Political and Democratic

Environment Report January2014

Introduction
Human rights situation in Bangladesh has been worsening day by day and this is very alarming as to a significant stage the rights are being violated by the state itself. Various institutions are objected to malfunctioning at political will causing further deterioration of institutionalization contrary to the good governance and a healthy culture. Lax law enforcement panics people. Table-11 Statistics January- May 2013 February

January

March

Type of Human Rights Violation

April

Crossfire Torture to death Extrajudicia Shot to death l Killings Beaten to death Strangled to death Total Torture (Alive) Disappearance Human rights violations by Indian BSF Bangladeshis killed Bangladeshis Injured Bangladeshis Abducted

5 0 2 2 0 9 4 2 5 16 12

7 1 72 1 0 81 3 1 1 7 3

5 0 47 0 0 52 3 1 2 6 16

5 0 2 0 1 8 2 8 1 4 12

4 3 18 0 0 25 0 0 3 10 10

26 4 141 3 1 175 12 12 12 43 53

11

Odhikar Report: http://www.odhikar.org/documents/2013/HRR_2013/human-rights-monitoring-monthlyreport-may-2013-eng.pdf

Total

May

Deaths in Jail Killed Injured Attack on Threatened Journalists Attacked Assaulted Killed Injured Political Violence Acid violence

3 0 20 2 0 1 18 1643

6 0 18 3 7 5 86 2772

6 0 21 7 0 4 76 3055

2 0 17 9 0 20 26 1450

12 0 13 0 0 0 46 948

29 0 89 21 7 30 252 9868

3 42

2 54

4 64

1 16

15 213

Dowry related violence (including women 37 victims, their children and relatives) Rape Sexual harassment/ Stalking of women Section 144 of Cr. PC Public lynching RMG Killed Injured 109 44 9 17 8 235

93 31 10 8 0 178

115 51 4 10 0 75

108 46 2 6 1129 2638

28 10 0 9 0 361

453 182 25 50 1137 3532

Table 22

Comparison among the year 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012

Type of violence Extra-judicial killing Death in Custody Disappearance Attack on journalists (including killed, injured, assaulted, attacked, threatened) Killed by BSF Political Violence: Killed Acid violence Dowry violence against women Rape Public Lynching Died : Readymade Garments Worker 38 169 105 822 805 132 115 31 101 101 516 711 161 4 74 220 137 378 556 74 33 98 251 101 319 456 127 7 2012 70 63 24 289 2011 84 105 30 206 2010 127 109 16 263 2009 154 123 2 266

Odhikar Report: http://www.odhikar.org/documents/2013/AHRR_2012/report-Annual%20Human%20Rights%20Report-2012eng.pdf

900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Comparision among the year 2009,2010,2011 and 2012

822 805

2012 2011 2010 289 169 70 84 63 105 105 24 30 206 38 31 101 101 516 711 132 161 2009

115 4

Comparison among the years shown in percentage

Type of violence
Extra-judicial killing Death in Custody Disappearance Attack on journalists Killed by BSF Political Violence: Killed Acid violence Dowry violence against women Rape Public Lynching Died : Readymade Garments Worker

2012
-17% -40% -20% 40% 23% 67% 4% 59% 13% -18% 2775%

2011
-34% -4% 88% -22% -58% -54% -26% 37% 28% 118% -88%

2010
-18% -11% 700% -1% -24% -12% 36% 18% 22% -42% 371%

Concern of the International Organizations

Many national and international Human Rights Organizations showed their concerns as to the recent human rights status in Bangladesh such as: 1. Human Rights Watch (HRW) opines in its website that, Bangladeshs overall human rights situation worsened in 2012, as the government narrowed political and civil society space, shielded abusive security forces from accountability, and ignored calls to reform laws and procedures in flawed war crimes and mutiny trials. The security forces disguised extrajudicial killings as crossfire killings. Opposition members and political activists disappeared. Flawed trials against those accused of war crimes in the 1971 war for independence continued. When Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh from persecution in Burma, the government pushed back boatloads of refugees, insisting that it had no obligation to provide them sanctuary.3 On March 1, Human Rights Watch also shows its grave concern to the 40 deaths in Bangladesh. In a statement it said, most deaths appear to have been caused by the security forces using live ammunition against Jamaat protesters. It urged the government to publicly order the security forces to follow the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Human Rights Watch also called for effective investigations into the deaths of all killed during the demonstrations. Human Rights Watch has long called for justice for victims of the 1971 atrocities to be provided through fair trials. However, the trials conducted thus far have been replete with irregularities.

http://www.hrw.org/node/104610

HRW opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as an inherently irreversible, inhumane punishment.4 2. Amnesty International in its 2012 annual report says, some 30 extrajudicial executions took place in Bangladesh. State security forces were implicated in torture and other ill-treatment and at least 10 enforced disappearances. Political violence resulted in the death of at least four men. Women continued to be subjected to various forms of violence. The government failed to protect Indigenous communities from attack by Bengali settlers. At least 111 workers died in a factory fire, some allegedly because officials refused to let them leave the premises. More than 20 Buddhist temples and monasteries, one Hindu temple and scores of Buddhist homes and shops were set on fire during a communal attack. One person was executed and at least 45 people were sentenced to death. Nevertheless in January, the Prime Minister stated that no human rights violations had been committed in the country.5 In a Public Statement6 issued on 22 February 2013, Amnesty International showed its concern over new amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 (ICT Act) made by the government of Bangladesh that may be used to push for hasty death sentences to be imposed on individuals convicted by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The amendments, passed by Parliament on 17 February, permit the prosecution to appeal against any decision of the ICT to impose a lesser sentence. 3. Asian Human Rights Commission, on March 7, 2013 criticized the tribunal to be shoddy and shows its concern towards the violence arising out of the verdict of the same that is about to

