CHAPTER-12

RAW TARGETS BANGLADSHI YOUTH

The progeny of any nation are its real force. Today's young generation will serve the nation tomorrow. They are the ones who will lead their nation towards prosperity and save it from internal and external enemies.' The young ones of today will be responsible tomorrow for safeguarding the freedom, sovereignty and integrity of the country. If they (the younger generation) are alert and united then enemies cannot implement their nefarious designs.

RAW, which is bent on damaging the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, realizes that the country's youth is the most formidable obstacle in the way of its ugly designs. Thus RAW has devised elaborate plans to influence the minds of the younger generation. RAW wants to wipe out spirit of independence and pride from their identity and heritage. It believes that if it can manage to eliminate revolutionary thoughts and high moral from Bangladeshi youth, they will become easy prey for its evil scheme. In order to achieve this goal, RAW is working on various fronts. Some of them are :

Promotion of Narcotics

RAW is pushing various narcotics through its agents, traders and smugglers into Bangladesh. Under RAW's instructions, Indian border authorities connive with smugglers and help them in trafficking of narcotics into Bangladesh. At a time. when the entire world has declared an open war against narcotics, RAW is patronising drug pushers and smugglers. It is making crores of Takas by this illicit trade, besides converting the youth of Bangladesh into drug addicts. The Bangladesh Rifles and Directorate of Narcotics have seized huge quantities of Heroin, cocain, Aphim, Charas, Ganja and Bhang etc. during the recent years. These drugs originate from India and are infiltrated into Bangladesh through porous borders under patronage of RAW Officials.

A senior official of Directorate of Narcotics admitted that the flow of drugs from India can hardly be checked. Despite efforts only five percent of quantity smuggled can be seized by Bangladesh border authorities, while the drug pushers manage to smuggle the rest through the porous border using road, rail and water ways"(The Daily Inqilab : January 21, 1995).Recently smuggling of cigarette pipes filled with 'Ganja' (0ne kind of narcotic) has also been spotted. Directorate of Narcotics seized 8725 such pipes in 1993 and 6114 in 1994. Directorate of Narcotics also seized pethidine, ID lacquer, local wine, Fattener wine, 'Tari' (one kind of local wine), Spirit, Vinecherd Spirit, Bakar, Patvi, Hilly wine, TD, Genisock injection etc. Trafficking of phensydil has also been discovered In 1993.

Directorate of Narcotics seized 29514 cans, in 1994 (jan-Oct) 56,126 bottles and 1058 litre cans were seized. On the other hand Bangladesh Rifles seized 2087 bottles and 32829 bottles of phensydil in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Daily 'AI Mujaddiecl' wrote in its issue of December 6, 1995, "More than one crore bottles of Fencidi have been smuggled into Bangladesh. Cost of the same comes to 90 crore takas'. It may be explained that Phencidyl is a very harmful drug. Its addict loses white blood cells. The development of new blood cells stops. This' leads to sure death.

Drug trafficking has become a serious problem in Bangladesh. There are more than five hundred illegal sale centres in Dhaka alone. The number of addicts is on the increase. There are more than one lakh drug addicts in Dhaka according to a WHO report but other sources say that number is about four lakh. National professor and prominent physician Dr. Nurul Islam told The Daily Inqilab that increasing drug addiction among the youth may cause shortage of young man power in the coming years. Theinvolvement of youth in immoral and unsocial activities 'will adversely affect country's economy and social fibre. This is exactly what RAW desires.

Bangladesh is a poor country but the abuse of addiction is making it worse. According to careful estimates 500 crore takas are wasted every year through use of drugs and narcotics in the country.Whatever its consequences may be for Bangladesh but RAW has earned the singular notoriety of being an intelligence agency which promotes drugs for furthering its nefarious agenda.

Supplementing Terrorism RAW has been smuggling arms, ammunition and explosives in Bangladesh to supplement terrorism. Their primary targets are universities and other educationa1 institutions, trade unions and political parties. Due to unabated smuggling of weapons by RAW agents, the country is witnessing unparalleled proliferation of arms. The frequency of armed clashes between various student groups, trade union activists and cagres of political parties has increased manifold. Only in ((Dhaka university 55 students were killed in armed clashes during the last 24 years.

The Daily Inqilab reported in its issue of August 7, 1995 that huge quantity of illegal arms was being smuggled into Bangladesh from India. Also included in the category are land mines, mortar bombs and high powered VHF wireless sets. Most of these arms are made in India. The s~uggling of weapons is taking place, through t4eporous Indo-Bangladesh border. Besides, Shantibahini was also smuggling arms into Bangladesh.

Daily Al Mujadded reported in its issue of January 19, 1995 that a number of illegal arms and ammunition factories were operating in Indian towns located near Indo-Bangladesh border. RAW is known to be patronizing these factories. The arms and ammunition manufactured in these factories are mostly smuggled into Bangladesh with the help of RAW agents:- In 1993 some illegal factories were also unearthed in Bangladesh at Chittagong, Mymensingh and Rajshahi. These were carrying out their nefarious business in collaboration with RAW agents. The raw material for these factories used to be smuggled from India.

On February 13, 1995, police seized 2016 Indian made chocolate bombs in Demra, when these were being taken to the capital city Dhaka. There are reports .that large quantity of deadly explos.ies is smuggled into the country which is used for preparation of bombs, mines and other sabotage material.According to the Daily Sangram a huge quantity of arms and ammunition is regularly smuggfed from India. Smugglers, anti-social elements, armed cadre~ of political parties, terrorists criminals, trade union activists and students are getting modern weapons from RAW agents.

These arms are smuggled into Bangldesh using different channels through land, air and waterways. Though police has been seizing a lot of arms but still a large quantity of arms finds its way to unlawful hands. Smuggling is done by RAW agents in such a systematic manner that police and other agencies remain unaware. The newspaper further informs that there are reports that arms producing factories have been established near Bangladesh borders under the patronage of RAW. Existence of such factories at 24 Pargana, Bangaon, Ranaghat, NAdia, Aurangabad and Dalian have been learnt. The Daily states that the provincial and Central Governments. of India are maintaining suspicious silence about these illegal factories. It indicates that the illegal business has tacit support of higher Indian authorities(The daily Sangram : March 8, 1995).

The Daily Inqilab reported that Railway police arrested a RAW agent named Ganesh Biswas from compartment No. 3599 of Khulna-Goalando mail train with arms and ammunition on January 6, 1995. Ganesh was smuggling arms and ammunition on behalf of Dilip Boshak of Nadia District, India and was to deliver it to an individual affiliated to a political party. Ganesh told police that he has been involved in trafficking of illegal arms inside Bangladesh for the past many years.The above reports amply highlight the involvement of Indian authroities particularly RAW in smuggling of arms ammuniton and explosive into Bangladesh. .

Proliferation of Immoral Video and cassettes of Indian films are easily available in urban as well as in rural areas of Bangladesh. There are hundreds of thousands of video shops all over the couAtry.Dhaka alone has about 50,000 video shopswhel\e IndiaI)films are available for sale and hire"(The Daily Jonakantha : October 23, 1994).It is indeed surprising to note that the nation which had fought and struggled against 'Urdu' now proudly watches Hindi films and listens to Hindi music. People who fought against autocratic Pakistani regime, are now watching Indian cultural aggression as silent spectators. The Daily further writes that the business of obscene films is booming under the garb of Hindi films. Most of these obscehe films are prepared in India and smuggled to Bangladesh. The ea.sy availabiltiy of these obscene films is a grave threat for the, plorals of our new generation.

RAW is known to patronise this organized dirty game. Their aim is to destroy the moral fibre of our new generation and make it vulnerable to secularistic approach.It is an established modus operandi of RAW to use sex as bait for enrolment and running of agents. It provides obscene reading and video material to its agents and contacts. RAW regularly purchases large quantities of English and Hindi pornographic magazines and blue video films for circulation. RAW's safe houses serve as virtural sex houses where carnal desires of its agents are taken care of Of course such compromising moments are also preserved in the cameras for future black mailing in case the agent shows signs of wavering or slackening. It may be mentioned that such practices are resorted to by other intelligence agencies as well at limited scale. But RAW perhaps is the only agency which distributes pronographic literature and video films in bulk to spoil the entire youth of a target country. Indeed for RAW no holds are barred in the ruthless pursuit of its objectives.

CHAPTER-13

ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION

The free and massive flow of commodities from India into Bangladesh reminds us of the colonial era, when an imperialist power would cqnquer a country or a region and use it as its market. India with the assistance of RAW's stooges has been able to turn Bangladesh into an Indian market. without ACTUALLY occupying it. It is most unfortunate that while no preventive steps have been taken by the Government, the opposition parties also show an incomprehensible indifference to this national problem. During the British rule and even during the Pakistan period political parties had been very vocal against economic exploitation of foreign powers but no such reaction has yet been shown against similar exploitation by India. Experienced circles opine that RAW and its agents have manipulated things to the extent that Government officials as well as politicians have become indifferent to sufferings of common people. Besides, a group of dishonest traders who may not necessarily be agents of RAW acts as strong lobby for Indians for their own selfish interests.

Large scale smuggling of Indian goods into Bangladesh cannot be carried out without active patronage and abetment of officials of border controlling agencies. Infact, Unscrupulous officials, many of them are on pay roll of RAW, are primarily responsible for flooding Bangladesh with smuggled goods from India. These officials dexterously provide protection for sale of Indian goods in Bangladesh. Since RAW’s agents are entrenched everywhere in administration and they support each other’s illegal activities, therefore, it becomes difficult to expose them. The Government has so far failed to take effective measures to check this illegal business.

The Government’s unwise economic policies are also responsible for turning Bangladesh into Indian market. As a result the balance of trade has tilted heavily in India’s favour. Reportedly the total India-Bangladesh trade comprises of 97% exports from India and only 3% exports from Bangladesh. Instead of insisting on equitable trade with India, unusual concessions have been granted to promote import of Indian goods. Granting excessive concessions to India without regard to own economy has proved ruinous for the indigenous economy and industry.

Giving details of trade between India and Bangladesh, The Daily New Nation wrote, “Trade between the two countries stands at 60 crore dollars compared to that of seven crore dollars five years ago”(The Daily New Nation: August 29, 1995).It may be mentioned that efforts for undermining economy of Bangladesh were started by India soon after the emergence of the country in December 1971. Almost all Governments of Bangladesh, starting from the one which assumed power in 1971, helped Indians in this regard through grant of unwarranted concessions and unwise trade policies coupled with actions of RAW’s agents in higher echelons of Bangladesh. The crippling of Bangladesh economy could be witnessed right from the outset. Some of the examples are:-

a) During 1971, 100 Pakistani rupees could be exchanged for 110 Indian rupees. In January 1972, the then Bangladesh Government devalued Bangladeshi currency drastically which made the value of Bangladeshi currency 66% lower than Indian currency.

b) Bangladesh's economy was made India-oriented declaring economy of India and Bangladesh complementary.

c) The Government withdrew ban on exporting jute from Bangladesh to India which was imposed during the Pakistan period. As a result, larg.e scale sale and smuggling of Bangladeshi jute to India started. In no time the jute market was captured by India and our jute industry suffered serious set-back from which it never recovered.

d) In 1972 India compelled Bangladesh to sign the treaty of free border trade with India. As a result Indian commodities got free legal access to a belt upto 1O miles inside Bangladesh territory without any customs duty.

In practice those commodities did not remain confined to a belt of 10 miles alone. Rather these were freely transported to all parts of the country making Bangladesh a vast market for Indians goods. It may be noted that while the said treaty was used for flooding Bangladesh with Indian commodities, Bangladeshi goods were hot allowed on one pretext or the other to get easy access to even 10 miles inside India.

The trade agreement between Bangladesh and India signed in March 1972 states clearly that export and import of the two countries should be of equal value, that is to say, India would purchase the same vQlume of Bangladeshi commodities as Bangladesh would purchase from India in terms of money. But India has completely disregarded the relevant provision of the agreement. India intentionally avoids buying Bangladeshi goods as she manages to have these through smuggling at cheaper prices. As a result the trade balance between Bangladesh and India tilted heavily in favour of India.

Some of our Government officials are equally responsible for ruining our trade and industry. They formulate policies which suit India. In return they are rewarded by favours and commissions. It is alleged by knowledgeable circles that India gives handsome commission to some officials of different ministries and directorates who in turn favour India by importing goods from India on one pretext or the other. There are reports that even senior political figures of the Government are involved in the racket.

The trade deficit between Bangladesh and India from 1972 to 1976 was Tk 269.89 crores. From 1976 to 1981 it rose to Tk 315.83 crores. Now let us see what happened after 1982. Muchkund Dubey, the ex-Foreign Secretary of India presented the following figures at a meeting in New Delhi(The Weekly Holiday: February 17, 1995) .

Year Indian Exports to Imports from Trade Surpluses
Bangladesh Bangladesh

1982-83 Rs 32.47. Crores Rs 3.89 Crores Rs 28.58 Crores

1983-84 Rs 57.40 Crores Rs 29.74 Crores Rs 27.66 Crores

1984-85 Rs 106.50 Crores Rs 45.51 Crores Rs 60.99 Crores

1985-86 Rs 128.75 Crores Rs 25.86 Crores Rs 112.88 Crores

1986-87 Rs 162.01 Crores Rs 23.08 Crores Rs 138.93 Crores

1987-88 Rs 186.81 Crores Rs 14.79 Crores Rs 172.02 Crores

1988-89 Rs 261.94 Crores Rs 14.53 Crores Rs 247.41 Crores

1989-90 Rs 458.03 Crores Rs 19.60 Crores Rs 438.43 Crores

1990-91 Rs 547.38 Crores Rs 31.42 Crores Rs 515.96 Crores

1991-92 Rs 798.49 Crores Rs 14.96 trores Rs 783.53 Crores

1992-93 Rs 1038.88 Crores Rs 35.99 Crores Rs 1002.89 Crores

1993-94 Rs 1349.69 Crores Rs 56.09 Crores Rs 1293.60 Crores

1994-95 Rs 881.00 Crores Rs 46.40 Crores Rs 834.60 Crores
Firsthalf)

It is surprising that authorities concerned do not feel any need to narrow down trade gap. The only way to bridge this imbalance is to increase the volume of export of Bangladeshi goods to India; but India has so far obstructed import of Banglades.hi goods by keeping its tariff abd custom duty unusually high, specially for those items that Bangladesh can export to India. It is believed that some highly placed Bangladeshi officials under RAW's influence and patronage are mainly responsible for such a massive trade deficit. Indian goods get easy access to Bangladesh as in many cases the tariff and custom duties on foreign goods have been lowered from 95% to 20%.

