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Monday 24 August 2009

Stop mischievous campaign about Chittagong Hill Tracts-CPB

Communist Party of Bangladesh has strongly condemned mischievous propaganda by interested quarters about limited withdrawal of Army from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

CPB President Manzurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim in a statement to the press said that certain quarters have started mischievous campaign against withdrawal of some troops from CHT. These quarters resorted to such provocative campaign of lies in the past and pushed the country into conspiracy and untoward incidents. The leaders mentioned that about a decade ago a Peace Treaty was signed in CHT. As a result of the agreement peace was established in the Hills, armed struggle and killing of Army personnel and other civilians come to an end. The whole world welcomed the peace treaty. BNP-Jamat alliance opposed the agreement and carried out propaganda that as a result of the agreement CHT will secede from Bangladesh. But when they came to power,they did not cancel the accord.. Now according to the peace accord,though belated a limited number of troops are being withdrawn. Even when the withdrawal of troops will be completed as envisaged in the treaty. 6 cantonments will remain in the area with troops armaments as in other cantonments allover the country.

Certain quarters are campaigning in such a way as if CHT was an occupied teritory and the Army is being withdrawn leaving the CHT in the hands of the enemies. It may be mentioned that despite apprehensions from certain quarters CHT has not seceded. Nor does any other country lay claim to CHT. On the other hand other than CHT in many other places we have border disputes since long.

Recently India and Myanmar has laid claims on Bangladesh Blocks in the Bay of Bengal earmarked for exploration of oil and gas. There was some military tension in the area. Actually preparations should be taken to give due attention to those areas.

Manzur and Selim said that we are of the opinion that the peace treaty and understanding should be implemented in full. It is not enough to withdraw troops but an end to the virtual Military rule in the area should be ensured.

As in other places of the country the Govt. and civil administration should take every measure so that the Paharis and Bangalees can live in peace in the area. The political leadership has also a great responsibility in this matter. Provocations against each other, disrupting peace process and again pushing towards a war situation etc will give rise to a dangerous crisis. If we look into recent tragic events in several countries of the present day world we can realize this danger. Chittagong Hill Tracts is an integral part of Bangladesh. If at any time our sovereignty is threatened due to imperialist conspiracy additional troops can always be sent like in other such areas. The Adibasis, Bangalees, Hindus, Muslim, Budhdhist, Christians all are equal citizens with equal rights and dignity. The rights and honor of all of them must be ensured to consolidate the independence and integrity of Bangladesh.

-20August, 2009 CPB Press Release.

