Sheikh Hasina: India tip-off foils coup to dislodge Bangladesh Prime Minister | Mail Online
India tip-off foils coup to dislodge Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Attempt by rebels to oust Sheikh Hasina is thwarted
By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury
20th January 2012
India has helped Bangladesh avert what could have been reminiscent of the bloody military takeover in the wake of the assassination of the country's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, more than 36 years ago.
An attempt by rebels in the Bangladesh army, with the help of 'a foreign power', to stage a coup to dislodge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was foiled.
Though the news of the failed attempt was made public on Thursday, the plot is believed to have been unearthed last month. A military court of inquiry was set up on December.
The Bangladesh army has assured stern legal measures against all masterminds and conspirators.
Senior minister and Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam has vowed to punish the conspirators.
Sources said a reported tip-off from India helped the army preempt the bid by middle-ranking serving officers with active support from retired armymen.
It is believed that New Delhi alerted the Hasina government, which enabled the Bangladesh army to trace the plotters by tracking the cell phone call records.
Acting swiftly, the government arrested retired officers Lt-Col Ehsan Yusuf and Major Zakir. Army spokesperson Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq said the duo had 'admitted to their role in the plot'.
The army is also pointing to the role of banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut- Tahrir. But the key plotter, Major Syed Mohammad Ziaul Huq alias Zia, a serving officer, is absconding.
He was allegedly in touch with the serving officers through cell phone and internet to hatch the conspiracy.The role of Major- General Kamruzzman is also under the scanner. He may have been put under house arrest.
Brigadier Razzaq said at the instigation of some nonresident Bangladeshis, some serving as well as retired officers with 'extreme religious views have tried to create disorder in the army riding on the religious sentiments of other officers'.'Such heinous attempts are being foiled by the army,' he stressed at a press conference on Thursday. Brigadier Razzaq said Major Zia tried to provoke a 'senior officer into using the army against the state and democracy'.
The officer informed the appropriate authorities and Zias leave and transfer order was cancelled.
But he did not return to work and is still engaged in trying to organise subversive activities.
As many as 14 to 16 people are believed to be linked to the coup attempt.Though the army did not name the 'foreign power' that is suspected to have a hand, it is understood that Bangladesh is closely monitoring the recent visit of a senior Pakistani diplomat to Kolkata.
Hardliners and Islamists in Bangladesh and their supporters in the army are believed to be wary of the countrys close relations with India since Hasinas return to power in 2009.
Sources said the ongoing war crime trial of top Jamaat-e-Islami leadership, who collaborated with the Pakistan army in 1971, could also be a reason behind the coup attempt.The Jamaats link with Pakistan is no secret.