But India has not reduced its duties and kept these at the level of about 85%, especially for those Bangladeshi goods which have a good and excessive demand in India. According to available figures, average tariff rate in Bangladesh is 23% while in India it is 40%. Similarly, the average duty on consumer goods in India is around 90% while it is only 20% in Bangladesh(The Weekly Holiday: February 17, 1992).Resultantly Bangladeshi goods cannot have easy access to India. Bangladesh Government and its officials could have" imposed the same rate of customs duty on Indian goods to compel India to lessen its customs duty on Bangladeshi goods. But some of the Bangladeshi officials seem to have mortgaged thefuselves to RA. Wand hence they cannot take any reta1i~tory action against India's trade aggression.

The pro-India attitude of these officials is evident not only by their failure to take retaliatory measures but also by their readiness to grant concessions to India. The tariff rates applicable to Indian goods in many cases are lower than the rates for other countries. These tariff concessions lure Bangladeshi traders to import lower grade Indian goods instead of better quality goods from other countpies.

Such concessions encourage imports from India despite the fact that Indian goods are inferior in quality to the goods of many other countries. The lower tariffs -on Indian goods result in lower prices compared to goods of other countries, hence despite poor quality they have managed to capture Bangladeshi markets. Moreover, large quantities of Indian goods are also smuggled into the country without paying any tax or duty. As a result they become even cheaper. Under the circumstances goods of other countries cannot compete with Indian goods. However, the main sufferers in the bargain are common people who are forced to buy sub standard Indian goods. Besides it causes grave loss to local industry and economy.

Informed circles stated that RAW agents in different Government departments manipulate concesion f9r India in such a way that these appear innocuous to common people. Very few persons are aware of the impact of such hidden concessions granted to India under the garb of mutual and bilateral understanding. It may also be pointed out that despite, knowing the damage-smuggling is inflicting on national economy, no firm anti smuggling measures have been undertaken by Items authorities concerned. If Government departments hadreally been sincere to contain smuggling, Bangladesh would never have been flooded with Indian goods. Indifference to wage concerted anti-smuggling drive is clear proof of connivance of higher ups in the affair. Indeed these are the people who, for their personal interests, have jeopardised the nation's future and economic well being.

"One of the major factors for converting Bangladesh into Indian market is smuggling. It has been learnt that Indian Government and its various agencies including Border Security Forces (BSF) encourage smuggling into Bangladesh. When Indian commodities are smuggled into Bangladesh, BSF personnel pretend not to see anything. But they show their alertness in guarding against goods of Bangladesh being smuggled into India. They, however, remain indifferent and blind when gold, silver, jute,newsprint, Hilsha fish are smuggled from Bangladesh into India as this smuggling is helpful for Indian economy.Union Government as well as some state Governments of India, viz. West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura knowingly and intentionally are engaged in ruining the economy of Bangladesh through smuggling. Goods worth Tk. 8 to 10 thousand crores are smuggled into Bangladesh from India annually"(The Daily Al-Mujadded : January 29, 1995).

A prestigious weekly of Bangladesh, The 'Holiday' wrote: "The cross-border trade, or informal trade, or. call it smuggling, if you like, amounts to anything between '100 to 200 percent of the formal trade, or may be more for nobody knows for sure"(The Weekly Holiday: February 10, 1995).Besides paying huge bribes to corrupt Bangladeshi officials for their help in promoting Indian goods, various measures are being employed by RAW to control t:qe market mechanism. These measures include :

a. Bangladeshi traders are offered to obtain Indian goods on credit. All goods, from heavy trucks to onions, can be imported from India into Bangladesh on credit. It is
indeed lucrative offer for traders who make huge profits without any investment of their own. However, little do they realize that by so doing they are playing in Indian hands.

b. Lucrative commissions are offered to middlemen for securing contracts for the supply of Indian goods.

c. In order to sell poor quality Indian goods they even resort to despicable practices e.g., labeling their goods as products of other countries. Similarly practice of marketing Indian goods in packets of other brands is also in vogue. Here we can cite an example of marketing lower quality Indian cement. At present Bangladesh imports 1.8 million tons of cement from Indonesia, Burma, Malaysia, North Korea, China, Iran, Russia, Iraq etc. Cement from these countries meets standard British specifications while Indian cement does not meet the standard in many cases and hence is not popular. However, Indian cement preducing companies have started marketing their cement in bags marked with bull head, eagle etc, similar t9 the cement bags of Indonesia. This is done to deceive illiterate buyers. Moreover, empty bags of Indonesian and Chinese cement are purchased from the marl,t.et. It is alleged that these bags are filled with Indian cement and sold in the market as cement from Indonesia or China. To market this inferior Indian cement, credit. is arranged upto Rs 10 million for Bangladeshi dealers. (Daily Inqilab : January 18, 1995).

d. RAW provides support to its agents to set up' joint ventures in collaboration with' Bangladeshi enterprenuer. These companies only import Indian goods and sell them in Bangladesh. Many of these enterprises are totally financed by RAW. The mock Bangladeshi partners of such companies remain dormant while the entire business is conducted by RAW agents and operatives from behind.

The net result of above nefarious practices, conducted with active help of RAW, is that Bangladesh's economy has suffered serious set backs. The reason for destroying Bangladesh's economy is to propagate that Bangladesh is economically unviable, RAW hopes that, pver burdened bypoverty and squalor, Bangladesh will abandon its dream of becoming a sovereign and prosperous country. Bangladesh will thus be left with no option but to acquiesceato Indian machination and subjugation. Here I would remind' the esteemed readers about theplight of the erstwhile Soviet Union. The economic degradation of the mighty Soyiet Union was major reason for its fall and disintegration. Let us pray the same fate does not befall on Bangladesh.

CHAPTER-14

MINERAL RESOURCES

The vital role played by mineral resources of a country in its economic development needs no explanation. Experts believe that Bangladesh has been endowed with rich mineral resources. However, unfortunately due to Indian manipulations with the help of RAW's paid agents in Bangladeshi bureaucracy, Bangladesh has been unable to fully reap the benefits of the hidden treasures and put an end to its' economic dilemma. 'RAW's impediments in Bangladesh's efforts for exploration of minerals are for two reasons. Firstly, they fear that Bangladesh may drain oil from India's wells in Assam and secondly Bangladesh's self sufficiency in its mineral resources would enhance its economic stability resulting into the demise of India's long awaited desire of amalgamating Bangladesh and formation of 'Akhand Bharat".

"After emergence of Hangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman divided the coastal region into six sectors and leased them to foreign companies for exploration of oil and gas. The respective companies took on the job but just after a short span of time for reasons unknown shut downthe projects and left Bangladesh. No inquiry was made and no reason was offered by the Government for this closure.It is said that these companies closed their operations at the urging of KGB and RAW. Professor Abu Sayed in his book 'Facts and Documents' writes that the company which was carrying out exploration at the sea coast adjacent to Barisal was attacked by Indian gun boats in broad day light, dismantling the erected infrastructure"(Daily Rupali, March 2, 1992).

"Another example of RAW's influence in abating Bangladesh's efforts of exploring mineral resources is of Feni Gas Field. The gas field was discovered during the regime of late President Ziaur Rahman. But soon after the- death of President Zia the project was abandoned for being 'economically unviable'.However, the experts did not believe the official explanation. The project was re-opened after ten years and is now running profitably thus contributing a lot to the country's economy. Many more examples can be quoted of projects which started with pomp and show but were later stopped or discontinued for reasons unknown"(Daily AI Mujadded : June 2, 1995).

"During president Ershad's regime foreign companies were once again given contracts for exploration of oil. Scimitar, one of the companies, was given oil exploration rights in Sylhet. Soon RAW orchestrated allegations through some political parties in Bangladesh that the country's interests were being bartered away to Scimitar. Ultimately the company abandoned the project and left. Thus RAW achieved objective of protecting their vital economic interests beside scaring away other companies from undertaking on such ventures in Bangladesh.

Similarly a French Company, B Fistal that had almost struck oil reserves at Shalbahan in Dinajpur, abandoned its project in Bangladesh. Later it was revealed that India had laid a bait for purchase of billions of dollars worth weaponry including Mirage 2000 fighter aircrafts from France beside awarding B Fistal company a big oil exploration project just 5 Kms opposite Shalbahan at Jamidarpara, West Bengal, India"(Dainik BangIa: August 23, 1994).

RAW uses terrorists of Shantibahinf not to allow any oil exploration in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region including Samutang. Understandably no foreign firm will risk an exploration work in the region as long as violence persists in the area.There are reports that oil reserves had been struck at Patbaria, Sylhet (then part of Assam) in 1908. However,further work was not pursued at the site because the British authorities of that time did not feel the need for additional oil as they had already discovered oil in Dibrugarb and Digboy in Assam. In 1947 Sylhet was separated from Assam and became a part of Pakistan.

Presently it is a part of Bangladesh. In November 1987 the Government of Bangladesh, with the help of Saudi Development Fund, started exploration for oil at Patharia. But after considerable digging and investment of 40 crore takas it was belatedly realised by the concerned authorities that there were some procedural complexities.Thus on the said plea this project was also shelved. Observers believe that RAW manipulated and' arranged abandoning of this promising project. Similarly the exploration of oil fields at Haripur (reported to be the biggest oil field in Asia) and Kailash Tila (Sylhet) were stopped under mysterious circumstances. All the above examples bring out the fact that RAW is determined to prevent any exploration venture in Bangladesh particularly the exploration of oil in Sylhet area as they fear that underground oil reserves of Assam may drain toSylhet due to proximity. Indians have been using some corrupt Bangladeshi bureaucrats and technical experts for furthering their designs. According to a press report published in the 'Daily Inqilab' during January 1993, Deputy Director Habibur Rahman of Geological Survey Directorate Bangladesh was paid cash money, expenses for travel to India and a phd. degree in exchange for secret survey reports regarding mineral resources of Bangladesh.

Besides creating strong impediments in the way of exploring oil reservers, RAW has been creating hindrances in exploratory work of other mineral resurces as well. One glaring example is the hurdles created by India in the exploration of Madhyapara hard rock for simple reason that Bangladesh should remain dependent on India for its hard rock imports. Similarly hurdles were created to prevent exploration of coal at Barapukuria.RAW's agents, instigated the land owners of Barapukuria to resist exploratory work on the plea of inadequate compensations paid for their agricultural lands. Yet another example of nation's mineral wealth lying unexplored is the case of Uranium and Potassium ores at Joypurhat-Sylhet. Despite confirmed reoprts of huge deposits, no further work has been undertaken for the development of the said mines.

Dr. G.W. Gableman (a Geologist involved in the exploration of oil and gas) in an article published in Internatiopal Atomic Energy Journal had stated as'early as 1970 that,there are vIsible signs of presence of high grade Uraniu'm in B;;ingladesh. Based on said report an exploration venture was started by the Bangladesh Government in the area' of Fultala, Maulvibazar, Sylhet during 1976. The explorations confirmed the presence of high grade Ur;;inium btit the project was suddenly stopped in 1986 owing to RAW's conspiracies. On the contrary,India is extracting Uranium in Meghalaya, only a few kilometres away from Sylhet border.

According to 'The Daily AI Mujadded', February 27,1995, Bangladesh has huge lime stone deposits' i.e. 17 million tons in Bolgi Bazar;'1.8 million tons in Takerhat, 2 million tons at Bhanger Ghat, and 40 thousand tons at Balapunji. All these are lying unexplored. The newspaper further reported that experienced observers believe that RAW is involved in preventing exploitation of ' the said mineral resou:r:ces. RAW has bribed high officials of Bangladesh concerned with mineral exploration who do not permit any progress to take place in this sector.

The same newspaper in a later review (AI Mujadded, May 16, 1995) wrote that on, account of indecision by the ministry of Science and Technology, 50 lakh tons of Bhlck Gold (Zircon, Rutail, Liukuxin, kayanite, Magnetite, Garnet and Manazite mixed with sand are termed as Black Gold) present in the south-eastern coastal region and adjoining islands is lying unexplored. Needless to mention that the bi-products of Black Gold can be utilized in industries such as paper, electrode welding, aircrafts, space technology and nuclear fission etc. . .

Due to lack of financial resources and adequate indigenous facilities, Bangladesh has to depend on foreign investors for exploration projects. But RAW is continuously discouraging foreign investors, sometimes by using political pressure tactics and sometimes by bribing the concerned officials.RAW's modus operandi in' this regard is summarized as below :

a. RAW has been propagating that there are no mineral deposits in Bangladesh, thus discouraging foreign companies form investment in the sector.

b . RAW offers huge amounts as bribe to foreign as well as local engineers and staff employed on preparation o( feasibility reports of new projects, to' get 'tailored' reports suggesting that exploration will not be viable and productive.

c. Different Directorates and Ministry officials in Bangladesh concerned with processing of new projects in some cases are bribed to hinder br delay the proposals for exploration. The foreign companies thus get disgruntled due to bureacratic hassles and delays and eventually decide to abandon the project.

d. Even if some foreign company manages to overcome all the hurdles and starts' a project, its work and functioning are made difficult by local agents of RAW. Since 1972 many companies who had started projects, left midway due to harassment by RAW agents. Obviously seeing their plight no other company will dare to come forward.The ingress of RAW in various ministries, directorates and organisations of Bangladesh is so paramount that it has successfully sabotaged many projects. Large number of abortive projects are clear proof of this treachery. It is believed that until the patriotic people of Bangladesh root out RAW agents from departments and ministries concerned with exploration of mineral resources, no worthwhile progress can be 'made in this field. Consequently, Bangladesh will continue to remain poor and subservient to India. The question, however, remains when will the rooting out of firmly saddled RAW agents begin?