4 5

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/01/bangladesh-end-violence-over-war-crimes-trials http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/bangladesh/report-2012 6 http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA13/003/2013/en/ebddb9c9-b5ea-418b-9b900ab53c8c51bc/asa130032013en.html

lead the nation to civil war. On its own website, it states: the tribunal has pushed Bangladesh to extreme violence. Since 28 February, the events have taken a violent turn in which almost 100 persons including women, children and police officers have lost life. Several hundreds more are injured, and properties destroyed of which no body in the country has any true count.7 4. On March 4, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has been following with concern the serious situation in Bangladesh which claimed dozens of lives and caused the destruction of public and private properties. In trying to bring about satisfactory solutions to the countrys political and social issues, the Secretary General invited all parties to refrain from all acts of violence which go against the interests of the country, and called for the proper respect of the rule of law by all.8 5. On February 7, 2013 two independent United Nations human rights experts Christof Heyns and Gabriela Knaul stressed that justice for past crimes in Bangladesh requires fair trials, after voicing concern at recent sentences, including the death penalty, handed down in cases that did not ensure due process.9 6. International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) criticized the International Crimes Tribunal established by Govt. of Bangladesh to bring the accused for crimes against humanity to justice. It said that, the death sentence handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi violates international standards of due process and fair trial, and, if carried out, would violate his right to life.10

7 8

http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-052-2013 http://www.oic-oci.org/topic_detail.asp?t_id=7807 9 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44089&Cr=death&Cr1=penalty 10 http://www.icj.org/bangladesh-international-crimes-tribunal-should-pursue-justice-not-vengeance/

Killing

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has reported that journalists in several countries were also murdered after reporting on sensitive subjects. Reporters and commentators who covered police misconduct, political corruption or drug trafficking and other sensitive topics were slain in separate incidents in Brazil, Colombia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Russia.11

Ekushey Padak winner photojournalist Aftab Ahmed has been killed. The police suspected that he had been strangled in the flat on WAPDA Road where he had lived alone. Aftab was a known for his work during the war of independence and he shot to fame for his photograph of Basanti, a woman in rag wearing fishing net, showing the severity of the famine in 1974.12,13

An activist of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal of the BNP, was shot dead and several others were wounded in a clash between blockaders and BGB personnel in Chandpur. The first day of the BNP-led opposition's indefinite blockade across the country saw armed response from security forces to shut the movement of opposition to cancel the one-party election.14

The body of an Shibir leader was found with three bullet wounds beside DhakaChittagong highway near Teriail area in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong yesterday. Family sources said some 20 men, in plain clothes, picked up this victim from the house

11 12

New age: 31/12/2013 New age: 26/12/2013 13 Sangram: 26.12.2013 14 The Daily Star: 2.1.2014

of his brother-in-law the previous day. They suspect that the men belonged to RAB and police.15 In 2013 Bangladesh has seen 848 events of political violence. In these events 507 died and 22407 people were injured. Among the deceased were 15 police and 2 members of BGB.16 In Dhaka central jail an inmate called Shah Alam died for reasons unknown. His relatives said that he was tortured to death. His mother said he was sentenced for 9 years on an illegal arms case.17 In Raypur, Laxmipur, Jubo League leaders snatched tender boxes from Local Government Engineering department that was worth taka 2 crores and 20 lacs. They destroyed the tender box. This happened at the LGED office.18 In Rangunia, Chittagong a Juba Dal leader named Jahangir Alam was killed by bullets shot by a gang of criminals. I was returning home when he was shot. He was in garments products business.19 Jhikorgachhas Jubo Dal leader named Nannu was killed in Dhaka. On January 20th Nannu participated in the mass gathering at the Sohrawardi park. Police captured him while returning home suspecting he was shibir and tortured him to death. His body bears marks of many bullet wounds and his throat was slit.20

15 16

The Daily Star: 20.1.2014 Amar Desh: 1.1.2014 17 Sangram: 2.1.2014 18 Sangram: 22.1.2014 19 Sangram: 25.1.2014 20 Sangram: 25.1.2014

10

Awami governments regime has seen 12921 crimes in Pabna in last 5 years. Among these crimes there were 401 murders. 150 were sentenced linked to these crimes. So, only 8% of the criminal cases were actually resolved at court.21

In Chandpur, BGB killed a Jubo Dal leader. This killing raised tension in the area. Police shot people who attempted to break a BGB car. Their bullet killed the Jubo Dal leader.22

In Meherpur, a Jamaat leader was killed by joint-forces while he was returning home. His family said it was a cold-blooeded murder. On the other hand, Joint-forces claimed that it was agun fight. Actually, the victim was arrested from home at later at midnight was taken to a graveyard and shot dead.23,24

A news report said that in last three years police could not or did not manage to arrest the Awami gang members that killed Chhatro Dal leader Onu. In 2011 he was kidnapped and tortured to death by Awami cadres in a brick field.25

In Muradnagar, Comilla Awami cadres killed a BNP activist called Jasim Uddin (40) for not paying the money they tried to extort out of him. The victim was filling a pond with soil beside his house and Awami cadres demanded taka 5 lac for letting him to that.26 The Awami cadres also killed an expat for money.27

During the embargo and blockade called on by BNP to get the one-party election of Awami League cancelled several clashes and arsons took place. Two transportation

21 22

Sangram: 23.1.2014 Prothom Alo: 1.1.2014 23 Amar Desh: 1.1.2014 24 Sangram: 1.1.2014 25 Amar Desh: 2.1.2014 26 Amar Desh: 4.1.2014 27 Prothom Alo: 4.1.2014

11

workers died from a fire that occurred after a bus was petrol-bombed in Dinajpur. Many cars were burnt down in many places. 28, 29 A news report said that over the last 5 years of Awami rule A festival of murder took place. Over last five years over 21 thousand people were murdered in this country. That is 11 murders per day on average.30 In Chor Martin, Laxmi pur, an Awami leaders brother raped wife of an expat. After this horrible crime, the victim tried to commit suicide drinking insecticide. While her family was taking her to hospital, Awam cadres attempted to stop them so the victim would die and/or the crime would be unreported.31 In Shatkhira, police took a Jamaat leader from home and then shot him dead. This unfortunate event of murder took place in Debhata. Police officer Tarok Biswas took him from streets, then after taking him to Nanglaghona he shot the victim three times below waist. The victim was taken to Sadar Hospital but he was already dead from bleeding.32 In Savar, police recovered hanging body of a young woman from a falt. Juba League leader Rajib rented that flat. The neighbors said that Rajib had an illegitimate relationship with the victim. Police said it could be a suicide.33 A BCL cadre threatened to kill a professor from Jahangir Nagar University. The BCL cadre who was also a student was not eligible to take part in exam. When the professor

