesting not to be named told The Daily Star that they have already identified those inciting violence. "We have suggested that the government take a tough line against them," he added.

Eyewitnesses said violence broke out at around 1:35pm, minutes after Jum'a prayers when police barred a procession coming from the north gate of the mosque. Incensed, the other members of the radical Islamist outfits who were preparing to join the march began throwing projectiles at the law enforcers.

As chase and counter-chase continued for hours, hundreds of those who went to the mosque for Friday prayers became trapped inside.

At around 3:00pm, some demonstrators caught a policeman cut off from his colleagues and beat him up. They snatched his shotgun and broke it up into pieces, said the media cell of DMP.

Earlier, some 50 people were wounded in Thursday's fight between the Islamist groups and law enforcers.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed announced the National Women Development Policy-2008 on March 8, causing a firestorm of protests among Islamist organisations.

Since then, some radical groups have been claiming that the policy gives equal inheritance rights to men and women, while the government maintained there is no such provision.

In efforts to scotch the discontent, four advisers of the caretaker government on March 27 met Islamic leaders and formed a review committee headed by the acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

A report by the committee is due by April 16. But some Islamic groups including Ahkam-e-Shariah Hifajat led by Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Anti-Quran Law Resistance Committee of Allama Azizul Huq Shaikhul Hadith, Islamic Law Implementation Committee led by Islami Oikya Jote's Fazlul Huq Amini and Chhatra Jamiat Andolon of Maulana Muhiuddin Ahmed opted not to wait and launched violent street agitation Thursday.

A huge number of students from madrasas across the city took part in the pitched battles with police yesterday. They acted on instructions from their teachers who were staying inside the mosque, said the eyewitnesses.

After around four hours of fighting, areas like Purana Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection, Bangabandhu Avenue, Gulistan and national stadium were littered with brickbats as smog from tear gas hung heavily over them.

The agitators launched attacks on the police from every corner of Baitul Mukarram and took shelter inside whenever police went on a counter-offensive. They took bricks off under-construction structures on the mosque premises and split those into pieces to hurl at police.

Around 1,500 law enforcers in riot gear struggled all along to control the crowds.

At one stage, rumours spread that three of the protesters were killed, adding fuel to the agitation.

To escape tear gas, both the law enforces and agitators burned carpets of the mosque, woods, furniture of several street side stalls and papers making the air heavier and adding to the sufferings.

The marchers chanted slogans demanding resignation of Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury and the interim government.

The injured policemen were admitted to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital while journalists, pedestrians and protesters received treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and various private medical facilities.

DMCH sources said 22 madrasa students were admitted there.

Monirul Islam and Hasan Raja of Prothom Alo, Abu Taher Khokon of New Age, and Belal Hossain of Ekushey TV--all photographers--were badly injured.

Of the policemen wounded, condition of inspector Selimuzzaman, Sergeant Israfil, Sub-Inspector Kamrul, and constables Belayet, Enamul, Emdad, Kamrul, Monir, Kabir, Shafique, and Sarwar was stated critical, according to the DMP media cell.

An official of the cell told The Daily Star last night that during the clashes, police shot 312 tear gas shells and 243 rounds of rubber bullets.

DMP (Motijheel) DC Mazharul Islam said, "They attacked first, forcing us to retaliate with baton-charge and tear gas."

He said at least 35 platoons were engaged to disperse the agitators till 3:30pm.

Meanwhile, Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Fazlul Haque Amini at a press conference at Purana Paltan in the afternoon alleged that police attacked them without provocation.

He claimed that more than 100 of their workers were injured in the clashes.

"We called a rally to drum up support for the anti-Quran rules," he added.

Amini also said, "If our demands are not met, the fire ignited today [yesterday] will spread like wildfire across the country."

Asked about mosaic stones taken off the mosque's wall, he said he was not aware of it.

Related Stories
Call for calm, solving crisis thru'talks
Madrasa students go on rampage, storm Hathazari police station
Second day bigots battle with cop

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[vinnomot] Asian dark cloud will reduce food production in South Asia by 30%

Ancient Egypt, the first greatest civilization on Earth was destroyed by change in environment in 400BC-behind the fall of many civilization, change in environment played critical role. With sharp rise in food price in South Asia, more bad news are pouring in--acidity of rain fall is increasing due to suspended CO2 aerosols in the 2 mile thick darkcloud floating on Indian subcontinent--Bangladesh and Eastern India will be worst hit by increasing acidity of rain fall.