Sunday 23 August 2009

রাখালের কলাম : ষড়যন্ত্র এখনও চলিতেছে

রাখালের কলাম--------------
ষড়যন্ত্র এখনও চলিতেছে

বিশ্বের সর্বাপেক্ষা শক্তিধর সন্ত্রাসী রাষ্ট্র মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের রাষ্ট্রদূত মরিয়ার্টি সম্প্রতি বলিয়াছেন, বাঙালির একটি দোষ তাহারা সবকিছুতেই ষড়যন্ত্র দেখে। হ্যাঁ, ষড়যন্ত্র দেখাটা খুবই অন্যায়, ষড়যন্ত্র করাটা মোটেই অন্যায় নহে। মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র হইতেছে বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে বড় ষড়যন্ত্রকারী। তাহাদের বিদেশনীতি এবং কূটনীতি বারোআনী হইতেছে ষড়যন্ত্র-হত্যাকান্ড--অন্তর্ঘাত, রাষ্ট্রীয়ভাবে এবং ভাড়াটিয়ার মাধ্যমে সন্ত্রাস পরিচালনা, সংঘাত-সংঘর্ষ-গণহত্যা ও প্রকাশ্য যুদ্ধ। মার্কিনীরা নিজেদের আইন, আন্তর্জাতিক আইন, জাতিসংঘের আইন, শত সহস্র বৎসর ধরিয়া গড়িয়া ওঠা আন্তর্জাতিক রীতিনীতি লঙ্ঘন করিতেছে। তাহাদের ভাষায় ‘মার্কিন স্বার্থ’ রক্ষায় জগতে এমন কোনো অপরাধ নাই যাহা করিতে তাহারা দ্বিধা করে। মার্কিনীরা পুঁজিবাদী যে নিয়ম-কানুন রীতিনীতি আছে প্রয়োজনে তাহাও লঙ্ঘন করিতে পিছপা হয় না। যে ব্রিটেন উডস্ সমঝোতার মধ্যে বিশ্বব্যাংক, আইএমএফ, ডব্লিওটিও-র জন্ম সেই সমঝোতাও এককভাবে প্রথম লঙ্ঘন করিয়াছে মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। বিদেশে সাম্রাজ্যবাদীদের কী নীতি হয় তাহা খুব স্পষ্ট করিয়া বলিয়াছিলেন ব্রিটিশ প্রধানমন্ত্রী স্যার এ্যাটলি। “Britain has no principles beyond its borders only interests. অর্থাৎ“ব্রিটেনের সীমান্তের বাহিরে তাহার কোনো নীতি নাই, আছে শুধু স্বার্থ”।
সারা বিশ্বে কত হত্যা সন্ত্রাস সংঘঠিত হইয়াছে এই মার্কিনীদের নির্দেশে তাহার কোনো ইয়ত্তা নাই। তথ্য অধিকার আইন অনুসারে সিআইএ-সহ বিভিনড়ব সংস্থার কিছু কিছু দলিলপত্র প্রকাশিত হইতেছে। সাম্প্রতিক কালে বঙ্গবন্ধু হত্যাকান্ড-কে কেন্দ্র করিয়া বিভিনড়ব মার্কিন দলিলপত্র প্রকাশিত হইয়াছে। প্রথম
আলো পত্রিকায় তাহা লইয়া বিস্তারিত ও গবেষণামূলক লেখা প্রকাশিত হইয়াছে। তবে এখনও প্রকাশিত দলিলপত্রে দেখা যায় কিছু গুরুত্বপূর্ণ লাইন বোঝা যাইতেছে না, অথবা কালো কালি দিয়া কাটিয়া দেওয়া হইয়াছে। তবু যাহা জানা যায় তাহা লোমহর্ষক।
যাহা হউক, আসল কথায় আসি। মরিয়ার্টি সাহেব হঠাৎ করিয়া কেন বলিলেন, বাঙালিরা সবকিছুতেই ষড়যন্ত্র দেখে! তিনি এবং তাহার উর্ধ্বতন কর্তারা কিছুদিন আগে সাফাই গাহিয়াছেন, আমরা ১/১১-এর সহিত জড়িত ছিলাম না। একে একে কয়েকজন রাষ্ট্রদূত এইরূপ সাফাই গাহিয়াছেন। সেইসব লইয়া গত সংখ্যায় আলোচনা করিয়াছি। তাহাদের কথা সত্য হইলে বুঝিতে হইবে, ‘প্রিন্স অব ডেনমার্ক’ ছাড়াই ‘হ্যামলেট’ নাটকটি মঞ্চস্থ হইয়াছে। শেক্সপিয়ারের বিখ্যাত নাটক ‘হ্যামলেট’। হ্যামলেট ছিলেন প্রিন্স অব ডেনমার্ক অর্থাৎ ডেনমার্কের যুবরাজ। তাহাকে ছাড়া ‘হ্যামলেট’ কিভাবে মঞ্চস্থ হইতে পারে।
১/১১-এর পর ফখরুদ্দিন সাহেবের শপথ গ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠানে যাহারা উপস্থিত ছিলেন তাহারা দেখিয়াছেন কিভাবে বিজয়ীর বেশে মিজ বিউটিনেস, মিজ রেনেটা প্রমুখ দরবার হলে প্রবেশ করিলেন। হাত মিলাইলেন, পরস্পরকে চুম্বন করিলেন। সেই চুম্বন গিয়ে আমাদের সংবিধান বিশারদ ড. কামাল হোসেনের গন্ড-দেশেও পতিত হওয়ার উপμম হইয়াছিল। কিন্তু হায়! কোথা হইতে টিভি ক্যামেরা ও ফটো সাংবাদিকরা আসিয়া পড়িল। পারস্পরিক অভিনন্দনের