28 29

Amar Desh: 4.1.2014 Prothom Alo: 5.1.2014 30 Amar Desh: 13.1.2014 31 Amar Desh: 13.1.2014 32 Amar Desh: 16.1.2014 33 Amar Desh: 16.1.2014

12

disallowed him, the BCL cadre started beating him and threatened that he would be shot dead.34 The Joint-forces 11-day-long raid to cleanse off Jamaat and BNP leaders in Shatkhira led to 3 deaths, 16 bullet-wounded and 160 homes/businesses shattered, damaged and/or looted. 5 wounded men were crippled. 30 Jamaat members were arrested on 10 cases.35 In Shatkhira, Joint-forces killed a UP chairman who was BNP leader. During this Jointforce raid 4 people died, 3 Shibir men were crippled and numerous people were injured. Joint-forces looted his house and took him away. He was missing since then and when his body was found it was bearing 25 bullet wounds.36 In Sherpur, a BNP leader was chopped to death by criminals. The victim was called Al Mamun. Police recovered his severed body and sent him to morgue. Police arrested one on this event for interrogation.37 In Palashbari, Gaibandha a Jamaat leaders body was recovered from beside a highway. The victim was shot dead. After his Janaza, he victims body was taken to morgue for autopsy and then he was buried.38 Even after winning the one-party election on 5th January, Awami did not stop killing opposition people; only they steered up the body count. On a single day they killed five people who were not even from BNP or Jamaat but a minor party. During and after this election 34 people were murdered by Awami League cares.39

34 35

Amar Desh: 24.1.2014 Aamr Desh: 27.12.2013 36 Sangram: 31.12.2013 37 Sangram: 10.1.2013 38 Sangram: 12.1.2013 39 Amar Desh: 7.1.2014

13

Three days after going missing a shibir members body was recovered from beside Dhaka-Chittagong highway. The victims body was bearing bullet wounds on his head and chest. Police recovered the body and sent to morgue.40

BNP leaders who were charged of attacking on MP Asaduzzam Nurs convoy were being kidnapped and killed. The first one to go this way was Golam Rabbani. His body was found after he went missing in Nilfamari.41

Police killed two people in Nilfamari. According to police these men tried to damage the stored goods at voting centers. One of the victim was a student and the other was a Jamaat leader.42

In an attack led by Awami league cadres to occupy a student hall led to death of 1 Shibir man and injury of 20. The Awami cadres were guarded by police and armed with blades and firearms.43

In the capital city of Dhaka, a Shibir man was killed by police. Shibir brought out a rally in support of March for Democracy. Police sprayed bullets all of a sudden on their rally which killed the victim. 15 others were arrested from the spot.44

Joint-forces killed Jamaats District Secretary at Meherpur. He was taken by the Joint forces and shot dead. Police claimed that the victim was trying to escape when he was shot dead.45

40 41

Sangram: 20.1.2013 Sangram: 21.1.2013 42 Prothom Alo: 5.1.2014 43 Amar Desh: 13.1.2014 44 Sangram: 30.12.2013 45 Sangram: 21.1.2013

14

Torture Vandalizing and vandalizing

Awami League men attacked a local Juba Dal leaders house at village Thakurbari under Rupganj in Narayanganj. Rupganj upazila unit Juba Dal social welfare secretary Kabir Hossain said some Awami League men, led by Hazibur Rahman, vandalised his house and looted goods as he did not go to the polling centre to cast vote in the 10th national parliament election.46

Awami League activists allegedly set fire to a BNP office in Pirojpur. Police and witnesses said unidentified miscreants torched the district unit office of Awami League on Sadar Road. Police said they heard that Awami League activists had brought out a procession before the BNP office was set on fire. 47

A Chhatra League leader at Jahangirnagar University assaulted urban and regional planning departments chairman Golam Moinuddin and threatened to shoot some other teachers who had protested at the incident. The teacher came under attack at the social science building as he was coming to government and politics department.48

At least 10 people, including a policeman, were injured and local BNP office was set afire during a turf war between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League in Chuadanga. During the clash, Chhatra League cadres vandalized two shops, one motorcycle, a truck, an auto-rickshaw and six houses. They also torched a police van.49

Some over-enthusiast police went crazy over resisting March For Democracy. In Fokirapool, Dhaka policemen directed a raid to catch active BNP leaders. They ordered a

46 47

New Age: 14.1.2014 New Age: 11.1.2014 48 New Age: 24.1.2014; The Daily Star: 24.1.2014 49 The Daily Star: 25.1.2014; Prothom Alo: 25.1.2014

15

hotel to be shut down, and a worker from that hotel was delaying so they threw boiled oil on him. He was in critical condition when he was placed in Dhaka Medical College Hospital.50 DCs of different districts had been sending letters of concern to State ministry reporting that many minority people were being victim of torture, looting, rape, murder, etc. Government promised justice for the victim and immediate actions to stop the miscreants.51 In Shitakundu, Jubo Leagues miscreants attacked a businessmans house in broad daylight. The women of the businessmans family were beaten and shot. The victims were admitted in the Shitakundu health complex for medical attention.52 In Lalmonirhat, miscreants attacked a BNP leaders house and set it on fire. The BNP leader said many valuables worth taka 20 lac were looted from the house which was. Awami secretary of the district denied this crime to have involvement with his organization.53 A news report said that in the last year of 2013 in political violence BCL tortured 500 students and crippled 200 around the country. Most of them were tortured suspecting their involvement with Shibir. 54

In Rajapur, Jhalokathi, local miscreants who were rivals to Juba Dal secretary Kismot Forazi chopped him and cut of veins on his left hand. Besides his face and head was injured. He was taken to Dhaka Orthopedic hospital for treatment.55