CHAPTER-15

GARMENT INDUSTRY

The garment industry has played a pioneering role in the development of industrial sector of Bangladesh. Though it took a rather late start i.e., in 1976 but it soon established its reputation in the world market within a short span of time. Resultantly garment is now one of the main export items of the country. Besides, enriching the country's economy it has played a very important role in alleviating unemployment. At present there are more than two thousand one hundred garment factories in the country employing more than 12 lakh labourers. 85 percent of the labour force are women.

Once Sri-Lanka was leader in this field in South Asia and India was its competitor. The Indian intelligence agency RAW activated the Tamils of Indian origin in a separatist movement thus starting a bloody civil war resulting in the quick demise of the garments industry of Sri-Lanka. The international buyers and investors diverted their attention towards Bangladesh. As a result the garments industry of Bangladesh expanded with unprecedented success. During the financial year 1993-94 Bangladesh earned 6199.8 crore taka in 'this sector.India is. envjous of such an unprecedented success of Bangladesh. India has always remained vigilant of even the slightest success of Bangladesh in any sector with apprehensions of loosing contol over Bangladesh. It is an unabated portion of her strategy to ensure that Bangladesh does not make progress in any field. So if Bangladesh makes any success in any sector, India starts conspiring to ruin Bangladesh in that sector. The success in garments industry of Bangladesh had posed a challenge to India. India thus hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Bangladesh from the markets of USA and Europe. For fulfilling this heinous plan RAW, besides utilizing its agents in Bangladesh, developed a strong lobby in Europe, America and Far East against the garments industry of Bangladesh.

India's first attempt was to bring within its grip the buyers associations. Through clever manipulations India has succeeded in controlling the buying houses of Korea and Hong Kong. The buying houses generally obtain orders for ready made garments from different countries. The owners of Indian controlled buying houses started concerted campaign to stop foreign companies from giving. any contract to Bangladesh. They try to impress upon the buyers of Europe and America that (1) Bangladesh was not capable of producing good work, (2) the businessmen and industrialists of Bangladesh were not honest and (3) above all, the garments made in Bangladesh were below standard.

To establish these falsehoods RAW infiltrated its agents. in different garment factories of Bangladesh. The works that RAW carried out through these agents are listed below:

a. To search for fabrics which are not covered by contract.

b. To supply garments of low standard, ruffled up with out any stitch.

c. Export less number of garments than stipulated in the
contract.

d. Pack the carton with torn pieces of cloth instead of garments.

e. Make deliberate delay in exporting the order placed.

Such incidents happened many times in the past thus jeopardizing markets of Bangladesh. The owners of the garment factories soon realised this conspiracy and took timely step to remedy. the situation thus foiling the conspiracy of RAW. But this conspiracy was not over for good. RAW agents still carry out such heinous acts where ever they get an opportunity.

Another aspect of RAW's conspiracy is to drag the labour of garment industry into trade union movements. Unhealthy trade union movement can playa pioneering role in disrupting the production of industrial sector. In the earlier .stages there were no trade union in the garments industry. But gradually the trade union movement crept into the garments industry. Under the cover of demandingthe legitimate rights of garment iabour RAW created. discontent among the labours, thus seriously affecting production and in some cases the industries had to be closed down. As exports have to be carried out within a fixed time frame and once the exports are not made in time then the contract is cancelled. RAW is engaged in spreading discontent in our garments industry so that the buyers of Europe and USA turn their faces away from Bangladesh.

The organisations of labours of the garment industries very often hold meetings, distribute pamphlets and from time to time give statements making various demands. RAW collects these. pamphlets, statements and other publicity materials of the garment labour, even make tape recordings of their statements and send them to the foreign buyers augmenting it by saying that the garment labour of Bangladesh work in a very unhealthy atmosphere and live in a sub human life.

In pursuance for the destruction-of the garment industryof Bangladesh RAW has engaged some dishonest traders, fake producers, exporters and in complicity with a section of officers of the Export Promotion Bureau who have been carrying out their heinous activities. Under instruction of RAW they obtain false no objection certificates and through fake documents export garments to USA and other foreign countries. RAW agents have earned crores of takas by fictitious certificates of Export Promotion Bureau. In the financial year 1993-94 a false export consigment of four hundred crore taka was detected which was exported to USA(Daily Inqilab : October 22, 1994).

The same issue of Inqilab reported that India in the financial year 1993-94 exported low quality garments to the USA j;ri the name of Bangladesh. This consignment was exported by fictitious certificate of Export Promotion Bureau 'under the category of 320 and 652. In the financial year 1992-93, in a similar m,Slnner India exported below standard garments to 'USA worth 25 million dollars. The customs intelligence officers of the USA after enquiry unearthed this fraud.

As a consequence Bangladesh suffered on account of the fraudulent activities of India, r;sultantly the quantum of export of Bangladeshi garments got considerably reduced. During the fina,ncial year of 1992-93 Bangladesh had exported to the USA, garments worth 65 crore 50 lakh dollars and in the next year I.e. in the finacial year 1993-94 the export was reduced to 54 crore 50 lakh dollars consequent to India's fraudulent activities.

It is viewed with concern that India succeeded in spoiling the good image of Bangladeshi garments. As a consequence Bangladesh has lost many of its foreign markets. In the financial year 1993-94, the target for garments export was 165 crore dollars. But on account of the fraudulent measures of RAW this target could not be achieved and there was a short fall of 22 percent. RAW's agents exported substandard garments to
European countries particularly to Italy and Germany through fake GSP certificates on behalf of Bangladesh. Though those substandard garments were not made in Bangladesh, but they did earn a bad name for Bangladesh and also affected future Bangladeshi exports to these countries. Italy substantially reduced the quantum of imports of garments from Bangladesh. These actions have badly harmed the country's economy, but no official inquiry was held to investigate the frauds. The Bangladeshi officers who connived with RAW for the said fraudulent transactions are still holding their respective posts and continue to serve the foreign interests(Daily Inqilab : October 2, 1994).

The campaign launched in the USA regarding the employment' of child labour in the garment industry of Bangladesh is also sponsored' by RAW. The Bangladeshi nagents of RAW had prepared a TV documentary about employment of child labour in the garment industry of Bangladesh for ABC Television. RAW collected the video cassettes of that programme and sent them to senators, members of the Congress and other top policy-makers of the USA. Influenced by the publicity campaign orchestrated by RAW agents, US Senator Tom Harkins submitted a bill in the Senate known as 'Harkins Bill'. This bill stipulated that those countries which employ child; labour will not be allowed to send their industrial products to the USA.

Mr. Harkins while citing example mentioned the name of Bangladesh. Despite passage of this bill RAW did not desist itself from indulging in anti-Bangladesh propaganda and publicity. In its latest move RAW organised a union of 40 children and religious organisations in the USA to be known as child Labour Coalition. This organisation has no local sta.nding and is not even recognised by the USA. This organisation has engaged itself in a systematic propaganda against Bangladesh regarding child labo~r in the garment industry. The Indians went from door to door campajgning . against buying garments from Bangladesh on account of child labour(Weekly Sonar BangIa: May 26, 1995).

After the passage of the Harkins Bill nearly 50 thousand child labours have been terminated from the garments factories and the remaining eight thousand would be sacked by October 31, 1995.Inspite of it the child Labour coalition continues to harp on its lethal propaganda with a. view to jeopardizing the interests of Bangladesh. Is it not a known fact that many countries including India employ child labour in variety of industrial sectors? But only Bangladesh has been singled out and targeted in a systematic manner. Investigations reveal that it is only India that is bound to destroy the garment industry of Bangladesh. Child Labour Federation was used by RAW in furthering its goal in a cleverly manipulated move. It 'may be noted that according to reliable reports five crore child' labours are presently employed in India's carpet, shoe, garment and other sundry industries(Daily Star: May 31,1995).

But the Harkins Bill or the Child Labour Federation seem to have no concern about it or rather they purposely over look it. o.n account of adverse publicity against Bangladesh orchestrated by RAW Bangladesh have been identified as a guilty country.Due to some mysterious reasons no effective step is being initiated to counter the mischievous activities of RAW in Bangladesh. It is the responsibility of the bureaucrats and the policy makers to explain to the world about the emploYment of child labour in different fields. It should be explained very clearly and. explicitly that by employing these unfortunate child labours it has been possible to save them from certain death by starvation, it has been possible to make them self dependent and lead a respectable life. This aspect should be strongly and vigorously projected in the outside world. The western countries should understand that stitching buttons by child labour is not a difficult and inhuman job. This point must be stressed and highlighted to the people of the western countries particularly in the USA.

It is suspected that the concerned officials being influenced by RAW mysteriously are not taking any effective steps against RAW and its agents. It now seems that our embassies in the western countries including the USA, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Commerce, the Government publicity media or most of the political parties appear to be unconcerned about this important national issue. They did not make even a normal protest. In the face of conspiracy and strong lobbying by RAW everyone seems to be indifferent to this vital national issue and thus RAW has succeeded in proving the fact that the complaints made against Bangladesh have good foundation and Bangladesh has no ground to counter it.

It is apprehended that agents of RAW have spread their network in the country in such a manner that they are present in all the relevant Ministries and officies so that no initiative can ever be taken by the government to counter the activities of RAW. The Daily newspaper 'Al Mujadded' in its issue of May 27, 95 alleged inaction by the Embassy of Bangladesh in USA. The paper wrote that the Indian garment industry lobby was destroying the garment industry of Bangladesh and they have spread their tentacles in all the sectors of industry so 'that it does not get any market abroad. The paper in its report said, 'The owners of the garment industry of Bangladesh have not as yet received any information regarding the activities of RAW in the USA in complicity with US officials and the garments industry owners of Bangladesh are very indignant about it'. The paper further says that it is the duty of the Embassy to keep the owners of the garment industry informed about the propaganda that is being carried out in USA against this industry.

It would facilitate both the Government and the industry concerned to take effective measures against the propaganda of RAW. But' the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington has failed to take any such initiative. It was further alleged in the report that on account of inactivity or lack of initiative by the concerned officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in the USA the Indian garments industry lobby was out to destroy the market of Bangladesh in USA. So naturally the question arises whose interest is being looked after by our Embassy and other concerned agencies and officials and to whom are they really accountable?The Weekly 'Sonar BangIa' in its issue of May 26, 1995 has expressed similar sentiments. The paper says that an international agency. is engaged in making anti-Bangladesh campaign in the USA to ruin the garments market of Bangladesh in the USA and the strangest part of the whole affair is that despite an these uproars Government is conspicuously maintaining silence. It seems that it is not" a matter of concern for either our Embassy in the USA or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministries of Industry and Commerce.

Earlier when the US Senator Tom Harkins presented the Bill in the US Senate regarding imposing ban on garments 'produced by child labour to the USA, the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington and other concerned ministries and officers had played similar roles. the Daily Inqilab, in its issue. of 26 January 95 wrote, , Senator Harkins infonned that he wanted to discuss the subject of employment of child labour in the garment industry of Bangladesh so that necessary steps can be taken in this regard. He said that the government of India, through a Minister, had discussed the subject with him. But no initiative had yet been taken by Bangladesh side. Mr.Harkins wanted to know why the Government of Bangladesh was so slow in taking any initiative in this regard.

The Daily Inqilab further reported that Bangladesh Embassy in Washington did not contact the Senator in this respect. If any such initiative was taken by Bangladesh Embassy in the USA the scheme of RAW to deprive Bangladesh of the Western markets particularly the USA could have been curbed. 'l'he concerned Bangladesh officials by showing such apathy, have upheld the-interests of India rather than Bangladesh. One really ponders so as to at whose behest this inactivity, apathy conspiracy is going on and why the agents of RAW are carrying out their nefarious activities unhindered.

CHAPTER-16

FISHERIES

The fish wealth of Bangladesh can be divided into two broad categories, sweet water fish of the inland waters and the salty water fish of the sea. Owing to its climatic conditions, favourable soil and waters which include rivers,canals, ponds, vast sea and long coast, Bangladesh has an ideal environment for the growth of both types of fisheries.Experts believe that if potential of fish industry is fully exploited, it can hecome the largest foreign exchange earning sector in the country even surpassing garment industry. However, due to Indian machinations, fisheries have not achieved desired development and growth in Bangladesh.

By constructing Farakka Barrage and 40 other small and large dams on common rivers, India has already put an end to the sweet water fish industry of Bangladesh. Now RAW is pursuing its objective of destroying the sea fish wealth of Bangladesh. Fish and Rice which were once synonymous with Bangladesh are now a story of the past.The damage done to fisheries of Bangladesh can be gauged from the fact that thousands of tons of fish is now being smuggled in from India into the country which once used to export fish itself.

According to a survey carried out by the Zoological Department of Dhaka University, the economic zone of the country in the Bay of Bengal comes to 1lakh 64 thousand square kilometres. 475 varieties of fish and 24 varieties of shrimp are found in the said zone. The survey states that upto 40 meters depth of the coastal region the stock of floating fish is 2 lakh tons, in the 200 meters depth zone there are stock of 20 lakh tons of 42 varieties of general fish and another 20 lakh tons in the inner depth of sea(Daily AI Mujadded : May 31, 1995).

