Tue 26 Feb 2008
We received a copy of an email from Prof Anu Muhammad stated below. The professor’s clear principled positions have rattled quite a few and he has successfully managed to put together a strong coalition of groups in protecting national interest in the government’s dealing concerning national coal and gas. We’d like to demand extra protection and security for him as he has now clearly become a high value target in this game of high stakes.
Last night (21-22 Feb) at 12.16 I received a phone call. The caller identified himself as Mahmud Hasan. He started referring my writings on Phulbari. ‘Why you are writing all these? Stop
writing. Why you talk in TV programmes? Stop these.’He continued saying, ‘this is time for your retirement. Take final retirement. You have done enough.’
At the end he said, ‘no more speaking in dialogues, discussions or seminars from now on. If you do, we will use human bomb to blow you up.’ - Anu
You can read more of Anu Muhammad’s recent pieces at New Age here.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Professor Anu Muhammad in a key figure in resisting the sale of what little natural resources Bangladesh has to foreign corporates and enriching the pockets of domestic interests who are involved in this sale.
The public may not understand the environmental damage that is created and may not be aware of how other citizens of the country are adversely affected by these energy projects. Without voices like Professor Anu Muhammad, Bangladesh will be reduced to a country of helpless displaced people who are ruled by an unaccountable elite who sell the country to the first buyer who gives them the largest commission.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Professsor Anu Muhammad has been a man who has always engaged in the life of our people and who has spoken out for people’s interests. For this he is now an enemy of forces arrogant enough to pick up the phone and give a death threat, just like that.
These dark forces would like the entire country to be a jail cell, all of us to remain resigned, silent and in exile in our own homeland.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
More from Prothom Alo
Anu Muhammad ke ki chup hoye jete hobe?
http://www.prothom-alo.com/mcat.news.details.php?nid=ODU4MTA=&mid=Mw==
February 28th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Is there anything we can do collectively? Appeal, protest, or demand his security from the govt?