50 51

Amar Desh: 29.12.2013 Amar Desh: 11.12.2013s 52 Sangram: 21.1.2014; Amar Desh: 21.1.2014 53 Prothom Alo: 4.1.2014 54 Sangram: 13.1.2014

16

In an assembly of Nationalist Attorney Forum BCL members attacked. This attack took place in Vola, Barisal. A member of the forum said that during their peaceful program BCL members attacked them with bricks and stole their banners.56

Police arrested 3 BCL members from Parnanduyali bus stand in Magura when they were trying to set a bus on fire by throwing petrol bombs. They were taken in for interrogation. On this BCL secretary said it was unfortunate57

In Jhenaidah Awami miscreants snatched an expat from his family and mercilessly chopped. His veins in his legs were cut off. He was in critical condition when he was placed in Jessore Hospital. 58

In Bandarban, BCL members, a gang of 25-30, attacked a household and looted their house and destroyed their home. 2 little girls were injured. These awami miscreants were assisted by police, said the victims.59

In Potuakhali Awami League leader beat up several Hindu businessmen. Awam cadres illegally occupied a land owned by Hindu people. This happened when across Potuakhali, demonstrations against torturing minority Hindu people took place.60

In Pachbibi, Jaypurhat, a group of miscreants set BNP office on fire. This fire destroyed valuables and firnitures of the office. Fire service was informed but no one came from the service. Local people threw water and brought the fire under control.61

55 56

Amar Desh: 29.12.2013 Prothom Alo: 1.1.2014 57 Amar Desh: 2.12.2013; Prothom Alo: 1.1.2014 58 Sangram: 14.1.2014 59 Prothom Alo: 8.1.2014 60 Amar Desh: 13.1.2013 61 Sangram: 13.1.2014

17

In a post-election violence on BNP supporters, Juba League cadres looted business organizations and houses, destroyed properties that were owned by BNP supporters. The victims said that the damage was worth taka 30 lac.62

In Chittagong Awami cadres received 30K illegal arms for resisting the oppositions from their protests targeting the one-party election in January. Police did not make any attempt to recover these illegal arms. In Chittagong there are 3 thousand miscreant gangs who possess these illegal arms.63

Jubo League members beat up a Hindu book seller for not voting for Awami league in Natore. The victim said I do not want justice from anyone but Bhagban (god). Previously an Awami League cadre destroyed a shop owned by a Hindu businessman.64 In Kalinagar, Natore Awami cadres broke legs of two men for not voting for Awami league.65

In Dinajpur, a BCL-Chhatra Dal clash left 6 injured. In Dinajpur Government College this clash erupted after two rival student wings brought out rallies for freshmen. Police chased the clashers away.66

In Feni, a Chhatro dal leader was beaten by BCL members. The victim was chased and attacked by 4-5 BCL members. The victim was recovered by local people and sent to hospital.67

62 63

Sangram: 11.1.2014 Amar Desh: 26.12.2013 64 Amar Desh: 17.1.2014 65 Amar Desh: 7.1.2014 66 ProthomAlo: 29.12.2013; Amar Desh: 28.12.2013 67 ProthomAlo: 08.12.2013

18

In Comilla university, a BCL-Chhatra Dal clash left 23 injured. In the campus this clash erupted after two rival student wings brought out rallies for freshmen. Police shot rubber bullets to keep it under control.68

A news report reveals that Chittagong Universitys Shah Jalal Hall was controlled by BCL and used for storing illegal arms, tading drugs and kidnap and torture businessmen for money. The students were not allowed to enter the hall.69

In Chandpur, BCL set a BNP office on fire and damaged it. They rallied from Mukherjee Ghat and attacked the BNP office. A neighbor woman was also attacked and beaten. They attacked two other houses in the neighborhood.70

In Khulna miscreants burnt down 8 rooms owned by a Juba Dal leader. The damage caused by the fire was a loss worth taka 8-10 lacs. In exhausting the fire, a man was injured. The tenants lost all their belongings and now were living under open sky.71

In Kabirhat, police constable and computer operator Anisur Rahman was attacked and injured by BCL cadres. The victim was taken to hospital. He was settling a dispute when the Awam cadres attacked him.72

In Kachua a case of attacking former State Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgirs convoy and throwing shoes at him was filed against named 41 and unnamed 3041. In another news, 5 educational institutes and several businesses were attacked, damaged and destroyed by BCL members. The loss was worth over taka 1 crore.73

68 69

ProthomAlo: 19.1.2014 Amar Desh: 29.12.2013 70 Sangram: 4.1.2014 71 Sangram: 13.1.2014 72 Sangram: 18.1.2014 73 Sangram: 18.1.2014

19

To suppress the opposition BNPs March for Democracy BCL called it anti -democratic and terroristic and asserted that they would do anything to stop the march for democracy. The audacious BCL leader said if they drop one dead body, we will drop ten.74

In Dhaka University campus an admission-aspirant was beaten with a hammer by a BCL leader. He was in critical condition when he was sent to police. BCL said that the victim was suspected to be a Shibir member.75

IN Agoiljhara, Barisal BCL attacked a Madrasah student from Beluhar Hesaria Alim Madrasah. The student would sit for Dakhil Examination. A group of 10-12 attacked him. He was suspected of tearing Awami posters.76 In Another news, an Imam from Agoiljhara was attacked and stripped and beaten up by an Awami cadre and his men. They tried to set him on fire, but the intervention by local people saved the Imam.77

In Shah Makhdum, Rajshahi City, police and BCL men were conducting joint attacks on people accused on a case of damaging voting centers. They beat parents of a defendant severely. The raids were mainly to loot the houses and find the defendants of that case.78

In Kalapara, Potuakhali an Awami League leader stripped and mercilessly beaten a Hindu widow who did not agree to sleep with him. This raised the tension in the area. Police arrested 3 linked to this horrible crime.79

74 75

Amar Desh: 29.12.2013 Amar Desh: 17.1.2014 76 Amar Desh: 27.12.2013 77 Amar Desh: 28.12.2013 78 Amar Desh: 8.1.2014 79 Amar Desh: 10.1.2014