The fish resources in the sea belt of Bangladesh include Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, Johnkis, Sword, Shrimp, Lobster, Roopchanda, Roopan, Hilsha, Laittya and many others totalling 475 varieties. A cautious estimate indicates that Bangladesh can easily export annually upto 4 lakh tons of sea fish(Professor Abul Kalam Azad: Bangladesh Amar Bangladesh: Page 61).The fish wealth of sea is a gift of Allah to Bangladesh. Its collection is not expensive as the only expenditure incurred is on sailing and netting. Fish has been the second largest export item after ready made garments. Similarly shrimp cultivation is one of the best sources of income for Bangladesh. The price or shrimp in intertlational market varies from 366 taka to 736 taka per kg. Bangladesh has very successfully developed its coastal region for shrimp cultivation. The demand for frozen fish products particularly Shrimps was fast increasing in international market. In the year 1972-73 the earning from exporting frozen fish products was 2.38 crore which rose in 1994-95 to 1100 crore taka(Daily AI Mujadded : May 27, 1995).

According to a sub-editorial of the Daily Ittefaq, printed on June 3, 1995, if concerted efforts are made to develop fisheries, . Bangladesh will be able to produce lobsters alone worth 24 thousand crore taka annually. India sees Bangladesh as her sole competitor in export of frozen fish products in the world market. The three fold increase in Bangladesh's shrimp production made India envious to such an extent that RAW was directred to develop ways and means to destroy the pisciculture of Bangladesh particularly the shrimp cultivation.

Indians have, been indulging in our fish stock ever since the independence of Bangladesh. They encourage and help Indian fishermen to net fish stealthily in the sea of Bangladesh. Indian sea food exports have increased manifold as a result of the said piracy. Later the Indians have started using force to catch fish and shrimp from Bangladesh's water areas. The Khulna Bureau of the Daily Al Mujadded reported that during the tidal uproar and flood of May 15-17, 1995, ninety percent of the Shrimp hatcheries of the South coastal region of Bangladesh were washed away. When Banglade"Shi fishermen were recovering the same in their own area, large number of Indian fishermen also arrived with about 50 to 100 trawler boats. They chased the Bangladeshi fishermen out from their own sea and looted the shrimps. The Indians entered Bangladesh territory through Pasur, Hariabangha,Raimangal and south Talpatty Island. Indian pirates not only looted the fish wealth but also took away the fishing nets and other fishing equipment of the poor Bangladeshi fishermen (Daily Al Mujadded : May 21, 1995).The Bangladeshi fishermen could not face the Indian buccaneers because it is learnt that Indian Navy generally backs such operations(Daily Janakantha : December 20, 1994).

The looting of fish from the waters of Bangladesh by Indians has now become a common complaint. A UNDP report revealed that an approximate of 40 crore taka worth fish are being annually looted by foreign trawlers from Bangladesh water areas.3 In the month of February 1995, Bangladesh Navy seized 3 Indian trawlers with 33 persons and five Indian trawlers with 54 persons on 10 and 13 February respectively. The names of the five Indian trawlers were FB Mother Ganggar Dhan, FB Mother Monosa, FB Mother Kamala, FB Mother Saroda and FB Mother Katwani(Daily Al Mujadded : February 14, 1995).

The Daily Inqilab's reporter from Bagerhat reported that in last week of September 1994 and in the first half of October 1994, Bangladesh Navy captured 17 Indian fishing trawlers with 223 fishermen. Another report states that during the period from 1991 to May 1995 a total of 52 foreign fishing trawlers were seized. Out of these 43 were Inidians. Needless to mention that due to the paucity of Naval vessels with Bangladesh it is not possible for the authorities to seize all foreign vessels entering Bangladeshi sea. Besides, many a seizures did not even reach the news room.

The large scale theft of Bangladesh's fish wealth is yet not enough for RAW's satisfaction. They want to completely destroy the fish resources of Bangladesh. For the purpose a very mean strategy has been adopted recently. RAW had got dumped some eight thousand six hundred bags of garlic into the area close to fish hatcheries within Bangladesh waters. These garlic bags were imported through J. R. Trading on a Chinese vessel'Yangmin' and were dumped into the waters of Bangladesh on the plea of becoming unfit for human consumption. The import of garlic worth taka 1 crore 12 thousand under the cover of a non-governmental Bangladeshi firm and then throwing it away in nylon bags in a planned manner smells of foul play. RAW's aim was to drive the fish away from Bangladesh waters owing to the foul smell of rotten garlic. Indeed this is a unique example of an intelligence agency damaging economic interests of target country by destroying its pisciculture. It is a clear proof of RAW's vicious designs against Bangladesh.

As a result of this unprecedented action the Bangladesh sea-coast was totally denuded of its fish wealth. A daily newspaper reported that on February 6, 1995 a group of experts on pisiculture on their vessel 'Anusandhani' went out in the sea to obtain mother shrimps for the 'Niribili hatchery' at Cox's Bazar. After a trawling of consecutive six days upto 60 nautical miles, only 17 mother Shrimps were captured. The pisiculturists informed that on account of the bad smell of innumerable floating bags of rotten garlic, the environment of the sea coast was adversely affected which drove the fish away. It is reared that. this would have far reaching effects on country's fishing industry(Daily Al Mujadded : February 26, 1995).

At the time of independence, Bangladesh had no vessels of its own. She (Bangladessh) hired a vessel from India to export its frozen sea foods. The said vessel on its way'was anchored at Madras and small iron spikes were injected into the body of shrimps. This was done with the intention to earn bad name for Bangladesh. Yet another conspiracy of RAW to diminish our shrimp industry was to create misunderstandings amongst the hatchery owners and rice cultivators of Khlilna region. RAW succeeded in this venture resulting in armed clashes between the two. In the latest conspiracy RAW tnrough its agents has started abducting fishermen of Bangladesh fishing in high seas demanding ransom and killing the poor fishermen if ransom is not paid. Daily Al Mujadded reports that during May 1995 at least 24 cases of dacoity were committed by Indian pirates in the coastal belt of the Bay of Bengal.

Eight fishermen simply disappeared after being taken away by the Indian dacoits and 30 fishermen were seriously injured(Daily AI Mujadded, June 5, 1995).To curb this piracy Government had decided to raise a Coast Guard Regiment. But the plan seems to have been put in cold storage. In' this regard Daily Al Mujadded reported, in 1993 the standing committee of The Jatiya Sangsad (National Assembly) on Home Mfairs decided to raise a Coast Guard Regiment. In 1994 a draft policy was adopted under the caption 'Coastal Guard Act '94. The training and expenses were all worked out, but no further steps have been taken till date. Reasons for the delay are not known. Uncertainty still prevails regarding fate of proposed Coast Guard Regiment(Daily Al Mujadded : February 14, 1995).

Knowledgeable circles informed that RAW has managed to delay the project through its agents in Bangladesh's higher echelons. This is yet another example of national interests being sacrificed to please Indian masters.Indian Border 'Security Force has also been attacking Bangladeshi fishermen while fishing in frontier rivers. The Daily Bangladesh Observer reported on 13 August, 1995,Two Bangladeshi fishermen were. shot and killed by Indian Border Security Force while fishing in a frontier river in Satkhira District. The BSF men left the area when BDR patrols appeared there'. The aim of such attacks is to deter Bangladeshi fishermen from fishing in common frontier rivers thus denying them their legitimate share of the fish in these rivers.

Throwing of rotten garlic in the coastal region, vicious looting of fish wealth of Bangladesh, harassment, kidnapping for ransom and killing of poor fishermen are all part of RAW's scheme to hamper growth of fisheries in Bangladesh. RAW is ruthlessly pursuing its agenda of creating hurdles and impeding progress of Bangladesh's economy. The reason is understandable. However, the irony is that appropriate counter measures have not been taken by those who are responsible for the same.

CHAPTER--17

BTV AND RADIO BANGLADESH

Television and Radio are the best mass media for entertainment and creating public awareness. In Bangladesh both are state owned organisations and are run by public money. In'1989 a daily news paper reported that in BTV alone there were 431 dramatists and writers, 1171 drama artists, 181 dance artists, 35 dance directors, 431 instrumentalists, 1202 vocalists, 198 music directors and tuners(Daily Sangarm : June 19, 1989).In 1988 a sum of one crore 46 lakh taka was spent as honorarium for the artists alone in BTV. As majority of the people of Bangladesh are poor and illiterate who can neither afford to buy books nor can they read, therefore the influence of radio and television on the people is more pronounced and far reaching.

These two organisations can playa vital role in infusing and nurturing religious feelings and projecting national culture and tradition, But unfortunately both of these organisations are under tremendous influence of RAW and hence failed to fufil national aspirations. In the truest sense of the term BTV and Radio Bangladesh are not playing desired role for proje.cting and developing the national identity and building national character. RAW influenced people have saddled themselves so deep in these organisations that our national identity can't find projection either on TV or Radio. .

It has been learnt from different sources that in every branch of BTV there are well placed pro-In.dian elements. According to reports the number of RAW influenced officers and staff in the organisation is such that for the coming ten years even if BTV stops recruiting RAW influenced people, still it would not be free of its spell. There is no section in BTV which is free from RAW agents including the News Section. Ninety percent of the officers of BTV have close links with RAW. These officers receive regular monthly allowance from RAW (Weekly Sainik : July 17, 1991).

There are 27 codes of ethics for broadcasting and telecasting programmes over radio and television. These include propagation of Bangladeshi nationalism, projection of state policies, traditional Muslim values, development of morality, curbing corruption and anti-social activities,encouraging birth control, promoting national culture and traditions, spreading education and general awareness etc. Besides, BTV has its 'own censor code which states that no fIlm be shown that projects moral degradation, crime or sin. Nudity to include nude shadow image, undressing,symbolic dances, sex, rape and objectionable bed scenes are to be strictly avoided(Daily Sangram : June 19, 1989) .Unfortunatly BTV has utterly failed in following the stipulated code of eithics and 'censor. The entire managment, planning, presentation :1 nd production staff is under RAW's influence. Instead of projecting Islamic values they are promoting Indian culture. So much so that even the main pillar of state policy i.e., faith in Allah and Islam is not reflected in BTV's most programmes.

In fact, BTV programmes do not appear to be work of a TV station belonging to the second largest Muslim state. The dialogues, statements, comments, scenarios and dresses are mostly repugnant to the main principles of Islam. In most of the dramas, on the plea of necessity of the story,the traditional Muslim culture, norms and social values of Bangladesh are ignored. When any anti-social character is depicted, he is generally shown with a beard and a cap on his head. At times evil characters are shown as Haji,Maulvi, Pir etc. (i.e., personalities respected in Islam). The religion is ridiculed and projected in poor light(Daily Sangram : June 18, 1989).

In different BTV programmes including dramas, the Calcutta culture dominates in matters of dress and language, thus shadowing national culture and Muslim identity of Bangladesh. To prevent national integration,plays about Razakars and Albadars of 1971 are repeatedly telecast. Speical programmes and plays are presented to spread disunity and disaffection amongst different classes of people particularly with reference to liberation war of 1971. BTV is also promoting a pseudo to liberal culture. In most of the plays it is shown that young boys and girls rise in revolt against their parents. Wives revolt against their husbands. The main purpose of depicting such acts is to destory our traditional social values and family ties. In many plays explicit love scenes are shown disregarding our social values. The depiciton of smugglers, extortionists, professional murderers, mastans and drug addicts is done in a manner that such characters are glorified on screen. BTV plays-Sangsapatk, Shooktara, Purbodin Purboratri, Ayomoy, Jonaki Jaley, Roopnagar, Tathapi, Phiriye Dao Aronnya, Kothao Keu Nei etc. are examples of disregard of Islamic and national values.

BTV has proved its loyalty to RAW by over projecting Rabindranath Tagore in most of its dramas. There is hardly any play where Tagore is not shown, or his songs are not sung or his poems are not read. Even in advertisements Rabindranath Tagore is sometimes seen or heard. On the occasion of observance of Rabindranath's birth anniversary BTV's heroines or heros and dancers display on their foreheads the Hindu symbol of 'Tilak'. Since Tagore's literature is mainly Hindu literature in which Hindu history, culture and traditions are projected, therefore, his over projection amounts to promoting Hidnu i.e., Indian culture in Bangladesh. It may be mentioned that in all the works of Rabindranath Tagore there is no Muslim character except 'Kabuliwala' iWho also does not belong either to West Bengal or Bangladesh, he is, in fact a resident of far off Afghanistan.

Most of the officers, producers, presentation organisers, dramatists are under so much obligation to RAW that even on occasions like Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha (Muslim festivals) they do not avoid showing their love and affection for India. Programmes shown on these occasions depict nothing about the significanc"e of Eid, Muslim brotherhood, community feelings and Islamic teachings regarding Eid etc. Instead what they present are absurd programmes which have no relevance to the occasion. Though BTV fails in presenting the real significance of Eid, but the concerned persons do not fail in protecting the Indian interests. Thus between presentation of Eid programmes they punch in Tagore items. In a programme on recent Eid (1995), while presenting an artist to the audience and viewers a lady announcer introduced her as famous in both Bengals'.BTV's love for India was very poignant in the drama titled 'Ta-ra- Ta-ra-ya Kha-chita'. The dramatist while discarding numerous songs and ghazals of N azrul Islam and other Muslim, poets, had sung a devotional poem of Rabindranath Tagore. It was a deliberate attempt to indicate that no programme is complete without Rabindranth Tagore.

In the same programme BTV showed Hindi song in one of its programmes. For a nation who fought a war against Urdu, is it not surprising that its BTV programme includes a Hindi song? Who are the persons~that BTV authorities are trying to please? In this connection The Daily Meillat commented, 'When Urdu was swept away from Banglaesh why now Hindi language is becoming so dear to the national broadcasting and telecasting authorities. Instead of showing Bengali song why should the BTV authorities present a Hindi song? A section of dramatists of BTV is very deftly and cleverly trying to misguide the nation and drawing them to a path of destruction (Daily Meillat : May 14, 1995).