I am looking for a expert who can speak on this topic in Fosaac Radio. Please contact me in biplabpal2000@yahoo.com

##############

ACID rain will devastate the ecology of a sizable chunk of Asia within 20 years unless China invests huge amounts of money to control air pollution from its coal-fired power plants, says an international team of scientists.

Experts agree that as China's economy develops, its demand for energy will increase dramatically, and much of that energy will probably come from the country's abundant coal reserves. However, coal-fired power plants and industrial boilers spew out large amounts of sulphur dioxide, one of the main sources of acid rain. This can decimate forests and kill aquatic organisms.

Gregory Carmichael, an air-quality researcher at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and his colleagues in the US and Austria estimated acid deposition rates for eastern China, Korea and Japan from a computer model of sulphur emissions and how they travel through the atmosphere. They also took into account the alkalinity of soils throughout the region, since this will determine how they are affected by acid rain.

Their model predicts that if there is no change in emission-control policies, by 2020 the acid rain falling on vast regions of eastern and southeastern China, the Korean peninsula and Japan will overwhelm the soils' ability to cope. "We see levels of sulphur deposition that are equivalent to or greater than the levels seen in the `black triangle' of central Europe, where we've seen tremendous ecosystem impact," says Carmichael.

The researchers also tested what effect tighter emission-control policies might have on acid deposition two decades from now. Moderately stringent policies, such as installing state-of-the-art scrubbers that mop up sulphur dioxide on all new power plants and industrial smokestacks, efforts to encourage energy efficiency, and switching from coal to less polluting fuels, did little to lighten the gloomy picture for 2020.

As the team will report in the journal Ambio, only the most aggressive scenario lowered acid deposition enough to prevent severe damage. "Anything short of the best available technology is swamped by the growth of emissions," says Carmichael. This would mean combining all the above measures and fitting scrubbers to all major existing industrial plants.

This would cost China more than $23 billion per year over the next 20 years, the researchers estimate. While that kind of investment—roughly 2 per cent of China's gross domestic product—might be achievable in the West, it represents a huge jump in China's outlay for environmental protection, Carmichael says.

Even so, experts are hopeful. For one thing, the predictions did not take account of last year's economic downturn in Asia, which may sharply reduce any increase in emissions. And at the same time, Western countries may want to invest in Chinese industry, and this could provide capital for pollution controls. "A combination like that could make significant improvement, and the gloomy scenarios might not come to pass," says Ken Wilkening, an environmental policy analyst at the Nautilus Institute, a think-tank in Berkeley, California.

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[vinnomot] Impending food crisis in South Asia

Matter is getting serious--Yesterday it was Monmahan, Today NYT published an article on it--we are pushed to a limit thanks to Ethanol production replacing staple foods..situation will only worsen unless a political movement is formed. 6 billion dollars have been invested in last two tears in Ethanol--so I see the whole south Asian region plunging into hunger in another 5 years..

I want to host a radio show on this topic-those in USA can join the show and comment by dialling a 800 number..write to me in biplabpal2000@yahoo.com
if you are interested.

Biplab

################

Editorial

The World Food Crisis

Published: April 10, 2008

Most Americans take food for granted. Even the poorest fifth of households in the United States spend only 16 percent of their budget on food. In many other countries, it is less of a given. Nigerian families spend 73 percent of their budgets to eat, Vietnamese 65 percent, Indonesians half. They are in trouble.

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Last year, the food import bill of developing countries rose by 25 percent as food prices rose to levels not seen in a generation. Corn doubled in price over the last two years. Wheat reached its highest price in 28 years. The increases are already sparking unrest from Haiti to Egypt. Many countries have imposed price controls on food or taxes on agricultural exports.

Last week, the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, warned that 33 nations are at risk of social unrest because of the rising prices of food. "For countries where food comprises from half to three-quarters of consumption, there is no margin for survival," he said.

Prices are unlikely to drop soon. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says world cereal stocks this year will be the lowest since 1982.

The United States and other developed countries need to step up to the plate. The rise in food prices is partly because of uncontrollable forces — including rising energy costs and the growth of the middle class in China and India. This has increased demand for animal protein, which requires large amounts of grain.

But the rich world is exacerbating these effects by supporting the production of biofuels. The International Monetary Fund estimates that corn ethanol production in the United States accounted for at least half the rise in world corn demand in each of the past three years. This elevated corn prices. Feed prices rose. So did prices of other crops — mainly soybeans — as farmers switched their fields to corn, according to the Agriculture Department.

