যে কোন লড়াই শেষ পর্যন্ত লড়তে পছন্দ করি।

Islamic Militant Activity in Bangladesh Sharif A. Kafi National dailies reported about existence of 50 training camps of radical Islamic groups in the Chittagong Hill Track region, mainly in Naikhongchhori area of the Bandorban hilly district. Some external Islamic militant groups and 13 Rohingya militant groups jointly run and operate these camps. There are very influential god fathers behind such organized activities, but the government seldom go after the godfathers. Even there were elements within the government who helped such operations in the country. Existence of such militant training camp became public first in 185 when two camps were unearthed and destroyed bylaw enforcing agencies at Tombru area under theGhonoDhum union of the Naikhongchhari upazilla (sub district) od Bandarban district. Eight (8) militant training camps were unearthed and destroyed by the law enforcing agencies (Police and Bangladesh Rifles) in remote jungle and deep forest areas of the hilly districts. A good number of fire arms and a munitions were seized from those camps. In the Bandarban district, Islamic militants are actively operational in Lama, Alikadam and Naikhongchhari upazillas. In Cox's bazaar, they are operational in Chakoria, Pekua, Moheshkhali, Cox's Bazaar (Sadar) Ukhia and Teknaf upazillas. Islamic militants have very strong presence in and around formally designated Rohigya refugee camps Ukhiya upazilla. Bangladeshi Islamic militant groups involved in this network include Harkat-ul-Jihad (HUJI), Harkat-ul-Mujahid, Harkat-e-Tayeba, Hijbut-Tawheed, etc. Among the Rohingya or Myanmar militant groups worth-mentioning ones are United national Front of Arakan (NUFA), Rohingya national Organization (RNO), Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), Rohingya Intelligence Force (RIF), Iftedatul-al-Muslemin, Islami Tulaba Movement, Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO), etc. On 19 September agroup of 4 Myanmar militants were arrested from Jaruliachhari in Bandarban district by law enforcing agencies. Very recently another militant group with sophisticated arms and ammunition were arrested from Matiranga of the same district. In the history of modern society, it was the British colonial rulers who first identified religion as an effective tool for divide and rule. They used it to divide and rule the population living in their colonies and to divide and weaken other countries to compromise and neutralize their war power and economic growth to the benefit of the British Empire. They did it rather successfully taking advantage of disunity and lack of consciousness of the target audience, where the British played the role of cunning mentors and advisers to the vying parties or conflicting parties. If we look into this process in South Asia, the British was successful in drawing a religious dividing line between the Hindus and the Muslims that helped emergence of two political parties (Congress and Muslim League) representing the two religions. In addition to that, they also helped organization of many other religious groups with smaller population sizes. Worth mentioning such small religious group was the Shikhs. This religious divide in South Asia eventually went into mutual attacking, looting, raping, killing, evicting, setting fire on houses, vandalizing against one community by the other. In the history of the sub-continent this brutal extravaganza is known as "Partition Riots of 1947". This riot re-erupted in 1954 and 1964 causing hundreds of deaths. But the scenario changed with Chinese Communists coming to power in 1949 through a bloody war. Already the British Imperialist and its allies were facing the challenges that were evident with the Soviet (Bolshevik/October) Revolution in 1917. Now they felt more threatened with the Chinese revolution and strengthening growth of the freedom movements across the colonies. At he same time, with a view to have control over natural and other resources of newly independent former colonies, they became desperate and kept on setting forth new conspiracies. It is to be noted that the two world-wars (1914-1917 and 1939 - 1945), made the British Empire economically weak to the extent of partial bankruptcy. So, the imperialist and industrially developed countries needed a new leader to replace the British. United Sates of America was the choice for them based on many facts, realities and practical arguments. Thus it became an imperative for the United Sates of America to take over from the British and find out the solution to the threats of the left-wing revolution that was becoming very popular among the common people across the globe. This time again, the United Sates decided to use the religious trump card in mobilizing innocent people against the revolution in order to address the challenge. They were able to convince leaders of all most all the religions groups that they were the religious people who believed in Allah or God and to the contrary the communists were atheists who did not believe in god and were out to destroy the religious believes and institutions. So, it was the solemn duty of the believers to defend the religion and thereby Allah and God. Between 1952 and 1954, US government undertook a project in order to mobilize, train and fund religious groups across the continents to fight against communists and revolution, using their widespread support among the pious section of the mass population. This initiative in reality helped