RAW influenced Persons in BTV, on instructions from RAW, are trying to create an impression on the new generation that only the Hindu poets and litterateurs had enriched the modern Bengali language and literature. To establish this falsehood BTV seldom telecasts, any programme on Muslim poets and litte:yateurs of ancipnt and middle ages. The works of Muslim .poets of ancient era like Alawal, Syed Sultan, Abdul Hakim etc. and of modern age eminent Muslim scholars like Syed Ismail Hossain Seraji, Kaikobad, Mir Mosharraf Hussain, - Dr. Lutfur Rahman, Poet Gholam Mostafa, Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, Abul Fazal, Poet Farrukh Ahmed, Jasimuddin, Syed Mujtaba Ali, Shahdat Hossain etc. are seldom considered suitable for BTV programmes. However, the pro-Indian poets like Shamsur Rahaman get good coverage over the BTV. Bpt poetry of much better standing like Ali Ahsan and Al Muhamud are ignored because they believe in Bangladeshi nationalism and the spirit of Islam.

BTV follows a path of discrimination even in case of guards of 1952 who had struggled for the Bengali language. Those who were anti-India are intentionally avoided by BTV in the programmes presented on the occasion of observance of language movement day. Sacrifices and struggles of nationalists like late Abul Kashem, late Justice Abdur Rahman Choudhury, Advocate Kazi Gholam Mahboob, Oli Ahad, Dr. Nurul Haq Bhuyan, Professor Abdul Gafoor etc. are never mentioned. On the other hand secular, pro-Indian elements are eulogized.

Pro-Indian youngster with the help of BTV have enlisted themselves as intellectuals, whereas recognized and established scholars if they happen to be believers of Bangladeshi nationalism are totally ignored. The eminent intellectual and philosopher Dewan Mohammed Azraf seems to be totally banned by BTV. Language and names are very imporatant factors in a nation's culture and tradition. However, BTV persistently displays characters and names which are alien to our Islamic culture. In dramas, plays and other programmes use of Hindu names is a common practice. This is done to encourage and influence parents to give their children Hindu names. As a result adoption of Hindu nick names by Muslim boys and girls has become quite common in Bangladesh. Hindu name-s like Sawan, Sagar, Somudra,Nadi, Abantika, Saurav, Sujan, Shentu, Rajiv, Torun, Gagan, Anita, Bipasha, Shnata, Shanti, Amit, Ajit etc. have infiltrated into Muslim families. Muslim families could not think to keep such nick names even in the pre-partition era when Bangladesh was part of India- and the Muslims were a minority. Soon after liberation, BTV in accordance with the direction of RAW, introduced greetings 'Subrabhat' (Good Morning), 'Subhasandhya' (Good evening) and 'Subharatri' (Good night) in place of 'Asalam-o-Alaikum' or 'Khuda Hafiz'. Again the aim was to eliminate the style of Muslim's greeting and encourage secular way of greeting. But it is interesting to note that the common Muslims in the cities as well as in rural areas still do not use the word Subrabhat, Subhasandhya or Subharatri.Besides, BTV very frequently presents and projects people who are least connected with television, but are blessed by the RAW.

The influence of RAW over BTV is such that our disputes with India like Farrakka, Talpatty, Chakma rebellion, Bangabhumi movement, pushing back of Iridian nationals, smuggling, frequent border skirmishes, abduction of Bangladeshis, infiltration of Indians in Muhurir Char ,and other border' areas, erection of barbed wire fencing and construction of watch towers and stealing of sea resources are seldom telecast by BTV. People of Bangladesh are kept in the dark about these basic problems faced by the nation. BTV never telecasted even an odd documentary on these vital national issues for creating public awarencess.

RAW's influence over BTV was exposed on the issue of Farrakka once it was announced that BTV would telecast a feature on Farrakka on May 5, 1995 at 8:30 p.m but instead of 'Barrage of Sorrow', an Arabian Night series was telecast. Prior to this, in the month of April BTV made a similar farce, but at the appointed time for telecasting programme on Farrakka they telecasted a programme on art and literature. In the news bulletins of BTV news and features pertaining to India which may create poor impression about her, are avoided. Rarely there is any mention of atrocities committed by Indian forces and Hindu fundamentalists on Muslims in India including Kashmir. Whenever BTV does telecast any such programme on the subject it is only a brief summary of the events which is merely an eye wash.

Thus people have to depend on BBC, VOA, CNN etc. to know the truth. The position of Radio Bangladesh is not much different form BTV. The dramas broadcast by Radio Bangladesh are similar to those of BTV. These preach Bengalee culture setting aside Muslim identity, culture and heritage of Bangladesh. Specially the dialogues and the names of the characters of these drames are such that one can hardly think that these can be broadcast from a public media of a Muslim country. Let me cite an example of a drama which was broadcast at 10 p.m on November 2, 1994.

The drama,'Shabdeha Neay Sokunir Utshab' (The festival of a vulture with a corpse) written by Mohammad Abdur Rab, included such words in the dialogue which are exclusively used by the Bengali speaking Hindus. First of all the very word of the title of the drama 'Shabdeha' is not used by 90% people of Bangladesh. Secondly, the names of the five major characters of the qrama were: Jibon, Ananda, Aloo, Onanta, Sanggita. It goes without saying that all these names are basically and widely used by the Hindu community. Now let me cite some dialogues: 'May Bidata (to refer to Allah) bless you', 'May Bidata help us', 'Jibon' Attahuti Deachay' (sacrificed himself). Bidata, Sabdeha, attahuti, etc. are generally used by the Hindus.The drama lasted for about an hour in which the word 'Bidata' was uttered for more than 50 times. Muslims no where in the world use this word for Allah.The above examples highlight the penetration of RAW in BTV and Radio Bangladesh. These public sector organisatins are serving Indian interests and projecting Indian culture in our society. As long as .the influence of RAW will persist in these organisations, their policy will remain devoid of nationalism.

CHAPTER-I8

NEWSPAPERS

The vital role that newspapers play in formulation of public opinion needs no elaboration. RAW, being well aware of the same has chalked out elaborate strategy in this regard for furtherance of its overall objectives in Bangladesh. RAW, directly as well as indirectly, is controlling many newspapers in Bangladesh. It employs diverse tactics to .keep newspapers under contorl. Foremost in this regard is financial incentive. Besides, use of threat and intimidation are also resorted to. In many important newspapers RAW has infiltrated its paid agents who influence overall policy of concerned newspapers. RAW inspired newspapers help in creating favourable public opinion for India. They also promote secularism and Hindu culture in the name of Bengalee culture. The mercenary journalists of these newspapers are used for writing pro-India commentaries. They play down Bangladeshi nationalism and propagate and recommend pro-Indian policies.

Besides influencing policies of newspapers owned by Bangladeshis, RAW is running a number of dailies and weeklies through proxy. Many such newspapers sprang up towards the last part of Ershad regime and during BNP Government. Need for the same arose because RAW decided to intensify campaign for realization of its objectives. Outwardly these newspapers are run by Bangladeshis but behind the scene RAW controls everything. The circulation of the said papers is marginal and they are not profit earning concerns, yet RAW is keeping them alive through regular financing. These papers keep churning out RAW's political propaganda. These are also used for vilification campaigns against pronationalist elements.
They unabashedly criticize partition of India and directly and indirectly propagate for merger of Bangladesh with India. They spread disinformation, discontent and promote disharmony amongst different classes, particularly with reference to events of 1971 liberation war. The aim is to impede national integration and progress. They also vehemently oppose Bangladesh's friendship with Muslim counties. They write against Muslim ideology and promote. in its place secularism. The language, style and contents of these newspapers are usually similar to the gutter press (or yellow newspapers). An interesting observation is that these newspapers do not have independent and talented journalists. Instead RAW's stooges and agents are employed in these papers. Thus RAW is establishing its agents as bonafide journalists and so-called intellectuals through these dummy newspapers. These newspapers also serve as 'Business Houses' for arranging employment and cover for RAW agents.

Different methods are adopted by RAW to provide financial assistance to these papers. Foremost is paying cash money. Other methods include arranging advertisements andr donations from large business houses which are actually used. as the godown of Indian goods. Some traders do not even have their own capital. They work as middlemen. They bring Indian goods entirely on credit. But they have to pay a portion of their profit to some selected newspapers. Sometimes these traders are advised to employ RAW agents in their firms. But their remuneration is actually borne by RAW. It may be mentioned that in the past erstwhile Soviet intelligence agency, KGB also used to run some newspapers in similar manner. After demise of Soviet union these newspapers are now financed by RAW.

Indian High commission in Dhaka patronizes those printing pressess from where pro-India newspapers are printed. They are awarded contracts for printing of High Commission's stationery and publications etc. Excessive. payments are made for such printing works to cover the cost of publishing propaganda materials.RAW has also infiltrated its men in some of the Government owned newspapers and journals. In this connection I may cite example of Government owned journals Weekly 'Bichitra' and Weekly 'Ananda Bichitra'. A close look at the activities of some of the senior journalists in these two journals can reveal as to how the-yare working for Indian interests.

These two journals mostly project pro-Indian writers, poets, litterateurs, Gultural activists etc. The ,weekly Bichitra is more bold in promoting Indian lobby and denouncing Islamic values. The Weekly in its issue of January 7,1994, published a report on 'BAKER' which was provocative and in bad taste. The caption of the 45th edition, 22nd year of publication was 'FATWABAZ'. The purpose of the article was to defame religion and hurt religious sentiments of the Muslims.The Weekly Bichitra has .also been projecting activities of Nirmul Committee, a RAW sponsored organisaiton. Mter the death of Jahanara Imam, (President of Nirmul Committee), Weekly Bichitra published a .special supplemeI.lt on her. Jahanaran Imam had treason case filed against her by the Governement. Thus her glorification by a. Government weekly causes doubts about motives of journal's management. Weekly Bichitra has also been projecting different persons of Sammilita Sangritik Parishad (Combined Cultural Council), a RAW inspired organisation. Similarly it promotes other social and cultural organisations connected with RAW.

The Weekly Ananda Bichitra often carries semi-nude photographs of Indian heroines. This is done deliberately to create market fo~ Indian' films besides ct;eating sexual excitement among our younger generation. In this connection a daily of Dhaka had commented: "Ananda Bichitra is partonising nudity. There is seldom any issue of Ananda Bichitra where semi-nude photographs of 'film actresses are not published(Daily Sangram : June 20, 1989).

Ananda Bichitra alS'o holds 'Photo Beauty Contest' every year. Young girls are encouraged to participate in the contest. Obviously this practice is repugnant to Islam. Next phase may be to hold live beauty contests to select Miss Bangladesh etc. and ultimately pave the way for participation by Bangladeshi girls in the world beauty contests. Recently the so-called Miss-Bangladesh beauty contest was held at a local hotel. Some of the organisers and judges of the contest have warm relations with RAW.There are reports that some highly placed journalists of Bichitra and Ananda Bichitra are involved in other RAW activities as well. Those who have executive power in Bichitra and Ananda Bichitra have virtually turned them into a club or meeting point for pro-IQ.dian political and cultural organisations. There are also allegations against one of the top persons that he is the representative in Bangladesh of 'Swadhin -BangIa' of Calcutta, the mouthpiece of so-called Swadhin Bangabhumi movement. An assistarit Editor is a member. of RAW inspired organisations Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikya Parishad and Society for Krishna Council. Another Assistant Editor maintains regular links with Shantibahini, a RAW sponsored terrorist organisation. One of the 24 persons of Nirmul Committee against whom Government had brought charges of treason, is holding an important position in the Weekly Bichitra. '

The most surprising thing is that despite various allegations against different officers of Bichitra and Ananda Bichitra they are still holding their posts. The person who has been serving since the last 22 years has become so powerful and strong that despite various allegations published in different papers about him he is not only holding the post of Editor of Bichitra but also Ananda Bichitra. Recently due to excessive complaints he was removed from the posts and J anab Mansur Ahmed was appointed as the Editor of the Bichitra and Janab Ahmed Zaman Choudhury was appointed as the Editor of Ananda Bichitra. But under pressure from invisible powers, just two days after his removal, he was restored to his old post.

RAW has systematically managed to control the 'fourth estate' in Bangladesh. It has succeeded in planting its own men in most of the newspapers, both Governement as well as private owned. In addition, it is running many newspapers and journals from behind the scene. It is ironic to find' so many journalists who are supposed to be eyes, ears and conscience of the nation, falling for RAW's rewards in complete disregard of national interests. However, the redeeming feature is that many journalists and media-men who are aware of nefarious scheme of RAW, are coming forward to expose RAW's game. Odds against them are heavy as they do not have adequate resources and finances. However, their determination and force of conviction are their assets in their battle for upholding national interests.

CHAPTER-19

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS

The publication industry is a basic part of a nation's education, art and culture. A country which lacks in publication industry will suffer in development of intellectual activities. Unfortunately the publication sector of Bangladesh has been dominated by Indian inspired publishers. All types of Indian books and periodicals are being imported in large quantities. Indian text books are prescribed in many prestigous private school form K.G. level to higher classes. The influence of Indian books is responsible for decaying of Bangladeshi society as these are affecting our cultural heritage and moral values.

After the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, the publication sector of Bangladesh could not make appropriate progress due to stiff competition by Indian publications. A myth has been created that cultural capital of Bangalees is Calcutta. It is not fully realized that the books and periodicals coming into Bangladesh from the so-called cultural capital are a great threat to our national identity and cultural values as Muslims. The objective of this cultural onslaught from Calcutta is to promote secularism and Hindu culture in the name of Bengalee nationalism and is aimed at distorting Muslim history and heritage.