Washington provides a subsidy of 51 cents a gallon to ethanol blenders and slaps a tariff of 54 cents a gallon on imports. In the European Union, most countries exempt biofuels from some gas taxes and slap an average tariff equal to more than 70 cents a gallon of imported ethanol. There are several reasons to put an end to these interventions. At best, corn ethanol delivers only a small reduction in greenhouse gases compared with gasoline. And it could make things far worse if it leads to more farming in forests and grasslands. Rising food prices provide an urgent argument to nix ethanol's supports.

Over the long term, agricultural productivity must increase in the developing world. Mr. Zoellick suggested rich countries could help finance a "green revolution" to increase farm productivity and raise crop yields in Africa. But the rise in food prices calls for developed nations to provide more immediate assistance. Last month, the World Food Program said rising grain costs blew a hole of more than $500 million in its budget for helping millions of victims of hunger around the world.

Industrial nations are not generous, unfortunately. Overseas aid by rich countries fell 8.4 percent last year from 2006. Developed nations would have to increase their aid budgets by 35 percent over the next three years just to meet the commitments they made in 2005.

They must not let this target slip. Continued growth of the middle class in China and India, the push for renewable fuels and anticipated damage to agricultural production caused by global warming mean that food prices are likely to stay high. Millions of people, mainly in developing countries, could need aid to avoid malnutrition. Rich countries' energy policies helped create the problem. Now those countries should help solve it.

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[vinnomot] Bangladeshi Islamists gaining strength(BD Police beaten by the Islamis ts and the gun looted)

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[vinnomot] Most Dangerous people and gang in Bangladesh

বাংলাদেশের সবচেয়ে বিপজ্জনক ব্যক্তি ও গোষ্ঠী
শিবলী বিশ্বাস
বাংলাদেশের সবচেয়ে বিপজ্জনক ব্যক্তি বা গোষ্ঠী কারা? বাংলাদেশের সব নাগরিকের তার নিজের স্বার্থে প্রশ্নটির উত্তর জানা উচিত। কারণ যারা বিপজ্জনক ব্যক্তি তারাও এ দেশের নাগরিক। অন্য নাগরিকের সঙ্গে তারা মিলেমিশে চলে। পোশাক-আশাক, চাল-চলন, আচার-আচরণ, খাওয়া-দাওয়া ইত্যাদিতে সাধারণ নাগরিকের সঙ্গে এদের পার্থক্য থাকলেও উভয়েই মানুষ। মানুষকে ব্যবহার করে, মানুষের জন্য মায়াকান্না কেদে এরা মানুষের মুখোশ পরে মানুষের মতো চলাফেরা করে সাধারণ মানুষের সঙ্গে। চেহারা চেকনাইর বিষয়টি বাদ দিলে বিপজ্জনক ও অবিপজ্জনক ব্যক্তি দেখতে একই রকম।
সব সময় ক্ষমতার কাছাকাছি অবস্থানে বিপজ্জনকরা থাকে বলে ক্ষমতার স্বাদ তাদের মুখস্থ। তারা সব সময় তাদের চারপাশে একটি দেয়াল তৈরি করে রাখে বলে সাধারণের পক্ষে তাদের কাছে ঘেষা খুবই দুরূহ। বিপজ্জনক ব্যক্তি নিয়ে ভয়টা সেখানেই।
তারা কোনো সময়ই ক্ষমতায় যায় না। কিন্তু সব সরকারের সময়ই ক্ষমতার কাছাকাছি থেকে ক্ষমতাসীনকে ক্ষমতা ধরে রাখার বুদ্ধি দেয়, ক্ষমতাহীনকে ক্ষমতা পেতে উস্কে দেয়। ফলে ক্ষমতাসীন ও ক্ষমতাহীনদের মধ্যে দেখা দেয় বিরোধ। তাই তারাও দামি হয়ে ওঠে ক্ষমতাসীন ও ক্ষমতাহীনদের কাছে।
তারা যেহেতু ক্ষমতায় যায় না, তাই তাদের জনগণের কাছে যাওয়ার প্রয়োজন হয় না। জনগণের কাছ থেকে তারা সম্মানজনক দূরত্ব বজায় রাখে। নিতান্ত বাধ্য হয়ে যদি সাধারণের সঙ্গে হ্যান্ডশেক করতেই হয় তাহলে তাদের চিন্তা থাকে, কখন টিসু দিয়ে হাত মুছে পবিত্র হবে।