20

Democratic Climate & HR Situation

Joint-forces arrested 149 leaders/members of BNP and Jamaat. They arrested 58 from different places in Chittagong only. From Khulna they arrested 1 Dakhil student from a Madrasah. From Shatkhira they arrested 9 Shibir members.80 In Jessore, Joint-forces and Awami cadres led an attack on BNP and Jamaat leaders houses and looted them. During hartal they shot 5 Shibir men. And three days earlier father of a victim died from a heart attack after watching Joint-forces torturing him.81 A group of masked miscreants threw a bomb which blew off a Shibir mans wrist. His whole body was wounded with splinters. Police arrested and sent to hospital. Police also arrested 7 workers from Islami Hospital for attending this injured man.82 BCL beat up 5 Dhaka University students suspecting them to be Shibir members. The injured men were admitted to hospital. Among 4, 1 was in critical condition. 83 The general people of Nilfamari are passing their days in fear as the joint forces continue the raid and arrest innocent people. The joint forces have arrested 52 people in 10 days.84 Central leaders of Bangladesh Chhatraleague have been harrassed at Chittagong ahead of the national elections. The leaders were in Chittagong for the election campaign. But local Chhatraleague activists harrassed them and tried to beat them during their stay at a local hotel. The incident took place over disputes on local Chhatraleague committees.85

80 81

Sangram: 1.1.2014 Sangram: 5.1.2014 82 Sangram: 4.1.2014 83 Amar Desh: 22.1.2014 84 Sangram 26-12-13 85 Amar Desh 26-12-13

21

The Shenbag, Noakhali branch of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islami has condemned the effort of the law enforcing agencies to villify Jamaat in the case of bombing the home of Justice Md. Jahangir Hossain of the International Crimes Tribunal. Police had earlier arrested 3 activists of Chhatraleague in the case but later changed their report and indicted Jamaat activists in the case.86

The joint force operation continued across the country amid army patrol to assist the law enforcement agencies for the national elections scheduled for January 5. The joint forces, composed of the police, the Rapid Action Battalion and the Border Guard Bangladesh, arrested at least 252 opposition men at places across the country on, with two days left before the BNP-led alliances march for democracy towards Dhaka for December 29.87

Police have filed a case against 192 activists and leaders of BNP and Jamaat at Thakurgaon after a clash took palce between the Police and opposition alliance.88

At least 3 people have died and 5 people permanently maimed as the joint forces continue their operations at Satkhira. At least 160 homes and shops have been attacked, looted, vandalized and set on fire at the area. 30 people have been arrested during the attacks.89

Police have arrested 21 activists of BNP and Jamaat at Monoharganj on suspicion of vandalism.90

Police have arrested the Secretary of Bagerhat poura Jamaat Mostain Billah when he was returning from a procession of the 18 party opposition alliance.91

86 87

Amar Desh 26-12-13 New Age 27-12-13 88 Amar Desh27-12-13 89 Sangram 27-12-13 90 Sangram 27-12-13 91 Amar Desh 27-12-13

22

Police have filed a case against more than 400 BNP activists after the death of a Police member in a cocktail fire. Police conducted a raid at Rajshahi and arrested 53 leaders and activists of te organization on the same account. The accused include BNP central CoSecretary Mizanur Rahman Minu, Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mosaddeq hossain Bulbul and may other senior leaders.92

Police have arrested 3 tailors at Boalmari, Faridpur as they were preparing national flags for the opposition parties March for Democracy programme. Later they were released after signing a bond.93

The govt. have launched an all out blockade of the capital city Dhaka ahead of the March for Democracy programme called by the opposition alliance. All the inter city bus and launch has been stopped, as well as small private cars leading to the capital city of Dhaka.94

Awami League leader Dr. Mahmud Hasan have appealed to the mass people to capture any outsiders from their area and to hand them over to the Police in the capital Dhaka city. He made the request ahead of the national elections.95

At least 1 lac people have been displaced out of their homes after the Joint Forces began their operations at Satkhira. The y have continued to loot and vandalize the homes of innocent activists of Jamaat. The male members of Satkhira cant stay at their homes as the joint forces and Awami League goons attack the homes if they do so.96

Awami League cadres have wrecked havoc all over Dhaka city ahead of the March for Democracy programme clled by the opposition 18 party alliance. Awami League and

92 93

Amar Desh 28-12-13 Amar Desh 28-12-13 94 Amar Desh 28-12-13 95 Amar Desh 28-12-13 96 Sangram 29-12-13

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Chhatraleague cadres attacked the journalists at the National Rpess Club and injured them severely. A separate attack was launched at the Supreme Court where the League cadres openly attacked the lawyers at the Supreme Court premises. They also attacked the teachers of the University of Dhaka at a separate incident.97 The house of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been surrounded by Police. The regular Police protocol for the BNP Chairperson has been removed along with the security at the front gates. Police have barred the leader from leaving the house at any tim and have left big trucks loaded with sand to obstruct the road in front of her house.98 The Secretary General of Bangladesh Chhatraleague have announced that Chhatraleague will fire 10 shots in response t each shot fired duing the national elections. He made the threat during a meeting in fornt of the National Press Club in Dhaka.99 Police have arrested thousands of peole ahead of the countrywide March for Democracy called by the opposition 18 party alliance. Earlier the opposition had called on the general people to come to dhaka carrying the national flag ahead of the national elections to be held wthout the participation of the opposition allaince.100 Police have arrested 5 leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islami has been arrested from Chouddagram, Comilla. The arrested leaders include the Ameer of Munshirhaat Unipon Jamaat Belal Hossain and several other leaders.101 Police have conducted a raid at the house of central BNP leader Mirza Abbas and ransacked his home. The raid was conducted to arrest cetain terrorists from his house.102

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Police have carried on their operations to arrest activists of the opposition aheasd of the national elections. At least 800 peoplehave been arrested in the capital Dhaka city alone leading to the elections. The arrested include women, children and elderly alike.103 people