reviving and revitalizing all kinds of religious dogma, fanaticism, radicalism, bigot-ism and narrow communal sentiments among religious leaders and activists alike. Fanaticism and militancy got a new paradigm among the Muslims across the world with the continued deprivation and oppression of the people of Palestine and Kashmir. A new story developed this time. That is---The Jamat-e-Islami in pre-partitioned India under the leadership of Maolana Syed Abul A'la Maududi was against establishment of the state of Pakistan. He called the proposed state of Pakistan a “Napakistan”, “Khora Pakistan”, etc. Now after being motivated and brain washed by various American agencies, the Jamat-e-Islami turned out to be the savior of Pakistan, “the real guardian of Pakistan”. To show their strength and establish their fanatic dominance as the guardian of Pakistan they killed 10, 000 Ahmadiyya Muslims (also known as Qadianis) in a single riot in Lahore. The whole Pakistan administration was behind the Jamat leaders in the process of this mass slaughter. In 1971 US government supported Pakistan Army committing genocide against Bangladesh and its peace loving people in the name of religion. US used 17 vetoes at the United Nations against (Liberation of) Bangladesh during the liberation war in 1971 and immediately after the victory on 16 December 1971. Then, a great opportunity for the US government and its allies came when Soviet Army entered Afghanistan and occupied it. America and its allies got a great opportunity to organize Muslims from around the globe including those of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to organize resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. They armed them trained them and provided all sorts of resources to fight against the Soviet Occupation Army with a view to establish an Islamic Afghanistan. America in partnership with Pakistan played tricks here not to allow Afghanistan to be freed under the leadership of Gulbuddin Hekmatir or Burhanuddin Rabbani or Gen. Rashid Dostum or Gen. Ahmed Shah Masud. There were occasions when Afghanistan could be freed much earlier and a national government could be established with participation of the above mentioned four leaders. But US and Pakistan did not allow that to happen. They organized a new fanatic militant group called Taliban and waited and waited for the Taliban to grow and super cede all other leaders to rule Afghanistan the way US and Pakistan wanted. Osama Bin Laden was among the favored sons of US and Pakistan government. He was trained, armed and funded by America to fight against the Soviet Army and other rival factions of Afghan war lords, and eventually establish the Taliban rule. Later on Osama went against the duo (US and Pakistan) and became a big fish target on the US shopping list (hit list). Due to this coordinated process of religion based activities, Bangladeshi religious people and youth went to Lebanon in order to join the Palestine gorillas, some of them joined Kashmiri Mujaheddin, and Afghan Mujaheddin and Bosnia Herzi-govina defenders; all in the name of protecting Islam and Muslims. In doing so, all through they were supported US or its allies. In this process they became in touch with militant groups in the region what eventually emerged as a deadly fanatic network with a great degree of militancy. By the time the Taliban administration lost power in Afghanistan, they used Islamic education institutions (Madrassas) in Pakistan and India to regroup and revive their followers and fighters as an effective re-striking force- a formidable force vowed to take revenge against perceived enemies. In this process, they encouraged religious leaders, activists, students and returned Bangladeshi fighters to form similar organizations or institutions in Bangladesh. It has been proved time and again that these groups have been funded by groups and elements both from inside and out side the country. Bangladesh government under different political blocks failed to recognize the threat caused by these groups and a very high price has been paid by the nation by now. Still the strategy to fight the challenges of Islamic fanaticism and militancy seems something done not by a well thought out process—it seriously lacks the appropriate homework. In the mean time more than 100 Islamic militant groups have been operating in Bangladesh, often patronized and mentored by a section of leaders of the mainstream political parties. Some of these militant organizations are Jamiatul Mujaheddin Bangladesh (JMB), Harkat-ul-Jihad (HUJI), Harkat-ul-Mujahid, Harkat-e-Tayeba, Hijbut-Tawheed, Shahadat-e-Hikma, etc. There are allegations that some leaders and leading elements of Bangladesh Jamat-e-Islam and their student wing the Islami Chhatra Shibir are involved in the process, if not the whole party is involved. In Bangladesh, many Islamic militant groups operate under cover of the Bangladesh Jamat-e-Islam. Jamat is a kind of umbrella for them as they overtly work for the Jamat and covertly work for the militant groups. Most of the militant leaders and operatives those have been arrested by law enforcing agencies were either former/current leaders or activists of Jmat (Rukons and officebearers of Jamat and Shibir committees at Upazila and district levels). Some of them are sons and family members of highly placed Jamat leaders. In the future I will discuss (a) about financing and arming these groups and (b) why young people join these groups and how to address this problem!