For details http://www.jaijaidin.com/details.php?nid=64355

অনাহারে প্রতিটি মৃত্যূর জন্য ফখরুদ্দিন আর মঈনের বিরুদ্ধে একটি করে খুনের মামলা করতে হবে ।

-Would Be Mahathir of BD

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[vinnomot] A media watchdog needed: Is there anyone who wants to take the idea and implemen

A media watchdog needed: Is there anyone who wants to take the idea and implement it?
If someone really wants to do it, arrangement of funding would not be a problem. You will just have to look at the right places.

The proposition is very simple. You have hire a number of interns on an ongoing basis. All these interns do is watch TV channels around the clock. Yes, you read it right, their job as intern is to watch TV!

So, where is the missing link? It can't just be watching TV. There must be something else.

Yes, you are right. There is something else, but not that very hard.

These interns classify every seconds they watch in different categories. Some of the categories would be:
1. Today's lead news : time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
2. Today's second lead news : time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
3. Investigative report which no other outlet reported today : time spent (positive)
4. Investigative report which other outlets also reported: time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
5. Reporting press conferences which others also reported : time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
6. Reporting interview / commentary which others did not report : time spent (positive)
7. Reporting an event which no other channels reported : time spent (positive or negative)
8. Reporting an event which no other channels reported and no involvement of the TV channel's owner, management, etc : time spent (very positive)
9. Reporting an event which no other channels reported and it is deemed to be related to the owner or management: time spent (very negative)
10. Reporting what foreigners has to say about internal matters: time spent (positive or negative)
11. Reporting what locally resident foreign diplomats has to say about internal matters: time spent (very negative)
12. Reporting what foreign visiting dignitaries has to say about matters of our interest: time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
13. Reporting on sports event: time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
14. Investigative report on sport (no other channel carried): time spent (positive)
15. Crime report that just reported the event without going into the cause: time spent (neutral, descriptive purpose)
16. Crime report that spent time on the underlying cause: time spent (very positive)

The list could go on and on.........

If any of you could prepare such comparative reports on a monthly basis and summarize on a quarterly / yearly reports, it could help us be a strong nation - both in economic terms and in governance terms.

Every citizens, political parties (which are not run by thugs) and the government agencies would be benefited from such a service. The service can start with the major news bulletin service of few selected channels. Once there is increasing focus, funding and support, the watchdog can increase its reach.

There are many operational matters that has to be sorted out - once a policy level decision is taken to implement this. Researchers in different social science departments may be of help.

Any takers?

If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the columnists in regular traditional media, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence.

Thanks for your time,
Innovation Line

=================================================================

Note: This is a freelance column, published mainly in different internet based forums. This column is open for contribution by the members of new generation, sometimes referred to as Gen 71. If you identify yourself as someone from that age-group and want to contribute to this column, please feel free to contact. Thanks to the group moderator for publishing the article.

Dear readers, also, if you thought the article was important enough so it should come under attention of the head of the government please forward the message to them. Email address for the Chief Advisor: feeedback@pmo.gov.bd_ or at http://www.cao.gov.bd/feedback/comments.php . The more of you forward it to them, the less will be the need to go back to street agitation. Use ICT to practice democracy. It is already proven that this government responds to the feedback.

Also send it to:
BTV: info@btv.gov.bd_
Channel i: http://www.channel-i-tv.com/contact.html
ATN Bangla: mtplive@atnbangla.tv_
NTV: info@ntvbd.com_
RTV: info@rtvbd.tv_

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[vinnomot] Baitul Mukarrom showing sign of Lal Masjid of Pakistan

There is every reason for people with conscious to be worried about which direction our country is moving toward. In absence of caretaker governments inability to handle Isalmist bigots is creating an atmosphere where people have to take the law into their own hand to challenge mullah's plan to turn our country a backward state of Taliban.

Jamaat-e-Islami lead terrorist are burning not just the cars and motorcycle and beating police they put prayer rugs of Baitul Mukarrom on fire. Mercilessly beat Muslim devotees who went to the mosque for prayer. It happened not just in Dhaka but in Chittagong too. Followers of Islami Chatro Shibir the student wing of Jamaat-e_Isalmi attacked police station and a mosque without any provocation.