Wednesday 19 August 2009

CPB Pays Homage to Sheikh Mujib- Ekota Special Correspondant

Communist Party of Bangladesh paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founding leader of Bangladesh on the occasion of National Mourning Day,August 15 2009. On the same day in 1975 President Mujib was brutally assassinated along with his family members by a group of army officers. CPB President Manzurul Ahsan Khan said Mujib was killed by foreign & domestic conspirator to undo the achievement of the liberation struggle of 1971. He demanded immediate implementation of the court verdict,punishment of the convicts and also to identify and expose the international and national conspirators involved in the assassination plot. Manzur was giving his presidential speech at a meeting organized at the party’s central office in Dhaka. The meeting was also addressed by Party leader Shahidullah Choudhury, Morshed Ali, Prof. A.N Rasheda,Ahsan Habib Lavlu Ruhin Hossain Prince and Advocate Ziad Al Malum. Manzurul Ahsan Khan said the independence struggle of Bangladesh was a big set back for the US strategy in the region.Mujib took certain progressive measures which were disliked by reactionary circles.Imperialists were planning to take revenge in collaboration with the local reactionaries. Manzur said 34yrs have passed.,It is high time that all classified documents of that period with the US state department, CIA and other such organizations of UK, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh should be made open to public. Right to information is a fundamental human right which must be honored by all countries big or small. He said Bangabandhu was an outstanding leader of the people of Bangladesh who fought relentlessly for democracy, national rights and social progress. His personal acquaintance and relationship with the communists in prison and outside played a vital role in the making of his mental make up. Mujib was a dynamic leader who developed himself along with the mass movement and took radical position. Corruption, in-fighting and conspiracies within and outside the party led to his tragic assassination. CPB under the leadership of Comrade Farhad and others took the first initiatives to build up united struggle against the brutal murder and shift towards right reaction. Manzurul Ahsan Khan said after independence Bangabandhu advanced along the line of secularism, democracy, active non alignment, leading role of public sector with a mixed economy and progressive reforms. These progressive measures were being opposed from the very beginning by killer Mushtaq(who became President after the assassination)and other rightist elements in AL.At prsentAwami League seems to follow the line of Mushtaq. Eulogizing Mujib while abandoning his progressive ideas is an attempt to comodify Mujib for personal aggrandizement. Communists evaluate every leader in the context of his historical and socio-economical phase and class position. Communist own the great heritage of leaders of all the historical movements from Shidhu-Kanu who lead the first anti colonial armed revolt of indigeneous people, leaders of 1st Independence Struggle(Sepoy Mutiny), Khudiram and Shurjoshen, Gandhi, Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haq, Moulana Bhasani, Comrade Moni Singh and many other including Bangabandhu who brought independent Bangladesh into existence. It is the Communist Party which will have to gain enough strength to build up another revolution which will fulfill the dreams of Bangabandhu and the martyrs of our Great Liberation Struggle,and consolidate its achievements.

Saturday 15 August 2009

International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples

CPB President Manzurul Ahsan Khan said that the Adibasi, JanoJati or national minorities as you may call it must be given due recognition in the constitution of Bangladesh and all discrimination, killings, repression, exploitation and land grabbing should be stopped immediately. Inaugurating 2 day long programme of International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples (9th August) starting on the 8 th morning at the central Shahid Minar organized by Bangladesh Adibasi Forum. Manzur further said that if we really want to realize the dreams of millions Bangalees and Adibasis who died during the Independence Struggle of Bangladesh,we should immediately restore the 1972 constitution which is one of the most democratic and progressive constitution in the countries of the region. He said though the constitution is categorical against any form of racialism and discrimination, the 72 constitution did not ensure the constitutional rights of adibasis. Recently ruling party leaders are also talking about ammedments in the constitution such as increasing the number of women MP’s and reducing the tenure of elected Govt.The 1st amendment should be recognition of Adibasis after the restoration of 72’s constitution. He said necessary up dating, improvements and even promulgation of new laws should be made to ensure traditional land rights, right to forests, hills and water resources, progressive customs and practices.