Police have obstructed a procession brought out by Bangladesh Islami Andolon at Kushtia. They brought out the procession in protest of the one sided elections taking place in the country.104

Awami League terrorists along with the Police have attacked lawyers at the Supreme Court premises. The unprecedented event, which never before happened in the history of Bangladesh, took place as the lawyers gathered in protest of the national elections. The Police opened the gates for the terrorists to attack and then beat and tortured several eminent and senior lawyers, including females. The leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association have condemned the attacks stating that such an incidence has never before happened in the history of our country.105

Unidentified goons have set fire upon the business enterprise of a Jamaat activist at Jibon Nagar, Chuadanga. Jamaat activist Koels shop was set on fire at the local bazaar by the goons.106

An innocent by stander was shot by the Police and later arrested as he ran when seeing the Police. The victim, Mukul, was fired upon as he ran on sight of Police out of fear. He was later arrested by the Police of Koloroa, Satkhira after the incident.107

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The law enforcing agencies have continued to kill popular leaders of Jamaat and BNP ahead of the national elections. Several local leaders of Jamaat have been abducted by the local police and then killed in the name of crossfire.108

Over the past 1 year, at east 200 people have been murdered at Chittagong, including 39 political killings . the law and order situation has deteriorated severely under the Awami League regime in the city.109

MP of Jessore 1 seat Sheikh Afiluddin have announced that 100 Chhatraleagu cadres will always remain in the voting stations during the vote. They will never elave the line and come back and stand at the back after casting their votes. He announced this ahead of the national elections.110

The ultimatum given by the teachers of the University of Dhaka has ended without any steps taking place. The teachers had earlier given an ultimatum for the responsible people to be punished as govt. cadres atttacked them during a procession in the capital city of Dhaka.111

In the year of 2013, at least 117 people have been murdered in Kushtia. The city has turned into a death valley as one after another activist and leader continue to become murdered in the city.112

Awami League MP of Jessore 1 Sheikh Afil Uddin have ordered his activists to ensure that the Awmi League MP candidate of Jessore 2 seat must win and that they must hold

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victory rallies afterwards.Teh journalists have received copies of the speech of the MP giving instructions to ensure the victory of the Awami League candidate.113 Joint forces along with Chhatraleague, Juboleague and Awami League cadres have attacked and vandalized at least 24 houses at Satkania, Chittagong. They ransacked the homes and looted when they did not find any male member s at home and harassed the females during the raid as well.114 The Joint Forces have continued their operation at Satkhira on the homes of Jamaat activists. At least 10 homes have been destroyed by bulldogers during the operation on the homes of Jamaat activists at Satkhira Sadar, Kaliganj and Koloroa upazilla, vandalizing and looting taking lace simultaneously. 115 The Joint forces and Awami League goons have continued to attack and ransack the homes of Jamaat leaders at Satkhira. The have attacked the homes of hundreds of Jamaat activists and when not finding them there, ransacked and looted from the houses. Ameer of Satkhira district Jamaat and Secretary both have condemned the attacks and have stated that the Awami League activists have established a scenario unseen in history of looting and vandalizing.116 At least 144 voting stations in 36 districts have been destroyed ahead of the national elections all over the country. No foreign inspection is to take pace in the elections as no international organization agreed to send inspection teams for the elections. 117 At least 11 schools have been set on fire one day before the national elections. The schools were set up as voting stations for the elections. 118
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MP of Noahali Sadar seat and Awami League leader Ekramul Haque have fired upon a procession of the opposition. The MP fired upon the procession with the gun of a policeman, local people alleged.119

The activists of Awami League have threatened the voters that they must attend the voting polls during the national elections at Vola 3 seat. The general people have allege that the threats were made openly by the Awami League cadres.120

Police have arrested 71 people during the country wide strike called by the 18 party alliance. At Narsingdi, police arrested the parents and siblings of a Chhatradal leader, when the Police failed to arrest him during a raid conducted upon his house.121

Awami League and RAB have fired upon a procession brought out by the 18 party opposition alliance at Jessore. They open fired when the [rocession was brought out.122

Chhatraleague cadres have posted thousands of fake votes during the national elections all over the country. At some voting stations, the number of votes casted had been a little over a hundred during the whole day but suddenly at the end, the number rose beyond several thousands as Chhatraleague activists closed th gates of the voting stations and posted the ballots themselves. 123

The national elections have taken place with the voters mostly absent from the voting stations at the capital of Dhaka. Awami League activists have given false votes during the voting, even in the presence of law enforcing agencies all over Dhaka. 124

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Jubo League and Awami League leaders have paid taka 200 to every voters who had come to vote at the Dhaka 18 seat. The number of votes cast during the morning had been a record low but Awmi League cadres arranged for fake votes to be cast during the day.125

Disguised Awami League men have attacked the homes of Jamaat activists at Moheshour, Jhineidah. The victims include the Ameer of Moheshour UP Abdul Hai and Pourasava Ameer Mokbul Hossain and several other Jamaat activists. The attacker looted the homes of the victims and set fire upon their houses.126

Voters were absent from the voting stations even at Gopalganj, the fort of Awami League during the national elections. Local Awami League cadres dominated the elections as theye casted thousands of fake votes during the elections.127

Less than 5% votes have been cast at the Dhaka 7 seat in the national elections. Local Awami League activists casted hundreds of fake votes as the real voters did not come to the polling stations to vote. 128

At least 27 people have died all over the countryon the day of the national elections. At least 200 voting stations were set on fire at 50 districts. The speculation had been that 20% vote would have been cast. But the rea scenario was far worse as 10-15 votes had been cast on an averageat the voting stations.129

Not a single vote was cast in at least 31 centers in six districts across the county in the 10th Jatiya Sangsad election. At the village home of forcibly disappeared BNP leader Elias Ali, no voter entered the polling center at Ramdana Government Primary School