Three members of Islamist outfits beat up a policeman, two with the snatched shotgun and helmet while the other with a bamboo stick, after the cop fell behind his retreating colleagues who chased the agitators near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday. Photo: STAR

Baitul Mukarrom mosque, showing sign of what happened with Lal Masjid of Pakistan. Baitul Mukarrom is no longer a place of worship but a den of fanatic terrorist led by Jamaat-E-Isalmi . This is out national mosque and we must claim it back.

I will ask civil society, forward looking political organization, women's right organization, Islamic organization, especially Sector Commanders Forum to declare Baitul Mukarrom our national mosque free of terrorist. Call for a especial National Prayer Session in Baitul Mukarrom and return the mosque to Muslim devotees. Take oath to fight one last time to free this country from religious bigots. These are the same people who killed our brother, sisters, fathers and mother in 1971 in the name of Islam. These are the same people who raped our women and handed them to brutal Pakistani military force as Maal-e-goni-mat.

Progressive political parties have to take a stand on this issue; nation wants to know where they stand. If they fail to take a stand in favor of fifty percent population of the country then they have no right to ask out vote.

Civil Society irrespective of creed, gender, religious belief and political identity have to make demand similar to what Sector Commanders Forum pressed that political party declare that they will not associate with religious bigots and will pass women's equal right act if they voted to power. I will urge the civil society to boycott any political entities that will not come forward in favor of women's equal right.

Where is our Nobel Laureate Dr. Younus? His Nobel peace prize is a direct result of our deprived women's. He could not win this prize without he women's effort, why he is not talking? Unfortunately he never ever took stand on any issue that our country faces. When peace of the country was falling apart because of dummy president Dr. Iajuddin's illegal anti constitutional stand, it was Dr. Younus who came out to support him and asked Iajuddin not to listen to anyone and go forward with secret blue print election. I hope at least once in a life time Dr. Younus will come out of his egg shell and stand beside the people.

Where half of the population is women who the mullahs are to stop women's equal right?

It is the woman who earns the maximum foreign currency of the country giving their sweet and blood working 12 + hour shift in a garments industry, who are these people who wants to stop them from their legitimate equal right?

It is the women, who makes her all out effort in agro economy and it is because of women farmers our agriculture sector is flourishing day by day. Male farmers only farms on the other hand the female farmers not just farms but takes care of wellbeing of entire family, who are the mullahs to stop that forward march.

Every citizen who believes in Bangladesh, every citizen who believes in the constitution of the country has to abide by it. Our constitution gives the equal right to its entire citizen. Bangladesh government who took oath under this constitution has to abide by it upheld it and protects it from anyone who wants to destroy it. If they fail to protect the constitution which we received with the sacrifice of millions of mutterers then surely we will fight on their behalf to protect it.

Wake of son's of mothers, protest who wants your mother's right to be revoked in the name of religion. Mother who kept you with her love in her womb for nine months this is your time to return her not favor but her right. Fight until your last breath for your own mother and sisters right which ultimately will protect your rights too.

Let us walk together out of darkness toward the light

With a sincere hope for victory of truth and justice over untruth and injustice

Shamim Chowdhury

Maryland, USA

Date: April 11, 2008

Islamist activists throw stones during a clash with the police in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka on Friday.
— New Age photo

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW

Saturday, April 12, 2008 04:41 AM GMT+06:00

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Front Page

Second Day of Protest in Baitul Mukarram Area

Violent clashes with cops leave 200 hurt

Shotgun looted by activists found in mosque compound

Staff Correspondent

Three members of Islamist outfits beat up a policeman, two with the snatched shotgun and helmet while the other with a bamboo stick, after the cop fell behind his retreating colleagues who chased the agitators near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday. Photo: STAR

Hundreds of Islamist activists clashed with police for hours on the second day of violent protests in the city's Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area yesterday, leaving over 200 people injured.

Police used batons and fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to break up demonstrations against the recently announced national women development policy in defiance of the state of emergency.

At least 52 policemen and five journalists were among the injured.

Some 17 people were arrested in connection with the clashes. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mazharul Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Motijheel zone last night said they filed a case accusing over 100 people of assault on police and looting firearms.

An intelligence official requesting not to be named told The Daily Star that they have already identified those inciting violence. "We have suggested that the government take a tough line against them," he added.

Eyewitnesses said violence broke out at around 1:35pm, minutes after Jum'a prayers when police barred a procession coming from the north gate of the mosque. Incensed, the other members of the radical Islamist outfits who were preparing to join the march began throwing projectiles at the law enforcers.