CPB President expressed satisfaction about the withdrawal of Army units from Chittagong Hill Tracts. He said it was Sheikh Hasinas Govt. who signed a peace treaty ending the armed struggle of Pahari Adibasis. But unfortunately the then Awami League Govt could not or did not fully implement the peace accord. The BNP, Jamat Government opposed the treaty carried on repressive measures in the Hill Tracts and the region was under virtual Army Rule. He expressed surprise about recent statements of certain political parties criticizing the withdrawal of the Army from the Area. He asked is Chittagong Hill Tracts an occupied area? Is there a war going on? Has any country laid claims on Chittagong hill tracts? The army is being withdrawn according to the treaty. The treaty was not ammulled by BNP Jamat Govt. Even after the withdrawal of troops 6 contonments will be there. Army will remain in the cantonment like in all other places of the country. The main thing is Chittagong Hill Tracts will be under civilian control. No military rule, killing, crossfire, torture, intervention. Manzur said we have dispute regarding our borders in other areas. Other countries are claiming their ownership of land belonging to Bangladesh. Even the sea blocks earmarked for exploration of gas and oil are being claimed by Myanmar and India. Those parties should have demanded that our Army and Navy should be rushed to those places to protect our territory. Our Army is supposed to protect our territory and the people, not to fight our own people! He said off course if the US and their allies try to use the territory to proceed with their aggressive designs targeting Myanmar and China our Army will rush there to resist..Paying homage to Adibasis and their martyred and deceased, leaders Shidu, Kanu who led the 1st Armed Santal Revolt against the British Rulers, Tonko movement led by Comrade Moni Singh, Nachol Revolt of Sautals led by Ila Mitra, Nankar movement led by Comrade Ajoy Bhattacharia, Abdus Salam alias, Barin Dutta and Comrade Hena Das who died only recently at the age of 85.

M.N Larma a revolutionary who lead the armed resistance of Pahari Adibasis in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and recent martyars Kalpana Chakma, Alfred Soren, Ciles Risil, Piren Snal and young comrade Sattyaban Hajong. Manzur said killings are going on unabated and nobody is being punished.

CPB President delivering his inaugural address said that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been elected this time with a massive mandate and she should implement the peace accord and understanding reached a decade ago, without delay and hesitation.Manzur said in their struggle the Adibasis are not alone the Bangalaee people will also join in their common struggle. Bangladesh was born in the fierce struggle against national oppression and we cannot allow any oppression or discrimination against national minorities in our own country..

Manzur said today we are holding the inaugural meeting at the monument to the martyars of Language movement of 21st February 1952. That is now according to UN decision International Mothers Language Day. Now its our duty to protect the language, culture and heritage of Adibasis.

He said today mankind and all life forms faces a grave danger of extinction due to degradation of environment, nature and climate change. We can learn from the rich experience of indigenous people, and their culture, livelihood etc. how to live in complete harmony with nature and save both.

Presided over by Jyotirindra Bodhipriya (Santu) Larna, the meeting was addressed by Sanjeeb Drong. General Secretary of Bangladesh Adibasi Forum, Rashed Khan Menon MP, Pankaj Bhattacharya, Hasanul Huq Inu MP, Ramenda Majumder, Syed Abul Moksud, Mamunur Rashid, Ayesha Khanam, Khushi Kabir, Prof. Mesbah Kamal, Numan Ahmed Khan, Dr. Shamim Ahmed Khan, Shaktipada Tripura, K.S. Mong and others.

The function was rounded off with traditional Adibasi songs and dances.

A colourfull rally paraded the streets around Shahid Minar.

Ekota Special Correspondent, Dated 9th August 2009Justify Full