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under Biswanath upazila in Sylhet, said the presiding officer, Bazlur Rahman. Local people said they had protested the enforced disappearance of Elias Ali. Some 1,910 voters were to cast their votes at the center, said the presiding officer.130 The candidate of Jatiya Party for the Coxs Bazar 4 seat has announced to forfeit his run as ocal Awami League MP and candidate Abdur Rahman Badi and his tema completely corrupted the electoral proces and casted thousands of illegal votes. The Awami League candidate himslef casted 1000 fake votes, demanded the Jatiya Party candidate. 131 The Joint Forces have attacked and vandalized taka 5 crore worth of business properties at Pabna. Police also arrested 20 activists of BNP and Jamaat and sentenced them to 2 years in prison instantly.132 Leaders of Jessore district BNP have claimed that the Police are threatening them with murder after the elections. Police have arrested more than 200 BNP activists while Awami League goons have looted and vandalized the homes of several BNP activists in the area.133 An Awami League leader have been caught during lighting up his own school to blame BNP and Jamaat activists at Shahjahanpur, Bogra. The incident took place as Headmaster Abdul Mannan tried to set fire on his own school to blame the opposition.134 Police have arrested 2 leaders of BNP at Barguna on charges of illegal activities duing th election day.135

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The Joint Forces have continued their attacks on Jamaat activists during the raids at Gaibandha, Nilfamari, Koloroa and Monoharganj. They vandalized the homes of Jamaat activists and arrested many including women. 136

Awami League activists have set fire upon a Mandir or Holy Shrine of the Hindu religion at Kolomkanda, Netrokona. The Awami League activists set fire upon the Mandir after the election results did not go in their favor.137

The Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee has demanded that the Police be given the right to shoot on sight as post election violence erupted all over the country.They condemned the attacks strongly.138

Police have arrested 22 activists of Jamaat from the Namaj E Zanajah or funeral of Prof. A. K. M. Nazir Ahmed from Mirpur. The Central Naeeb E Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat E Ismai died after suffering from a stroke after hearing the news of the arrest of his son.
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The life of the Principal of Morelganj Madrasah Maulana Abdul Bari hangs in the air as he fights on to live after a vicious attack on him left him severely injured. The maulana was attacked by local Chhatraleague after he did not attend the national elections.140

Awami League goons have attacked and severely injured an activist of Bangladesh salmi Chhatrashibir at Satkhira Sadar upazilla. The victim, Al Amin was playing beside his house when local Awami League cadres attacked him, cut his veins and beat him

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severely. Al Amins mother and other female family members were also injured during the attack. Al Amin was later arrested by the Police.141 Police of the Shah Makhdum thana of Rajshahi City Corporation have continued to arrest innocent general people of the area and harrass them by taking bribe money. The Police threaten that if the money is not paid then the arrested would be tortued or even killed. Police have denied the allegations.142 A leader of the Hindhu, Buddhist, Christian Alliance Parishad has alleged that Awami League activists are attacking and torturing the minority Hindu people of Bagladesh. He made the accusations while giving an interview to BBC after post election violence erupted all over the country.143 Police have sealed off the office of the Narayanganj branch BNP at the DIT commercial area of the city. BNP leaders have condemned the Police for the closure of their office. They were holding a programme at their office when the raid was conducted.144 Police have mounted a raid upon the central office of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir and have taken into their custody 5 vans of publication brought out by the organization for the new year. The President of Chhatrashbir Md. Abdul Zabbar have strongly condemned the looting of the materials and have demanded that the govt. open up the central office of the organization immediately.145 At least 5,185 BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men have been sued on various charges in Dinajpur and Sherpur districts. In Faridpur, 66 leaders and activists of the 18-party alliance were sent to jail. According to our Dinajpur correspondent, at least 5,150 Jamaat141 142

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Shibir and BNP men of Parbatipur upazila were sued in 6 separate cases on charge of creating anarchy, setting fire to vote centres and burning electoral materials on January 5. The presiding officers of the 16 centres in the upazila filed the cases with Parbatipur police station.146 Awami League candidate for the national elections for Jessore Monirampur seat Tipu Sultan have ensured the releas of his cadre Adam Ali from the court. Ealier he had surrounded the local Police office in demand of the release of Adam after he had been arrested for pocesion of arms .147 Police have conducted a raid on the Daily Inqilab and sealde off its server room and premises. They also arrested its 4 leading journalsts during the raid. Police also filed a case against the Editor and Publisher of the newspapare under the ICT law.148 Chhatraleague activists have clashed among themselves at a meeting of Awami League after the elections at Chittagong. The clashes took lace in presenc eof the new Awami League minister Eng. Mosharraf Hossain in demand of posts in the Chhatraleague committee.149 Awami League goons have attacked and attempted to murder Jamaat activists Nobir Uddin at Boraigram upazilla. The Jamaat activist is the President of 6 no. ward branch of the organization.150 Unknown goons have attacked the house of a Jmaat activist and set fire upon his poultry farm. Te incident took place at Sitakunda upon victim Mohiuddin.151

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At least 28 people have been shot and over 100 people injured during the raid conducted by the joint forces at Sundarganj, Gaibandha. During the raid, looting and vandalism took place at an unprecedented scale, the local people have alleged. The joint forces conducted the raid in the name of arresting terrorists.152

Chhatraleague cadres have wrecked havoc on the homes of the activists of BNP and Jamaat at Sitakunda, Chittagong. The Chhatraleague cadres attacked, vandalized and looted from the homes of several local activists of the opposition allaiance. Police however, did nothing but watch during the attacks.153

Leaders of Awami Juba League, the ruling Awami League-backed youth organisation, snatched away tender box along with the submitted bids for construction of three school buildings in Lakshmipur. Witnesses said that at around noon Juba League leaders led by Raipur upazila unit convener Quamrul Hasan Russell dashed into the office of the Local government Engineering Department at Raipur and snatched the tender box and took away the bids submitted by contractors. The department had invited tender for the construction of the three school buildings under Primary Education Development ProjectIII at an estimate cost of Tk 2.20 crore. Witnesses said the Juba League men first took away the tender box from the office and then broke it in front of upazila complex and took away the bids.154

Human Rights organiazation Ain O Shalish Kendro has claimed that 57 has been killed at the hands of the law enforcing agencies over the first 21 days of the year 2014. They