As chase and counter-chase continued for hours, hundreds of those who went to the mosque for Friday prayers became trapped inside.

At around 3:00pm, some demonstrators caught a policeman cut off from his colleagues and beat him up. They snatched his shotgun and broke it up into pieces, said the media cell of DMP.

Earlier, some 50 people were wounded in Thursday's fight between the Islamist groups and law enforcers.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed announced the National Women Development Policy-2008 on March 8, causing a firestorm of protests among Islamist organisations.

Since then, some radical groups have been claiming that the policy gives equal inheritance rights to men and women, while the government maintained there is no such provision.

In efforts to scotch the discontent, four advisers of the caretaker government on March 27 met Islamic leaders and formed a review committee headed by the acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

A report by the committee is due by April 16. But some Islamic groups including Ahkam-e-Shariah Hifajat led by Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Anti-Quran Law Resistance Committee of Allama Azizul Huq Shaikhul Hadith, Islamic Law Implementation Committee led by Islami Oikya Jote's Fazlul Huq Amini and Chhatra Jamiat Andolon of Maulana Muhiuddin Ahmed opted not to wait and launched violent street agitation Thursday.

A huge number of students from madrasas across the city took part in the pitched battles with police yesterday. They acted on instructions from their teachers who were staying inside the mosque, said the eyewitnesses.

After around four hours of fighting, areas like Purana Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection, Bangabandhu Avenue, Gulistan and national stadium were littered with brickbats as smog from tear gas hung heavily over them.

The agitators launched attacks on the police from every corner of Baitul Mukarram and took shelter inside whenever police went on a counter-offensive. They took bricks off under-construction structures on the mosque premises and split those into pieces to hurl at police.

Around 1,500 law enforcers in riot gear struggled all along to control the crowds.

At one stage, rumours spread that three of the protesters were killed, adding fuel to the agitation.

To escape tear gas, both the law enforces and agitators burned carpets of the mosque, woods, furniture of several street side stalls and papers making the air heavier and adding to the sufferings.

The marchers chanted slogans demanding resignation of Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury and the interim government.

The injured policemen were admitted to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital while journalists, pedestrians and protesters received treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and various private medical facilities.

DMCH sources said 22 madrasa students were admitted there.

Monirul Islam and Hasan Raja of Prothom Alo, Abu Taher Khokon of New Age, and Belal Hossain of Ekushey TV--all photographers--were badly injured.

Of the policemen wounded, condition of inspector Selimuzzaman, Sergeant Israfil, Sub-Inspector Kamrul, and constables Belayet, Enamul, Emdad, Kamrul, Monir, Kabir, Shafique, and Sarwar was stated critical, according to the DMP media cell.

An official of the cell told The Daily Star last night that during the clashes, police shot 312 tear gas shells and 243 rounds of rubber bullets.

DMP (Motijheel) DC Mazharul Islam said, "They attacked first, forcing us to retaliate with baton-charge and tear gas."

He said at least 35 platoons were engaged to disperse the agitators till 3:30pm.

Meanwhile, Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Fazlul Haque Amini at a press conference at Purana Paltan in the afternoon alleged that police attacked them without provocation.

He claimed that more than 100 of their workers were injured in the clashes.

"We called a rally to drum up support for the anti-Quran rules," he added.

Amini also said, "If our demands are not met, the fire ignited today [yesterday] will spread like wildfire across the country."

Asked about mosaic stones taken off the mosque's wall, he said he was not aware of it.

Related Stories
Call for calm, solving crisis thru'talks
Madrasa students go on rampage, storm Hathazari police station
Second day bigots battle with cop

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Friday, April 11, 2008

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Friday, April 11, 2008

[vinnomot] Baitul Mukarrom showing sign of Lal Masjid of Pakistan

[vinnomot] Asian dark cloud will reduce food production in South Asia by 30%

[vinnomot] Impending food crisis in South Asia

The World Food Crisis

The Board Blog

Readers' Comments

[vinnomot] Bangladeshi Islamists gaining strength(BD Police beaten by the Islamis ts and the gun looted)

[vinnomot] Most Dangerous people and gang in Bangladesh

[vinnomot] A media watchdog needed: Is there anyone who wants to take the idea and implemen

[vinnomot] Baitul Mukarrom showing sign of Lal Masjid of Pakistan

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