To contain militancy cut off its roots

We have witnessed singular events this year in March. Ghosts ostensibly created by the media and the Opposition finally materialised. Within a few days, their whereabouts were confirmed and they were apprehended. This was indeed a great victory for civil society. The administration also deserves credit for finally understanding the precept -- better late than never.

Both Shaekh Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai, in spite of armed bodyguards, were rounded up along with their family members. Despite being firm believers in the establishing of an Islamic state and supporters of suicide bombing to further their cause, both of these criminals surrendered rather meekly to the authorities. It was of course a fortunate coincidence that US President George Bush was in the neighbourhood. Through such action our government signaled that they were suitable partners in the global fight against terror and had the resolve, if necessary, to find 'phantoms' created by the media and the Opposition.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

I strongly believe that subsequent sociologists will refer to the last two years of our history, as a period, when greed for power and misconceived version of Islam were used to nurture the emergence of Islamic activism and militancy. We have seen the materialisation of the biggest threat since our country gained independence thirty-five years ago.

We have watched with growing concern the reign of terror that has been unleashed on the innocent civilian population in Bangladesh. This has involved serial blasts and attacks on the institutional structure of the state. RAB officials have already indicated that Abdur Rahman has taken responsibility for the killing of judges, politicians, government officials, lawyers and common citizens (in entertainment venues). All this, in the name of Islam -- a religion, that believes in peace, which condemns suicide and urges its believers to afford protection to civilians.

The disappointing aspect about the situation has been the continuous reluctance of the government to accept that this militancy might have been encouraged through their spirit of co-habitation with extreme rightist religious political parties within the alliance administration. Fingers have also been pointed to the fact that there has been a surge in the growth of Madrasa education during the tenure of the present government. It has been suggested time and again that this has been due to the Islamic card in the sphere of governance. Most importantly, the government has refrained from exercising any appropriate control over the manner in which the Islamic NGOs have used foreign funds in the expansion of religious education and the establishment of Islamic institutions in this country. It has been also alleged in this context in the media that a number of Islamist NGOs have secured government registration with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mujahid who is running the Social Welfare Ministry and that some financial institutions with connections to the Jamaat have also been facilitating transfer of resources to these controversial NGOs. I can only hope this is not correct, but then I can be naive at time.

Madrasas and orphanages are expected to have an ideological basis. That is acceptable. One had hoped however that the Ministry of Education would carefully monitor the manner in which such institutions were being run and funds spent. This has apparently not happened.

Arrests of hundreds of Islamic activists and militants over the last five months have revealed that some of them have not only been taking lessons on the Quran but also on how to make explosives and even indigenous grenades. Several arms caches have been discovered and lists found of intending suicide bombers. These are serious matters that not only threaten our own security but also that of our neighbouring region. The most unacceptable feature within this scenario has been the gradual branding of Bangladesh as a terrorist prone country. This has already impacted on the country's economic future and the freedom of movement of its citizens.

Islam has never condoned unnecessary violence in the name of Jihad. Terrorism and militancy has no place in this region. Islam as a faith has forbidden extremism and also urged its believers to exercise self-control and patience. In this context, it has also suggested that Allah is the final Judge in matters of religious disputes. This spirit of tolerance seems to have somehow been lost in the process by which Madrasa students are being imparted their religious education. Added to this has been the absence of vocational training and exposure to English and scientific subjects that might have opened windows for them to the outside world.

The rise of militancy in Bangladesh has now become a matter of serious concern for many countries in the world. They have quite justifiably expressed their concern about religious extremism in Bangladesh. They have also questioned the manner in which our government has been dealing with the situation. Quite correctly, they have pointed out that arresting two important individuals within the militant hierarchy will not solve the problem. Contrary to government claims, security analysts have been skeptical as to whether recent arrests will deal a final blow to the JMB. I agree. It can only be a temporary setback, with the middle leadership eventually re-grouping and filling the vacuum. Terrorism can never be defeated in one single stroke.

This is a complex situation that requires less of mud slinging at the Opposition, the civil society and the media. The government will have to understand that a number of questions have emerged. A public debate is on. Accountability and transparency also demand that this issue be dealt with impartially and not in a partisan manner.

The following factors are clearly evident --

(a) events of August 17 of last year and other subsequent explosions have established that militancy in the name of Islam is more of a fact than fiction;

(b) there is a widespread network of militants throughout Bangladesh and that they have links with other militant outfits in the neighbouring region;

(c) the existing militant leadership among the outlawed Islamic groups have had and continue to have close coordinated relationship with some representatives belonging to Islamic parties associated with the BNP in the ruling alliance structure;

(d) a section of government officials, belonging to law and order agencies, particularly in the rural areas, have indirectly condoned the rise of such militancy, extra-judicial killings and other forms of vigilante activities associated with these groups;

(e) there has been weak political will on the part of the government in tackling this menace. Such an assumption has also been underlined by several BNP political activists; and that

(f) political criticism of the Opposition and labeling them as being responsible for such growth in militancy is absurd.

It is no use having an ostrich syndrome effect. The government has to be responsive and responsible. They will need to respect civil society and the media. It must be understood that this country belongs to all of us and that no one is hatching any conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into a client state. Criticism, when it is constructive must be seen to be so.

We have arrested a few hundred activists belonging to militant outfits. We have also taken into custody important elements of their leadership. So far so good. However, this is not enough. I have previously welcomed the arrests of the JMB activists and the seizure of the arms and explosive caches. Nevertheless, worries remain about whether there will be serious impact of such seizures on the JMB's operational capabilities.

For once, politics will have to be forgotten and investigations of incidents allowed running their full course, including the investigation of politicians and government officials. It should not end with just the prosecution of low-level figures. We still have some important issues that will need to be addressed:

(a) The arrested militants should not only be tried on the basis of charges filed against them in past cases, but also within the framework of sedition and waging of war against the state. While doing so, care should be taken to ensure that speedy trial does not compromise the discovery of further facts related to the background of the rise in militancy and their existing network;

(b) Ensuring transparency within the judicial process to prevent controversy;

(c) Seeking the assistance of the FBI, the Interpol, the Scotland Yard and the relevant agencies in India to determine how such massive quantities of arms and explosive substances have found their way into the hands of these militants. They should also be able to help in pinpointing whether Shaekh Abdur Rahman is withholding information about foreigners training local militants;

(d) Making pertinent inquiries with regard to their sources of funding. US Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is apparently assisting the government in this regard. This Washington-Dhaka cooperation needs to be intensified; and

(e) There should be a full review of the manner in which religious training and education is being imparted in the Madrasas.

Such an approach is vital. The government must understand that there is no easy way to succeed in their fight against militancy. It needs to listen to what others are saying -- not just the sycophants that have surrounded its leadership. I have mentioned this earlier and am doing so again. Cut off the roots of this poisonous tree.

Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador who can be reached at mzamir@dhaka.net