Breaking: Rough Drive in Karwan Bazaar
[Warning: Graphic pictures of dead protestor.]
An urgent invitation for the much talked about army deployment. Not from the “violent” (reportedly enjoying Baul songs as this happened) 14-party activists, but from the boys in blue. Unconfirmed reports say, 2 more died at the hospital.
Update: AL media office confirms 2 deaths and identifies 4 police officers responsible,
Deputy commissioner of Police Kohinoor Mian , Giasuddin Rimon, Asst. Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police who had been a former activist of DU JCD, student wing of BNP, Qamrul Islam & Mahbubur Rahman officer-in-charge of Tejgaon and Ramna police station undertook this merciless mission to annihilate supporters of the peaceful blockade that is now clamped throughout the country for the second day.
BDNEWS is reporting,
Police drive through activists, kill one in Karwan Bazaar
Kailash Sarker, Rafiq Zaman & Abu Sufian.
bdnews24.com Staff CorrespondentsDhaka, November 13 (bdnews24.com) — At least one blockade supporter died Monday after a police van sped through activists of the 14-party alliance in Karwan Bazaar without provocation.
Up to 60 people were injured in the Karwan Bazaar mayhem on the second day of blockade enforced by the Awami League and its 13 allies. Protest leaders alleged that the police deliberately drove the car through the crowd, and appeared to be letting the situation deteriorate so the army could be called in.
Awami League leader HBM Iqbal was taken to Samorita Hospital with wounds. Iqbal, a former MP, was in Karwan Bazaar to lead alliance supporters to enforce the blockade.
bdnews24.com Staff Correspondent Kailash Sarkar saw the body at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and he could be 40 years old. But Awami League Secretary for Tejgaon unit Shamim Hasan, also a ward commissioner, said the man who died in Karwan Bazaar was Wajiullah, an Awami Jubo League leader from Tejgaon ward 37. AL’s student chapter Bangladesh Chhatra League President for Tejgaon Jasimuddin gave the same details.
Folk singer Delwar Hossain who was there to sing for the 14-party alliance told bdnews24.com the police teargassed and jetted hot water on people on stage, prompting them to run to safety. Delwar said he saw a police van come out of nowhere and drive through the activists before it disappeared.
A bdnews24.com correspondent on the spot said the incident was reminiscent of the 1983 killings of Dhaka University students in similar fashion. On Feb 14, two leading student activists — Selim and Delwar — were killed when a police truck ran over them.
Angry activists set ablaze another police van waiting on guard near the Saarc Fountain in front of Dhaka Sonargaon Hotel prompting law enforcers to fire bullets into the rampaging activists, witnesses said. Our Staff Correspondents Kailash Sarker and Rafiq Zaman reported from Karwan Bazaar that tension was running high in the area, home to media organisations, banks, businesses and several large state corporations. Tejgaon Officer in Charge Kamrul Islam said he was not aware of which police van it was, but said the death came after the van drove through the area to escape public wrath.
November 13th, 2006 at 6:50 am
I thought these things happened in Iraq only.
Who dispatched the police van? Who were the officers driving it? Shouldn’t the law enforcers involved be punished?
Should Iajuddin be held accountable…because it happened on his watch?
Is there really a group who’s trying to create a big ruckus so that army could be deployed?
November 13th, 2006 at 8:37 am
Good piece by ex-BIISS head in the DStar
http://thedailystar.net/2006/11/13/d61113020325.htm
November 13th, 2006 at 8:39 am
I was shaking with rage when I saw it at 12pm NTV news while Supon Roy reporting on the camera. Iajuddin must be held accountable for this.
Army won’t be deployed. Please see Channel i (eye) news tonight. Hasan Mashud Chowdhury said they have cancelled army deployment order because they felt is lacked proper proceedings and had wrong & bad motivation. I’ve been telling this from the beginning. IF army’s deployed 14 Parties won’t stop their protests and army officers/soldiers will not do anything that will harm the nation. BNP only has police with them now. Army and BDR won’t play their rotten dirty games.
November 13th, 2006 at 8:48 am
[...] was recorded on NTV camera live while Supon Roy reporting. Editional: 7:45pm, Nov 13 2006 Drishtipat.org/Blog has now published further on this news with a compila [...]
November 13th, 2006 at 9:53 am
This is a dispeakable murder. I was stunned as I watched it for the first time on NTV.
How can this happen under a caretaker administration?
This should tell people who’s in charge.
Iajuddin is a spineless man who has sold out.
I am so mad, I am almost shaking!
November 13th, 2006 at 11:02 am
You need to think first who are creating problems.
November 13th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Rezwan, perhaps you’d like to tell us?