The Indian books and periodicals are now available all over the country at newspaper stalls, book shops and public libraries. Their business is flourishing u.nder the patronage of so ca,lled intellectuals and profit hungry traders. Unfortunately no organised efforts have been made by patriotic circles so far to check the gorwth of this menace. It is indeed surprising that a nation which had asserted to resist imposition of West Pakistani culture has become indifferent to promotion of Hindu culture through mass infiltration of Indian books and publications. Possibly RAW has so much hold on our representative bodies that no dissenting voice is allowed to gain ground. The RAW inspired intellectuals continue harping on pro-India themes. Even the liberation struggle is projected in such a manner that Indian glorification seems their only aim. Sllch intellectuals and writers have taken upon themselves to promote Indian publications in order to earn personal benefits.

RAW has developed a pool of publishers, sellers and distributers for promotion of Indian books. They have virtually succeeded in capturing Bangladeshi market.with the direct and indirect help of a particular circle working in governmental and non-governmental sectors. Some of the means and measures adopted for promotion of sale of Indian books and publications are explained below importer, the Indian exporter sends .the merchandise on the term that importer should pay the due amount within 90 to 120 days. Even provision of payment guarnatee by the importer's bank is dispensed with. The importer can therefore, receive the books without making any paYment to his bank.

Books are sent purely on good faith. If the importer fails to pay the bill after stipulated time, neither the bank nor the supplier can take any legal action against the importer. Books are sent purely on good faith. Obviously no businessman of India will venture on such trade unless security of his capital is assured by some Government agency (in this case RAW). Since it is a continuing facility, therefore, no Bangladeshi book importer defaults on payment. In the bargain Bangladeshi importer earns handsome profit without investing any capital while Indian designs are also satisfied.

Supply of Books on Credit

In order to sell books, Indian publishers offer huge commissions over sale of their books to Banglade.shi importers and sellers. Most vogue commission is 50%. however, as high commission as 85% has also been paid in some deals. On the other hand commission paid by Bangladeshi publishers is 25% only. Thus due to incentive of earining high commissions the book sellers prefer to sell Indian publications. It is obvious that Indian publishers cannot offer such disproportionate commissions without RAW's support.

Export of Unbound Books

Taking advantage of liberal book import policy of Bangladesh, RAW has devised a scheme to supply Indian books to Bangladeshi sellers on credit. Any book seller of Bangladesh can import books from India after obtaining Import Registration Certificate (IRC) and a passbook from Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E). Once demand for the books is received from Bangladeshi Indian publishers have now started sending printed formats to the Bangladeshi book sellers without binding them into books. Importing of unbound printed formats is more profitable, therefore, the import of printed formats is gaining ground day by day.Besides establishing their own publishing houses, RAW is also known to be paying financial and other incentives to some large Bangladeshi publishing houses in reward for their 'services'.

Printing of Bangladeshi Writer's Books in India

Indian publishers and sellers obtain rights for printing books of some Bangladeshi writers for 'sale in India only'. But in practice these books are supplied into Bangladesh. The price of Indian edition of a book is much lower than that of Bangladeshi edition. For example the price of Bangaldeshi edition of 'Nakshi Kanta' written by Jasimuddin is Tk. 35 while that of Indian edition is Tk. 25. Naturally buyers are attracted to buy Indian edition of Nakshi Kanta instead of Bangladeshi edition. As a result Bangl~deshi publishers, instead of printing books in Bangladesh, import Indian editIon to avoid loss.' This is a novel way to cripple publication industry of Bangladesh.

Publication of Bangladeshi Editions of Indian Books

RAW has adopted a new scheme to popularize Indian books by publishing Bangladeshi editions of Indian books. There are many firms in Bangladesh that print and marketise works of Indian writers only. The Daily Sangram had published a documentary report in 1989 about the publication of Indian books by Bangladeshi firms. Here is a brief quotation from the said report :"The Bangladeshi edition of books of Indian writers have been published by a section of publishing houses. 'Muktadhara' is a well-known publishing company of Bangladesh. It publishes books of all grades and categories of wirters from famous Anonada Shankar to unknown Shantimoy Ghosh. The two books of Dr. Nehar Kumar Sarkar published by 'Muktadha,ra' are: (1) Children's Politics and (2) Children's Economics. Both the books promote communism. This firm also published books of Marxist writers Gopal Halder and Narayan Chowdhury. Their other writers include Shuvas Mukarjee, Gojendra Kumar Mittra, Provat Chandra Gupta and Shatta Prashad Sen Gupta. Certainly there is no dearth of publishers in West Bengal to publish the works of Ananada Shankar Roy, Suvas Mukharjee, Gojen Mittra etc. Nevertheless, works of alien writers are being, published here. As a result works of Bangladeshi writers are ignored by the local publishers. Because of. economic backwardness' and cultural aggression, Bangladeshi writers are not in a position to publish their works personally. Though we have a good number of talented wirters but most of them

Smuggling of Indian Books into Bangladesh

RAW has been regularly arranging large scale smuggling of Indian books particularly the ones prescribed by Bangladesh Government. Similarly, smuggling of obscene and pornographic magazines' is also encouraged to affect our young generation. Weekly 'Desh' of Calcutta, which is banned in Bangladesh, is freely available throughout the country. RAW's local agents and greedy book-sellers and hawkers are responsible for it.

RAW Sponsored Publication Houses

RAW is running some publication and distribution houses in Bangladesh through proxy. They constantly keep printing and distributing books approved by RAW. In recent years some book publishing and sale centres have been opened which distribute only Indian books. In some cases they also publish books of RAW paid agents like Taslima N asreen. The cost of publication and distribution of such books is totally borne by RAW.But our publishing firms are publishing the writings of Indian writers ignoring own writers. Ananda Sankar Roy was all along a son of Indian soil. Gopal Haldar migrated to India prior to the partition of 1947, while Shayatten Sen went to India in 1971 and Shantimoy Ghosh in 1974. Yet'Muktadhara' and some other Bangladeshi publishing firms continue to publish their works".

'Muktadhara' also published Gopal Haldar's 'History of Bengali Literature' (two volumes), Shuvas Mukarjee's 'History of Bengalee' and Shatta Prashad Sen Gupta's 'Biography of Shakespeare'. Question aris~ why an Indian writer's History of Bengali literature was published. Why a Bengladeshi writer could not be asked to compile the same. Similarly is there any scarcity of talented writers in Bangladesh to write the History of Bengalee? Does not Bangladesh possess a son who could write the biography of Shakespeare?

Publishing house 'Khosroz Kitabistan' was once famous for pro-Muslim role. Unfortunately it "later changed its stance. The Islamic publications by this firm have reduced to a great extent. On the other hand, it has enhanced distribution of Indian books. They have distributed at least 20 books of Satyajit 'Roy. 'Khosroz Kitabistan' has also taken the resposibility for distributing 'Collections of Shukanta' published by 'Boimonch', Upendra Kishor Roy Chowdhury's 'Gopi Gayen - Bagha Baien' published by 'Beauty Book House'"About half out of 44 books published and distributed by 'Kakoli Prokashani' were written by Indian writers. This new publishing house published 12 books of Ashutos Mukherjee's short stories and novel. There is no dearth of novels and short story of wirters in Bangladesh but the firm's decision to publish and distribute Indian books was perhaps motivated by other reasons".

"Agami Prokashani' published more than one book of Nlmai Vattyacharya and Premendra Mittra. 'Nobo Prokash Bhavan' published some Indian books which are indispensable for the new recruits of the communists. These include: 'The Politics of the Children', and'The Economics of the Children'. It also published l;>ooks of Rahul Sanskretiyan and Nihar Sarkar on scientific Materialism(Daily Sangram : June 14, 1989).Six years have passed since the publication of the above report in Daily Sangram. But instead of checking the menace many other firms have started promoting Indian books.

RAW-Sponsored Educational Institutions

A number of RAW agents work as teachers in Bangladeshi educational institutions, specially in urban areas. Through these agents RAW strives to enlist Indian books in school syllabus and curriculum. It is reported that in some cases RAW sponsored publication firms endeavour to influence the Head Master or Headmistress or the Managing Committee members by giving them financial incentives to enlist Indian books.

RAW took particular interest in getting Indian books prescribed in English'Medium schools. These books have all Hindu characters and preach and pormote Indian causes, Hindu culture and history. The reason for RAW's special interest in English medium schools is that children of affluent class study in these schools. RAW felt that it will be more useful to subvert the said class. RAW has also encouraged its agents to open private schools and collages.These institutions, besides teaching books of Bangladesh Text Book Board, also teach many books of Indian authors or firms.

Experienced circles believe that a section of RAW influenced public servants is playing a vital role to promote marketing of Indian books in Bangladesh. Indeed Government policy makers are mainly responsible for creating market for Indian books. It is alleged that the concerned Government agencies do not take appropriate steps to develop local publication industry. The vacum helps in arranging easy access of Indian books into Bangladesh. The rate of customs duty on import of books is about 8% while tariff on imported white paper includes 45% custom duty and 15% VAT. As a result the price of paper is much higher. .Obviously due to high cost of printing paper, the prices of Bangladeshi books will always be higher than that of India. A survey of the market revealed that a Bangladshi book, 'A great Expedition to the Space' by Md. Jafar Iqbal containing 47 pages costs 28 Taka. The same amount is payable for an Indian book 'Kagajer Boi' containing 101 pages. A novel of Humayun Ahmed 'Saya Bithi' containing 100 pages costs 50 Taka, whereas, a novel of an Indian writer Nimai Vattyacharya containing 211 pages costs 40 Taka. Sanaullah Noori's 'Nijom Diper Upakatha' containing 80 pages costs 30 Taka, while Razia Khan's 'Droupodi' containing 153 pages costs 100 Taka. Sheikh Azizul Haq's'Aurangzeb's Secularism and Islam(an Indian book) containing 261 pages costs 50 Taka, while Sheikh Nurul Islam's 'Nazurl Jaboner As'surata Kahini' (Bangladeshi) containing 96 pages also costs Taka 50.

Due to such wide difference in prices between Bangladeshi and Indian books, Bangladeshi books are loosing market which in turn is being captured by Indian books. It is high time that the Government of Bangladesh takes some steps to correct the situation. Government can impose ban on import of all Indian books. It can also reduce tariff on the import of printing paper and printing materials to reduce cost of books published in Bangladesh. If the Government fails to take appropriate steps, the publication industry of Bangladesh is likely to face virtual extinction.

Book Publishers and Sellers Association of Dhaka alleged that the crisis in printing industry is created by RAW and its stooges. RAW wants to destroy Bangladesh's publication industry like other industries to make Dhaka dependent on Calcutta. for supply of books. RAW's objective seems to be to force closure of even our newspapers so that Indian dailies and weeklies can be easily sold here. The crisis in newsprint industry and ever rising cost of printing materials can be attributed to RAW's machinations to achieve that goal. Indians are also earning huge profits from book trading. Daily Inqilab wrote 'It is estimated tliat India earns annually around Tk 50 crores by legal exports of Its books and publications. The amount of illegal trade of books is much higher. But exports of books to India from Bangladesh is worth Taka 10 lakh only every year(Daily Inqilab : December 10, 1994).

From the above discussion it is obvious that RAW is making extensive efforts to prevent development of Bangladesh's own publishing industry. It is striving to establish dominating hold of Indian books and publications in Bangladesh. RAW's objectives in this regard, besides financial gains, are as follow :

a. To eliminate the spirit of nationalism, religious and moral values and undermine independent identity of Bangladeshi people.

b. To inject among Bangladeshi readers the seeds of Indian culture. To introduce them to the Hindu gods and goddess, puja, life-style and above all to inspire them to wipe out cultural boundary of Bangladesh which will ultimately pave the way for doing away with the geographical boundary of Bangladesh.

c. To create a reservoir of writers, book sellers, traders and importers dependent upon trade with India. They can be used for furthering RAW's general interests on required basis.

d. To cultivate Bangladeshi writers, intellectuals and authors for writing pro-Indian works by luring them through publication of their books.

CHAPTER-20

FARAKKA BARRAGE

India has been conspiring to cripple Bangladesh economically ever since its creation. With this goal in view, she has embarked upon a number of schemes. The most well known and disastrous among them is withdrawing water from the River Ganges thrpugh construction of a barrage at Farakka, 17 kilometresfrom Indo-Bangladesh border. Equitable sharing of water of common rivers is a right of both the countries. The unilateral withdrawal of water by upper riparian country is unjust and unlawful. As a result, colossal damage has been caused to agriculture; industry, afforestation, communication, fisheries and environment etc. of Bangladesh. Farakka Barrage has indeed become a macabre tragedy for Bangladesh.

The plan to construct a barrage at Farakka on the Ganges was made in 1951. However, due to the protests of the then Pakistan G,pvernment though meek, India followed 'go slow' policy in constructing the barrage. The golden opportunity came her way in 1971 when East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) seceded from Pakistan. India started construction of .Farakka Barrage at top speed and finished the work by 1974.Prior to commissioning the barrage, India committed to Bangladesh that she would not withdraw water until a solution regarding water-sharing was reached. India cheated Sheikh Mujib, the then President, with fake assurance of operating the barrage on 'experimental basis' for 41 days. The trial was to last from 21 April to 31 May 1975. But the said 'experiment' is continuing even after 20 years.

Indian government signed three agreements with three Presidents of Bangladesh i.e. Mujib, Zia and Ershad respectively. In the first agreement of 1975, 44 thousand cusecs of water was given to Bangladesh. In the second the share decreased by 10 thousand cusecs. The third and last was infact, a 'Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on October 7, 1982. India had insisted on memorandum rather than an agreement. She gained much more advantages through this MOU than she did through earlier agreements. Previously a guarantee clause had assured Bangladesh of 80% of water in any situation. But in the MOU this clause was removed on Indian insistence.The term of the MOU ended on May 31, 1984. Since then India has not been agreeing to renew even this memorandum despite repeated calls from Bangladesh. At present no agreement or understanding exists. in this regard. Exploiting the situation India is withdrawing the Ganges water at will.

