Article 46 can solve Bangladesh's curent problem

It is good that AL will join a pre-dialogue today with the CTG for a fuller and bigger dialogue to resolve current political crises, which is looming in the horizon. Although the Constitution is the major source of current trouble in Bangladesh, interestingly, the solution to this current impasse can also be found in the Constitution, if all parties are willing to accept the supremacy of the Constitution. Article 46 of the Constitution can be a good basis for this type of negotiated-dialogue. Allow me to explain why am I saying so.

Artcle 46 of the Bangladesh Constitution is about power to provide indemnity. It reads:......Parliament may by law make provision for indemnifying any person in the service of the Republic or any other person in respect of any act done by him in connection with:

a) the national liberation struggle, or
b) the maitenance or
c) restoration or
d) order in area in Bangladesh or
e) validate any sentence passed, punishment inflicted, forfeiture ordered, or
f) any other act

done in any such area.

We can easily rule out (a) and can broaden definition/explanation of b, c, d and e has already happened in regard to anti-corruption drive. (f) can also be broadened with the help of the Supreme Court getting its reference on this explanation of 'any act'

So, instead of asking specific ratification of all actions of the CTG, it would be good to focus on indemnifying their actions so that a solution can be found acceptable to all parties.

MRS. GENERALS OF BANGLADESH

Sunita Paul has written two interesting pieces recently in Asian Tribune that show wives of the Bangladesh Generals are becoming more powerful than their husbands. It is alleged that some wives of army officers have even started collecting ransom from people by black mailing them by using the state machinery. Law enforcing agencies, judiciary and even the army itself are helpless in the hands of these nasty elements.

Recently, one woman named Liza, who is the wife of a major of Bangladesh army demanded cash ransom from a business house in the country. When the owners declined such illegal demand, this woman has lodged false cases against those businessmen and doing everything to harass them by using the influence of her husband. Despite written complaints lodged by the owners of the company, no action has ever been taken against Liza for reason unknown.

Here is Sunita's piece that dealt with emerging beauty and the beasts in Bangladesh.

"...a large number of beauties (mostly wives of military officers) are becoming increasingly influential in the society. They can do almost everything. Grabbing properties, taking bank loans, blackmailing, and promotions – in short anything. Names of the wives of a number of top ranking military officials are in circulation in Dhaka, who is no less influential as well corrupt than any of the previous 'mighty beauties'.

Members of the law enforcing agencies, civil bureaucracy and judiciary are always in extreme fear. They will have to abide by any 'request' (in fact threat and order) from any of the wives of the military men in doing any favor. It is the easiest way in Dhaka in these days to get anything done. Just mention the name of your husband – who he is. He must be one of the officers in Bangladesh Army. That is enough.

It is also alleged that, many of such mighty beauties in Dhaka are involved in 'Syndicate' which is cashing millions of Taka by increasing prices of essentials according to their whims and greed. Country's economy has already reached the last border of bankruptcy. Business community in Bangladesh is in a state of nightmare. They do not have any confidence of continuing businesses smoothly. Because, they too know, any time they may fall into the greedy eyes of opportunists. And that will be the beginning of series harassments for those businessmen, until he agrees to compensate that quarter with heavy ransom. Army wives are increasingly becoming more and more aggressive in their illegal activities. They too know, no one can stop them. Because, they possibly are above laws.

http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/10366