November 13th, 2006 at 11:51 am
I agree with Rezwan. But, while it is important to first identify the elements responsible for the crisis Bangladesh as country is facing today, it is virtually impossible to hold any single factor responsible. Is it BNP, AL, Jamat, the leftists, RAW, CIA…….?! Instead of having an emotional outcry for what is happening to Bangladesh today (regardless of the cruel incidents), may be it will be better if we do not start believing whatever BNP or AL says after these deplorable incidents. What I am suggesting is that as rational people, we should formulate our own theory before pointing finger based on press release by BNP or AL.
I may be wrong, but as far as I know, both Kohinoor Mia & Mahbub were made OSD last week. If they were indeed made OSD and actually led this murders(s), then there can be no argument but to accept that BNP was for sure behind these murders and creating a deeper crisis, to justify calling out the army. As I am not in BD currently, I cannot say for sure. May be someone in Dhaka can corroborate my information.
I see our friend Nazina is still optimistic and believes that army will not come out. I wish I could agree with her…
Cheers
November 13th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
The caretaker govt system and the EC was meant to be neutral. This year, BNP has turned the CTG system into a joke and a fraud.
Why? Only one purpose. To win the election at any cost, and to make Tarek’s hold on power permanent.
Which part of this statement do you disagree with, Rezwan? More intellectual honesty is required from Bangladesh’s leading blogger.
November 13th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
For your kind information Kohinoor Mia was not made OSD. He is an ASP. OSD is applicable only for The Secretary. Kohinoor Mia was again involved to arrest six women leaders.
I am surprised some members are asking for the responsibility of such thing. Is It not bit funny that in a civilized society public servant police is become monster and some member is supporting Those black sheep on the name of Impartiality.
November 13th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
personally, i think the issue of the army being deployed all hinges on what happens tomorrow, when bnp and jamaat hit the streets with awami league. although i’m not sure which six areas of dhaka the two parties have decided to stage their programs in, i’m sure that, given the events on october 28 and 29, there’s going to be a massive amount of trouble over the next few days. once the inter-party fighting escalates, i have no doubt the army will have to be called in. for real, this time.
[Read the blog on the public sentiment titled “demand” (i.e., jonogoner egaro dofa dabee) ; http://blog.electrikblues.com/?p=120.
November 13th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
The commenter No 6. should have one identifier link. Because he has the same name as mine.
About the quote: “You need to think first who are creating problems.”:
Its pathetic how one can endorse this criminal act (or the persons killed with logi/boitha) with any logic. The people of Bangladesh have been pushed to this position because they take sides with emotions and with less logic. Lets call a spade a spade irrespective of which marka we carry.
November 13th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1210025978229776205
Somebody went to a lot of trouble to create this video.
I think people need to see this. but I will just put up one warning - it is very very disturbing to watch, so if you are weak-hearted, please don’t.
CAUTION: THE VIDEO FOOTAGES ARE EXTREMELY GRAPHIC!!
This is what happens when Naked Greed becomes the primary reason to win and keep power.
November 13th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Can someone post full text/transcript of army’s decision not to deploy. We need to understand the legal ramifications and precedence. If army is refusing to be drawn into this game, it’s at least one healthy sign.As much data as possible needs to come out, so please post as much info as you can–including translations of Bangla text.
November 13th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
A very sad incident. Kohinoor miah was closed first, then again the decision was reversed along with 32 other SPs transfer decision. KOhinoor miah was involved in a lot of violence on the streets in the last five years. I wonder how he is still in chair even two weeks after the CG has assumed power.
November 13th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
innalilla..
police never get it right.
either they fall asleep (like a few weeks ago when the death toll was 10x higher) or they go ape.
who will look after the dead mans dependants? he is a dehumanised piece of political capital now. what was his story?
November 13th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
It seems to me that Kohinoor Miah believes that 4 party alliance will come to power again. May be he is thinking that alliance is still in power. I donot know whether Kohinoor Miah will ever get the punishment he deserves. I remember Rakibul Huda,a mastermind behind Chittagong massacre during Ershad period, got promotion during early 90s Khaleda Zia regime.
November 14th, 2006 at 2:05 am
*Section 144 in Pabna
*BNP to hold rallies at 18 locations in Dhaka
*Advisers to meet JP at 4pm, LDP at 6pm, BNP at 8pm
November 14th, 2006 at 4:08 am
More on Kohinoor Miah’s past activities:
http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2006/03/15/shanta-and-the-kohinoor-of-bangladesh/
January 8th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Where was Drishtipat outrage when Awami League activits killed people with stick and pole? By the look and opinion it seems this is another waste ground for Awami league leaning agenda. You are welcome to prove otherwise.
January 8th, 2007 at 2:18 am
hmmm.. I was going to paste a link but then I realised before hurling the accusation, it should have been your job to find out more about other entries. So, I respectfully suggest you to look up our reactions when the incident happened from the archieve. So yes i’d be happy to prove your wrong but please do due diligence before sending random accusation.