State Minister for Irrigation, Water Resources and Flood Control, MosharrafHossain Shahjahan stated in the Jatiya Sangsad in reply to a question from an MP, Mr. Niamat Ullah that since 1972, Bangladesh and India have held 77 meetings at various levels including four summits at Prime Ministers level, to solve the issue of sharing water of the Ganges and other common rivers. According to the,statistics presented by the Minister, besides 4 summits, there were 17 ministerial level meetings, 13 meetings at the expert level, 21 meetings at the ministerial level under Joint Rivers Commission (JBC), two ministerial level meetings and 10 secretary level meetings under Joint Expert Committee formed in 1~85, six secretary level meetings on sharing of water of common rivers, two secretary level meetings under Joint Expert Committee formed in .1992, two foreign secretary level meetings in New Delhi and Dhaka on May 4, 1995 and June 24, 1995 respectively. The Minister further informed the House that except for the four summits at Prime Ministers level and two foreign secretary level meetings, the total expenditure on 71 meetings amounted to Tk 82 lakh.

Indian representatives assure in every meeting for a just solution but refuse to make-any parctical commitment(Bangladesh Times: September 7, 1995).When Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia visited India during 1992, the Indian Prime Minister Mr Narasimha Rao promised to ensure that Bangladesh would not suffer due to Farakka. Three years have lapsed since Narshimah Rao said these words but nothing has still been done to undo Bangladesh's sufferings.I would now enumerate a few sufferings inflicted on Bangladesh due to Farakka Barrage .

Decline of Water

From the year 1934 to 1974, even in the dry season,Ganges (known as the Padma in Bangladesh) would carry 1 lakh 5 thousand cusecs of water per second to the Bay of Bengal. According to the statistics provided by Water Development Board (WDB), during the second week of January, 1971, the water flow in the Padma was 151 thousand cusecs per second near Harding Bridge. In April 1990 the water flow was only 22 thousand cusecs, in 1991 20 thousand cusecs, in the following year it reduced to 13 thousand and in 1993 a measly 9 thousand cusecs was ayailable. The water flow decreased drastically to thousand cusecs at the same place in 1994.

On November 15, 1990, the height of the Padma water at Harding Bridge point was 10.2 meters. Just after 3 years, on the same date in 1993 the height had decreased to 9.8 meters, the next year on the same day it stood at 8.77m.The Padma, once termed as an 'arrogant' river with very strong current, is now a dead river due to a massive decrease in water. The mighty river with a breadth of 1600m has turned into a canal. Near the Harding Bridge itis only 5 to. 6 hundred metres wide. Even then it needs dredging every year.

Degree of Salinity (PPM) 1993 1994 1400 2800 4700 4800
6500 7300 6700 7950 3400 6850
The normal level of salinity in these rivers is 480 PPM(Daily Inqilab : December 17, 1994).

Recently the same daily published another report :

The saline water of the Bay of Bengal could not intrude into the mainland before construction of the Farakka Barrage. The forceful current of seaward rivers(particularly the confluence of the Padma and the Meghna) would prevent the intrusion. But Farakka menace has dropped the flow in dry season from 105,000 cusecs to 4000 cusecs. Resultantly the brine of the Bay now penetrates Khulna, Satkhira, eastern part of Bagerhat, Barisal, Jessore, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Chandpur and even upto Munshiganj and Kushtia'. Effect of salinity has been vitiating life and livelihood of the people inhabiting this vast locality. The Daily Ittefaq, a widely circulated newspaper of Dhaka has published a comparative pen picture of salinity increase during 1993-94, quoting Department of Environment (DOE), Khulna. The report shows degree of sever~ increase in salinity in the rivers of South Western Bangladesh.

Name of River Xem:. Quantity of E.C Quantity of Chloride
Per Centilitre Per litre
Rupsha (Khulna):
March 94 4500 micromoh 1880 milligram
March 95 7000 micromoh 5625. milligram
Bhairab (Khulna)

March 94 4100 micromoh 1630 milligram

March 95 4500 micromoh 3500 milligram
Pashur (Mongla)
March 94 10000 micrOmoh 6000 milligram
March 95 10500 micromoh 6500 milligram (Daily Ittefaq : April 7).

The experts on environments maintain that according to the standard approved by WHO, water is to be considered as 'polluted' if chloride is found above the level of 250 mg per litre.According to statistics of Water Development Board (WDB), in 1948 the salinity in rivers Khol Petna, Raimangal, Malancha, Mongla, Kalindi, Kobatak, Ichhamoti etc. and their tributaries was 18,000 microtus centimetres. In recent years its level has been continuing to increase and in 1992 it reached upto 42000 microtus cms. The experts apprehended that in 1995 the level will exceed 50,000 microtus cms.

Excessive salinity has created serious hindrances to different sectors of development and caused environmental and soil degradation in Banglaesh. The plants growing on such soil lose their vitality. The plants which can grow in salinity have upward roots to respire.When these roo~s are submerged in saline water the plants die. Due to this process the growth of Sunderban Forests is being hampered seriously. Farakka Barrage has slowed the flow of down stream rivers to a large extent and, therefore, these rivers are silted heavily. The saline water comes up during high tide into the Sunderban. But that harmful water cannot go down speedily during ebb-tide due to a decrease in the seaward movement resultantly the saline water remains for days and the plants suffer irreparable damage. Sources from the Department of forestry (DOF) remarked that only in 5 years (1987-92) 85% saplings of Sundari, Kakra, Pashor, Bain, Gewa etc. in Chandpari, Sharankhola, Satkhira and Khulna ranges of forest have died because of increasing level of salinity.As aconsequence the largest mangrove forest of world is on the verge of extinction. Sundari the principal plant in the Sunderbans spreads over a land of 577285 hectares.

In each hector, its average number is 296 while the total number of all other plants is only 254. Statistics reveal that there are a total of four and a half crores of Sundari trees in the huge forest, out of them, two and a half crore have been attacked with taproot disease. The DOF on examining found comparatively a high rate of salinity in 14 areas, these are the areas where the trees suffer the most from these diseases(Daily Inqilab : November 21, 1994).Prior to salinity attacks the forests of Sunderbans had not suffered from any disease(,so intensely. Besides water logging and salinity have gravely affected the habitation of tiger, deer and other wild animals in this forest. Since water has become saline these wild animals enter tJ;1e Indian portion of Sunderbans or the localities inhabited by people in search of drinking water, in doing so they either kill the inhabitants or are killed, thus diminishing some of the rare species of wild life and causing damage to human lives.

Adverse effect of salinity can be seen on plants, flowers and fruits of Sunderbans. The amount of honey earlier collected has reduced due to the suffering of the plants caused by Saline water. In 1990-91, 211.1 tons of honey was acquired but in 1993-94 the amount reduced to 27 tons only(Weekly Chitra BangIa: May 5, 1995.Increase of salinity is causing decrease in the number of crocodiles because conditions favourable for their reproduction are hampered. Their eggs become rotten due to salinity. Many migrate to safer areas during mating and laying period. Moreover, migrating birds .arriving in winter have decreased. Besides, cultivation of coconut, betel nut and other plants has been gravely affected.

Salinity lessens fertility of soil and particularly the proportion of nitrogen. As a result, this useful ingredient has decreased from 75 microgram to a very meager quantity of 11-15 microgram. Normally salinity of soil amounts to 2 EC. But in the South-West region of the country its amount is between 20 to 30 E.C.(Daily Janakantha : January 3, 1994).Saline intrusion has threatened mills and factories of Khulna. As salinity rose in Bhairab River, Khulna Newsprint Mill has been compelled to spend extra Tk 6 lakhs per month since 1991 to get fresh water from River Madhumati of Narail situated 30 miles upstream. The mill requires 400 tons of fresh water everyday. The most exceed 50,000 microtus cms.

Excessive salinity has created serious hindrances to different sectors of development and caused environmental and soil degradation in Banglaesh. The plants growing on such soil lose their vitality. The plants which can grow in salinity have upward roots to respire.When these roots are submerged in saline water the plants die. Due to this process the growth of Sunderban Forests is being hampered seriously.Farakka Barrage has slowed the flow of down stream rivers to a large extent and, therefore, these rivers are silted heavily. The saline water comes up during high tide into the Sunderban. But that harmful water cannot go down speedily during ebb-tide due to a decrease in the seaward movement resultantly the saline water remains for days and the plants suffer irreparable damage. Sources from the Department of forestry (DOF)remarked that only in 5 years (1987-92) 85% saplings of Sundari, Kakra, Pashor, Bain, Gewa etc. in Chandpari,Sharankhola, Satkhira and Khulna ranges of forest have died because of increasing level of salinity.

As aconsequence the largest mangrove forest of world is on the verge of extinction. Sundari the principal plant in the Sunderbans spread'S over a land of 577285 hectares. In each hector, its average number is 296 while the totalnumber of all other plants is only 254. Statistics reveal that there are a total of four and a half crores of Sundari trees in the huge forest, out of them, two and a half crore have been attacked with taproot disease. The DOF on examining found comparatively a high rate of salinity in 14 areas, these are the areas where the trees suffer the most from these diseases(Daily Inqilab : November 21, 1994).Prior to salinity attacks the forests of Sunderbans had not suffered from' any disease logging and salinity have gravely affected the habitation of tiger, deer and other wild animals in this forest. Since water has become saline these wild animals enter the Indian portion of Sunderbans or the localities inhabited by people in search of drinking water, in doing so they either kill the inhabitants or are killed, thus diminishing some of the rare species of wild life and causing damage to human lives.

Adverse effect of salinity can be seen on plants, flowers and fruits of Sunderbans. The amount of honey earlier collected has reduced due to the suffering of the plants caused by Saline water. In 1990-91, 211.1 tons of honey was acquired but in 1993-94 the amount reduced to 27 tons only( Weekly Chitra BangIa: May 5, 19Q5).Increase of salinity is causing decrease in the number of crocodiles because conditions favourable for their reproduction are hampered. Their eggs become rotten due to salinity. Many migrate to safer areas during mating and laying period. Moreover, migrating birds arriving in winter have decreased. Besides, cultivation of coconut, betelnut and other plants has been gravely affected.Salinity lessens fertility of soil and particularly the proportion of nitrogen. As a result, this useful ingredient has decreased from 75 microgram to a very meager quantity of 11-15 microgram. Normally salinity of soil amounts to 2 EC. But in the South-West region of the country its amount is between 20 to 30 E.C(Janakantha : January 3, 1994).

Saline intrusion has threatened mills and factories of Khulna. As salinity rose in Bhairab River, Khulna Newsprint Mill has been compelled to spend extra Tk 6 lakhs per month since 1991 to get fresh water from River Madhumati of Narail situated 30 miles upstream. The mill requires 400 tons of fresh water everyday. The most alarming thing is that every year the salinity intrudes more into the upstream. Symptoms of salinity are becoming visible even in the Madhumati. Thus in coming years more expenditure will be needed to collect fresh water from further upstream.Mongla port has been suffering froni ,the same menace.

In 1992, Tk 5 crores were spent to supply fresh water through pipes to the port. Maintenance of this system require lakhs of takas every year.Most of the industrial units of the area have beenthreatened with closure due to impact of salinity. Fetching fresh water from far off sources is highly expensive and thus increases production cost. Salinity has polluted water of ponds and tubewells in the greater Khulna and even Jessore region. As a result, many water borne diseases i.e., typhoid, hepatitis, diarrhoea, dysentery, kidney troubles etc. have broken out.If the degree of salinity could be limited within the tolerable level, none of the problems mentioned so far would arise. But then the rate of flow in the Padma must be at least 28000 cusecs feet per second near Harding Bridge. The question arises would India allow a discharge of this amount of water through Farakka Barrage?

Water decreases unusully in the Padma and inimitably monsoon shoals appear. This mighty river has dried up totally from Rajshahi to Charghat through a length of 30 miles. Then 100 miles of the downstream has turned into a pond. 250 miles length of the Padma from Pakishi to Goalundo is densely dotted with 10 thousand shoals. During the dry season even knee level water is encountered in the middle of the Padma(Daily Star: May 7, 1994).

In the past, large steamers would ply through the Padma. Now it is unfit even for goods-carrying boats. In the northern and the south-western region of the country, the 600 miles long waterway has shrinked just to 250 miles. Aricha, Nagarbari, Bhuapur etc, ferry ghats become inoperable frequently due to shortage of water in the river. Bridging, transfer of landing stations and other requirements cost every year large amount of money to the Inland Water Transport Authority (IWTA). Before the commissioning of Farakka Barrage 200 launches would ply from Khulna on 35 routes. Now 40/50 launches operate on 12 routes only.

25 rivers of the districts of Kushtia, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Jhenaidha; Magui"a, Narail, Satkhira and Faridpur originate from the Padma. Water flows through the Mathabhanga from the Padma to these rivers. But Farakka has dried up the mouth of Mathabhanga' and as a result these 25 rivers have also dried up. The beds of these 25 rivers are now used for cultivation in dry days.

The Ganges-Kobatak (G.K) is the largest irrigation project of Bangladesh. It supplies water from the Padma to 3 lakh acres of land. The project consists of 120 miles long main canal, 292 miles long branch canals and 62 miles long sub-branch canals. But scarcity of the Padma water has made the project ineffective. Agriclture in Kushtia, Jessore and Faridpur regions come to a standstill in dry months.

Problem of Water Scarcity

Farakka Barrage impedes natural flow of one of the longest rivers of the world. Its effect causes lack of speed of downstream flow. That is why the alluvial carried with high tide water cannot return to the sea during low-tide.This alluvial mud deposits 'at the river bed and causes siltation. So in the dry season, the Padma, its tributaries and other rivers related to them in the South-Western Bangladesh dry up almost completely. Most of the 113 tributaries of the Pamda become dry or have scarce water from November onwards.