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have claimed that the unlawful killings has led to the severe deterioration of the law and order scenario of the country.155 Chhatraleague and Juboleague have begun fighting for tender at Barisal division. After the elections they began their illegal activities on full scale.156 At least 24,500 BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men have been sued on charge of carrying out destructive activities in 11 upazilas of the district during and after the January 5 national elections. District police sources said the presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and police filed 124 cases with respective police stations in the last 15 days since January 7. In the cases, the complainants accused the BNP and Jamaat-Shibir activists of vandalising polling centres, looting ballot papers and ballot boxes, intimidating votes and attacking Hindus for casting votes. According to police sources, 2900 opposition activists were sued in Parbatipur, 2250 in Birampur, 2050 in Phulbari, 2800 in Birganj, 2650 in Chirirbandar, 3400 in Dinajpur Sadar, 2150 in Kaharol, 1500 in Khansama, 1500 in Nawabganj, 1150 in Hakimpur, and 2150 in Ghoraghat upazilas.157 The Ameer of Savar Poura branch of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islami Zahirul Islam has been arrested by the Police. He was arrested from his home.158 Joint forces allegedly violently ransacked houses and arrested women relatives of some opposition activists as they conducted raids across the country to arrest the opposition leaders and activists. Joint forces comprising the police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion raided houses of several opposition leaders across the country. Family members of Dhaka city (north) unit Juba Dal president Mamun Hasan said that
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the joint forces raided their Mirpur house at the dead of night. Failing to find him, the joint forces vandalised the furniture, trashed all the mobile phones in the house and then moved to Mamuns brother Mahbub Hasans house next door and carried out similar carnage, they alleged. The joint forces picked up Mamuns two teenager nieces and their mother, Mamuns sister-in-law. Next morning, when Mamuns sister went to Mirpur police station to serve food to them, the police also arrested her, family sources said.159

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Assault on Freedom of Expression and Media

Ruling Awami League-backed student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League occupied Shaheed Minar premises in Narayanganj where Shantrash Nirmul Twaki Mancha was scheduled to hold a programme marking completion of ten months of killing college boy Tanvir Mohammad Twaki. The Mancha was formed protesting against the murder of Tawki, an A-level student who had gone missing on March 6, 2013 and the police had recovered the body on March 8, 2013 from a canal of the river Sitalakhya in Narayanganj. The Mancha has been staging protests claiming that local Awami League leader Shamim Osmans family was involved in the killing.160 Detectives sealed off the press, shutdown IT facilities and detained four journalists raiding The Daily Inqilab office in the capital. The four arrested journalists of the Bangla daily are: Robiullah Robi, news editor, Rafique Mohammad, deputy chief reporter, Ahmed Atique, diplomatic correspondent, and Afzal Bari, senior reporter, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The Daily Star. The law enforcers also shutdown the main server room and seized three computers in the 2-hour-long drive, the police official said. Earlier police filed a case against the editor, publisher, chief news editor and a reporter of the newspaper for publishing a report titled, "Indian army assist joint force operation in Satkhira".161 A court in Dhaka sent the three journalists of the daily Inqilab, who were arrested, to jail after the police had produced them in the court in a case filed under the Information and

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Communication Technology Act with the Wari police in the capital Dhaka. The newspaper in its online edition, however, apologised for publishing a report headlined Indian troops help in joint forces operation in Satkhira on its front page on January 16 for which the journalists faced the case. After the case had been lodged, law enforcers raided the Inqilab office, sealed its printing press and picked up news editor Robiullah Robi, acting chief reporter Rafique Mohammad, staff reporter Atikur Rahman and computer operator Abdus Shahid.162

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Loot and Corruption

At least seven shops of Sadar upazila unit BNP vice-president Sayedur Rahman Bhutu were torched by criminals at Shakchar Kacharibari in Sadar upazila of the district. A shop tenant, named Rubel Hossain, received burn injuries in the fire. Lutfar Rahman Chowdhury, father of the BNP leader, said a gang all of a sudden came to the spot early in the morning and torched the seven shops on the Laxmipur-Majuchowdhury Road by pouring petrol and fled the scene. On information, one fire fighting unit from Laxmipur town rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze after one hour of frantic efforts. The extent of losses from the arson could go up to Tk50 lakh, added Lutfar Rahman.163

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Intervening in Legal Procedure and Manipulation of Administrative Power

In Shatkhira, an injured Shibir man was arrested by police. He was already wounded by bullets. Police later placed him in Shatkhira Sadar Hospital. 164 Awami League cadres along with the Joint armed forces have led a vicious attack on at least 200 homes. The incident took place at Chehelgazi union of Dinajpur. The Awami League cadres attacked the homes, vandalized and looted from them. The victims also included local UP Chairman and BNP leader Anisur Rahman Badshah and his house.165 Police and Awami lEague have filed cases all over the country against thousands of activists of the opposition after cviolent clashes erupted during and after the electons. Police have conducted raids to arrest the BNP and opposition activists all over the country as well.166 Local leaders and activists of ruling Awami League were seen moving in groups in and around the polling stations at Mirpur, Banani, Uttara, Ashkona and Gulshan among other areas in the capital flouting electoral conduct rules. Lawmen seemed to have ignored the violation of conduct rules at the polling centres which had remarkably thin attendance as the voting began on t 8am and continued till 4pm in 59 districts out of 64 amidst violence and vandalism in many places. At some centres in Dhaka, teenagers were allowed to enter the booths, allegedly to stuff balloting, as there were no polling agents to dispute casting of votes by anyone in the controversial 10th parliamentary polls boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led 18 party alliance.
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Police have conducted a raid at the house of the Secretary of Islami University branch of Chhatradal and vandalized and looted from the house. Local AwamiLEague and Chhatraleague cadres also took part in the operation.168

Awami League leader and minister Adv. Kamrul Islam has said that in orderto maintain the law and order situation, the govt. will arrest all BNP leaders if necesasry. He made the threat at a meeting of Dhaka City Awam League.169

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