Released on: September 27, 2007, 12:25 pm

Press Release Author: Raymond Hause

Industry:

Press Release Summary: Believe it or not! Former state minister for Home Affairs in
Bangladesh, Lutfozzaman Babar, who played remarkably courageous role in combating
Islamist militancy and terrorists, now faces trial into a false arms case.

Press Release Body: Believe it or not! Former state minister for Home Affairs in
Bangladesh, Lutfozzaman Babar, who played remarkably courageous role in combating
Islamist militancy and terrorists, now faces trial into a false arms case. According
to Bangladeshi police, the virtually junk pistol was recovered from Babar's
residence, during his arrest. But, the fact is little more than what Bangladeshi law
enforcing agencies say. Mr. Babar was picked up from his residence at Dhaka's posh
Gulshan area, when members of Joint Forces (combining police and army) went into a
comprehensive search. However, after a hour-long search they found nothing illegal
thus simply escorting the former state minister for home affairs to Dhaka
Cantonment. In the evening, the members of Joint Force came back. This time, they
were already having the pistol, which they were set to show to have been recovered
from Lutfozzaman Babar's house. One of the brother-in-laws of the former Home
Minister was forced to sign a documents of so-called seizure list on gun point and
was instructed to remain silent, if they cared to see him (the arrested home
minister) alive. The entire family, including the wife of Babar and his children
were so terrified that, they were virtually made mum at such state patronized
atrocity. One of the members of the Joint Forces even threatened Babar's wife of
taking her as well in custody if there was any sign of protest from her or if the
information on the mock recovery was some how leaked to the press. The feared wife
and other members of the family had no option but to remain silent on the entire
drama, which took place right in front of their eyes.

Before going into details about the mock trial of the former home minister, let me
give brief on his courageous role during his office. Babar was given the sole
responsibility of running Bangladesh's home minister, despite the fact that he was
amongst the youngest in the Khaleda Zia's cabinet. Khaleda appointed Altaf Hussain
Chowdhury, a former chief of air force in the post of home minister after her party
swiped a clean majority in the general election of 2001. But, the former air chief
continued to fail in delivering any good to the government or the nation being the
home minister in BNP government. Later, fed up Ms. Zia removed Altaf from the post
of home minister and assigned Babar to take up the challenge when Bangladesh was
witnessing rise of radical Islam and various Islamist militancy groups, including
Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) and Khatmey Nabuat. Because of nefarious
activities of Khatmey Nabuat, the religious minority group named Ahmedia were thrown
into reign of horror in the country, thus every week, members of the ultra-radical
group was either attacking some of the Ahmedia mosques or destructing business
establishments owned by this community. On the other hand, members of JMB were
active in killing innocent people in the Southern part of the country as well
kidnapping, raping and even murdering Hindus. Such atrocious moves by JMB were
silently backed and even patronized by members of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB)
and some of the members of Khaleda'z cabinet like Ruhul Quddus Dulu and Alamgir
Kabir. Babar knew with certainty that combating JMB, Khatmey Nabuat and other
Islamist militancy groups was no joke. But, he had no choice but to fight back being
the youngest home minister in Bangladesh.

Lutfozzaman Babar initially picked up a group of highly effective members of Rapid
Action Battalion (RAB) and gave them proper motivation in combating Islamist radical
forces in the country. Members of this elite force, who houses selected members of
armed forces, took up the challenge of cleansing Bangladesh from the dirt of JMB,
Khatmey Nabuat and other Islamist forces. In just one year, the organization showed
remarkable success in nabbing more than one dozens of top grading king pins of JMB
thus making a massive offensives on each of the bases of this notorious group. The
home minister was successful in pressurizing members of Khatmey Nabuat thus ensuring
safety and peace to the Ahmedia religious group. He also ensured that, none of the
members of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or religious minority groups in Bangladesh
face any sort of threat of repression from the notorious religious fanatics. He went
into personally guarding the Hindu temples during Durga Puja to ensure the Hindus in
celebrating their religious festival in complete security and festivity.

Lutfozzaman Babar even played important role in easing tensions with Bangladesh's
borders with India and also did everything possible on his side to show country's
commitments towards War on Terror. A number of absconding Bangladeshi born American
citizen, having affiliations with terrorist activities were handed over to US law
enforcing agencies, which in many cases annoyed the pro-radical coalition partners
in the government.

The junior minister was vividly critical on a number of top corrupts in the BNP
government including some of the close aides of the former Prime Minister's son and
a political office of BNP named Hawa Bhaban. At one stage, he even sought Khaleda
Zia's consent in nabbing a number of top corrupts in the country, including some of
the 'most powerful' figures. But, Khaleda turned down his requests. This was the
beginning for Babar to become active in searching mates in demanding a comprehensive
reform in Bangladeshi politics thus making an end to the culture of Family
inheritance of power.

Even after the political change in Bangladesh on January 11 2007, Babar was amongst
the very few delighted persons who was always hoping a bright Bangladesh under the
leadership of Dr. Fakhrudding Ahmed with the support and assistance of the members
of Bangladeshi armed forces.

But, some questioned elements even within the interim government continued to
conspire to put this man in to trouble. And, finally they plotted a conspiracy in
getting Lutfozzaman Babar arrested thus being alleged of possessing an illegal arms.
It is a question in the minds of many as to why a former home minister should
possess illegal weapon. The man is a victim of in-party conspiracy, said a senior
diplomat in Dhaka.

Interim government in Bangladesh is continuing to deliver many excellent works under
the leadership of former World Bank official Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed. The country is
now set to make a fresh journey towards a new Bangladesh of infinite possibility. At
this junction, certainly Dr. Ahmed's government cannot afford to bear the blame of
putting a false charge on a man and let him face a mock trial. No doubt, the present
special tribunals in Bangladesh giving verdicts on cases lodged under the State of
Emergency lack required transparency and accountability. If it will convict Babar
for a 'crime' he never committed, certainly it will not be a good example for the
interim government in the small south Asian country.

Let the interim government punish the culprits while let the innocents be freed from
false allegations. This will brighten their face to the international community. A
real friend of war on terror like Lutfozzaman Babar deserves appreciation from the
present interim government for his past record of accomplishment of achievements.
The government can even enrich their knowledge on the activities of Islamist
militancy in Bangladesh in order to let the nation continue to enjoy safety from the
nefarious and heinous acts of the radicals, fanatics and terrorists from people like
Babar and use his knowledge and expertise in ensuring a safe Bangladesh.

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