Decrease in water flow of the Padma has caused damage of $ 85 milhon only in one year (1988-89). M. Majidul Haq, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, stated in the Parliament on February 5, 1995 that so far the total damage to Bangladesh due t.o Farakka Barrage amounts to Tk. 11300 crores.As river bed gets settled more and more day by day, its water carrying capacity gradually decreases. So floods have now become a common feature every year due to overflow of river water. Moreover, in rainy season India opens the gates at Farakka releasing large amount of water. This further affects the flood situation in Bangladesh. Such artificial flood caused widespread damage to 240929 hectares of land in 1988.

Unprecedented ecological damage by Farakka Barrage has already drastically degraded the climate and enviroments of 21 districts in the north-western Bangladesh. 1.2 crore acres of cultivable land is going'to turn into a desert. Gradual decrease in level of humidity in this region indicates desertification. Before 1975, April-May were the driest months while now humidity falls to the lowest in February i.e., 2 months earlier. This has also brought changes in temperature. In 1986, the highest and lowest temperature in March were 38°c and 21°C respectively. In 1992, it became 42°C and 20°C. The next years record was 44°C and 19°C. In 1994 the difference between these two levels remained unchanged but the lowest temperature fell alarmingly to 15°C.In the north-western region rainfall decreased as indicated by the following statistics: 28.75 inches during the period of June to September in 1987, 25.26 in 1988, 14.96 in 1992 and 14.20 in the next year.Huge withdrawal of upstream water has created drastic fall in the navigability of the River Pashur.

For this reason, the Government was compelled to shift the second sea-port from Chalna ,to Mongla at downstream. But only after a few years even Mongla has become unsuitable for large oceangoing ships.North Bengal Paper Mill at Pakshi faced serious shortage of water due to shoals in Padma. To overcome the crisis, Tk 33 lakh were spent in Feb 1991 while in the previous year Tk 29 lakh were spent for getting additional water. The mill sources disclosed that everyday it requires 1100 tons of water. To ensure regular water supply deep tubewells may have to be dug but it will cost a large amount of money i.e., Tk 3 crores(Daily Inqilab : March 9, 1991).

Farakka's impact has also destoryed fisheries resources of Bangladesh. During 1983-84, a total of 90082 tons of Hilsa fish were caught but it reduced to 66, 809 tons during 1990-91. More than 4 thousand tons of Hilsa fish were caught in 1980-81 in the Padma alone. But the quantity fell very sharply to 565 tons in 1990-91. Not only in the Padma, but also in the Jamuna and the Meghna, amount of Hilsa catch reduced considerably.There has been decline in production of other species of fish as well. In the fiscal year 1983~84 only the Padma produced 10 thousand tons of fish. During 1990-91 it decreased to only 1 thousand-ton(Daily Star: October 5, 1991).

Experts in a seminar 'held at Rajshahi Univeristy disclosed that 'Bangladesh looses Tk 4 crores every year due to decline of fish assets caused by Farakka(Daily Inqilab : November 7,1994).Nature has no geo-political boundaries. Rivers are also an integral component of nature. They flow through different regions and states and ultimately enter the sea. Therefore, no particular country can claim control or prevent the flow of a common river. The said argument fully applies in the case of the Ganges. No power, forum,government, state or authority, nowsoever mighty jt may be, possesses the right to deprive a lower riparian country,as Bangladesh, of the water of an international or transboundary river like the Ganges.One fourth area of the world is situated in the basins of international rivers. 15 out of 19 largest rivers flow over two or more countires. A UN survey report mentions that water of more than 200 rivers is shared by the concerned states on mutual understanding.

Among these rivers, 148 flow through 2 countries or states, 31 flow through 3 countries and 21 flow through 4 or more(Daily Janakantha : December 20, 1994). More than two hundred agreements have already been signed for sharing the water of the internatiohal rivers.In these circumstances, India cannot deprive Bangladesh of its rightful share of 54 common rivers including the Ganges. The eighth clause of the Helsinki Convention says, 'None can violate the right' of a country regarding use of an international river'. Regulation related to international flow of water of 1911, Barcelona Convention of 1921, Helsinki Rules of 1966 and even the 2nd clause of article No.5 of the rules adopted by Affro Asian legal consultative committee in New Delhi can easily compel unyielding India to agree to give her lower riparian neighbour its due share.

Very recently four nations of south-east Asia have reached mutual understanding for sharing the Mekong River water. Different states have been sharing water of rivers like Rhine, Danube, Congo, Nile, Amazon, Zambesi,Chad, .Indus etc. No upstream country generally obstructs water to deprive a downstream nation. But India is a burning exception, no doubt.According to international laws all countries irrespective of their size, population, location, religion, language etc.are equal to one another. So there remains legally no disparity of the status and rights between a huge India and Even if a river originates in a particular country and then crossess border, that country cannot deprive others of its water.

The Ganges is not Indian in origin. It originates from Gangotri Glacier of the Himalyas in Tibet, China and also passes through NepaL Thus India has no legal right to exploit the Gl;lnges water alone. The damage caused by Farakka Barrage is much greater than that done by the explosion of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki'in Japan, during the Second World War. The damage caused by these two atomic bombs was lesser than the damage Farakka Barrage is causing each year to Bangladesh.

India is well aware of the grave damage it is causing to Bangladesh through Farakka. She is also aware of vulnerability of her stand if the matter is referred to an international body for adjudication. However, despite this, India is not willing to give rightfull share of water to Bangladesh. She is now conspiring to make Bangladeshi people accept the Farakka menace as a fait accompli.RAW has been given the task to make Farakka palatable and acceptable to the Government and people of Bangladesh.Working according to Kautilliyan precepts, RAW has adopted multi pronged approach in this regard. RAW has hired many mercenary writers, so called experts, Government officials and even political leaders who, with the help of misleading data fed by RAW, propagate that Bangladesh should accept whatever share India is offering. They even unabashedly state that Bangladesh has no other option but to acquiesce to India's offer' as fait
accompli. It is indeed ironic to see that Indian lobby in Bangladesh can go to such an extent.

The other aspect of RAW's strategy is to link Farakka with other irrelevant issues i.e. Transit Route. Apparently there is no linkage between the two but RAW, through its agents has been propagating adoption of a 'package deal i.e., in return for some water of Ganges, Bangladesh shouJdgrant transit route to India. The irony is that some senior Government officials as well as political leaders particularly of a pro-Indian political party have been advocating the said approach for resolving Faraka issue. Yet another method employed by RAW to keep the issue in back burner is through exerting pressure on Government. A Government which adopts obstinate stand on the issue is destabilized through different means. Even assassination of President Ziaur Rahman is stated to be planned due to his stepping excessively out of the line on the issue.

RAW has become a tool for persuing dirty tricks of Indian foreign policy. Even a purely humanitarian, techinical and legal problem like Farakka has been entrusted to its machinations in the effort to impose a favourable solutions on a sm~ller, helpless neighbour.It is the resposibility of all patriotic and sensible Bangladeshis to rise in protest against such great injustice. Failure to do so will mean RAW's success in imposing fait accompli. The intellectuals should come fQrward to unite people to snatch our due share of water from India.The construction of Farakka Barrage over the River Ganges and its disastrous effects over economy of Banglad'esh are now well known. However, many Bangladeshis and World community in particular are not fully aware of Indian designs about other common rivers. India enjoys control of 54 common rivers entering into Bangladesh due to her geographical location. India is openly violating all principles and international treaties regarding the use of water of these rivers. India has erected 40 barrages, dams and storage reservoirs including Farakka Barrage on 20 different rivers for the purpose of controlling the water of these rivers. Water withdrawing infrastructures liki canals have been built at 18 places on 17 rivers and five huge reservoirs have been constructed on three rivers.

Names of the rivers on which India has constructed barrages, dams and reservoirs are Ganges, Tista, Brahmaputra, Ichamoti, Kalini; Surma, Kushiara, Koai, Monu,Muhuri, Feni, Chiri, Chengi, Gumoti, Punarvoba, Mahananda, Sankosh, Piang, Nile, Komol, Dholai, Dudhkumar, Sallongi, Kherua, Ghora Mara and Kata Chara. The affected districts are Sylhet, Maulovibazar, Hobiganj, Comilla, Feni, Khagrachari, Kushtia, Meherpur, Jessore, Satkhira, Rajshahi, Naogaon Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Lal Monirhat and Netrokona. The environments, communication and economy of all these places have been adversely affected(Daily Al Mujadded : February 1, 1995).

Details of some of the completed or under construction projects on common rivers and their effects on Bangladesh are discussed in succeeding paras :Surma and Kushiara. India has planned to construct a barrage at Tepai, Assam on the Borakriver. The barrage will be 161 feet high and will take 14 years for completion. The Borak river before entering into Bangladesh gets divided into two branch rivers named Surma and Kushiara.

Thus construction of said barrage will blockade water of Surma and Kushiara rivers. If it comes into operation the whole north-eastern region of Bangladesh including districts of greater Comilla, Netrokanaand Syslhet will face shortage of water of Manu, Dholai and Khoai. The 176 Km long Manu River enters Bangladesh near Gobindapur. in Maulovibazar District and merges with Khusiara River after running 85km into Bangladesh. India has constructed a barrage on Manu River near Kanchanbari'in Tripura state. The 95 metres long barrage which cost Rs 89,crore has resulted in denuding water for irrigation projects of Bangladesh and. 30,000 acres of Bangladesh soil has been turned barren. Many deltas have appeared in Bangladeshi part of River Manu because of the said barrage. Communication, environments and fisheries have been seriously affected due to tL-. said barrage. It is feared that the Sylhet region will gradually turn into desert due to construction of this barrage.1 The barrage in Kanchanbari also affected flow of two other small rivers, Dholai and Khoai. The water level of these rivers has declined to such an extent that heavy vehicles can pass through these rivers. Bangladesh can not undertake irrigation projects on these rivers, thus nearly 1,30,000 acres of cultivable land is not being utilized due to lack of water.

Brahamaputra. It is a mighty river which originates from Koilash peaks glacier. .After entry into Bangladesh it is known as 'Jamuna'. It joins the Ganges near Aricha. India has built a dam on one of its branch rivers in Assam.She now plans to construct a link canal to divert its water into Ganges upstream of Farakka. The details of this project have been explained seperately in another chapter.

Tista. This is a vital river for the northern districts of Bangladesh. It is a tributary of the Brahamaputra. The Government of Pakistan had commissioned an irrigation project on the river in 1958-59 to provide water to 14 million acres of land besides saving 1.9 million acres of land from flood in the. river. Later India built a barrage on the upper riparian of this river near Kazal Doba which neutralized the Tista Barrage project in Bangladesh. After lot of negotiations in 1983 Bangladesh was able to get released 36% of the water which is not sufficient for meeting water needs of the area.

Muhuri. Emanating from the Indian state of Tripura, Muhuri River enters Bangladesh in Feni District. India has built a barrage on this river to provide irrigation facilities to Tripura, thus changing the route and normal flow of the river. It has resulted in severe damage to the irrigation in Bangladesh due to shortage of water.Mahananda. Mahananda enter into Bangladesh from India in N awabganj District. India has constructed a barrage over the river at Tatutiya near the Indo-Bangladesh border. The whole Nawabjanj district which dependp on the water of this river is now facing serious water shortage.

Punarvoba. After entering Bangladesh River Punarvoba flows across the districts of Rajshahi and Dinajpur. India has made a barrage over the river near Karmudanga. Thus Bangladesh has been deprived of the legitimate share of water of this river as well.

Gumoti. River Gumoti originates from the Indian state of Tripura and flows into Bangladesh near Bibirbazar of Comilla district. The entire irrigation of the district Comilla depends on this river. Indians have constructed a barrage on Gumoti River as well depriving the entire Comilla district of its rightful due of water.

Ichamoti. It enters into Bangladesh from the western side of Khulna. It is the mainstay of the entire district's irrigation. India has. constructed a barrage near Sharupnagar on the river which has adversely affected the irrigation in Khulna District.

Talma. Indians have started constuction of a barrage on Talma River. India intends to divert the waters of Talma for irrigation projects in U.P. and Bihar states by constructing a link canal. After completion of this barrage almost 10 rivers including River Talma will have no water and DinR,'pur district will face an acute water shortage. All the irrigaL;on projects in the district will be adversely
affected.

The erection of such infranstructures has also caused loss of valuable soil of Bangladesh which has been captured by Indians to satisfy their evil hegemonistic designs. For example construction of dam over Muhuri River tesulted in creating a Char near Feni district in Bangladesh. The same, comprising of t 100 acres of land belonging to Bangladesh has now. been captured by Indians violating international rules and norms. Similarly, they have usurped 12 sq miles land in Sylhet due to creation of Char in Kushiara River. The irony is that Bangladesh authorities have not taken any bold steps to check evil Indian designs regarding the common rivers of India and Bangladesh. So much so that the sixth session on Internation River Law Convention held in Oct-Nov. 1993, the proposals forwarded by Bangladeshi delegation were against the interests of Bangladesh. This was disclosed to the prime Minister by a secret source.

The Prime Minister discussed the matter with a hydrology expert Dr. Saiyad Moinuddin Hussain who confirmed the laws in the aforesaid proposals. Resultantly the Prime Minister in consultation with the Cabinet, decided to authorise Dr. M. N. Hussain to put forward new Bangladeshi proposals in the session but to his utter surprise the Foreign Ministery foiled the move. Poeple question what more evidence is required to prove RAW's hold over the. Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh(Daily Inqilab : October 23, 1994).The Daily Inqilab also reported that during the said conference a proposal in favour of upstream countries came up fOf consideration. Bangladeshi representative did not oppose it. He rather spoke in favour of the upper riparian countries.

Representatives of other affected countries were taken aback by such suspicious behavior of the Bangladeshi delegate. It should be amply clear to the Bangladeshi nationals that if the existing international river laws are amended, Bangladesh will have no right to protest on international forums against Indian evil designs with regard to common rivers. India will be able to cause colossal damage to Bangladesh by withdrawing water of these rivers with impunity. HoweveJ, RAW's agents, and coterie in Bangladesh are as usual ready to help India even at the peril of supreme national interests.