A brief scan of media reports on Bangladesh for the months of June-August 2002 shows that the country is struggling to maintain internal law and order. Political rivalry between the ruling Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the opposition Awami League (AL), often turned violent. There have been twelve reported incidents of violent clashes between their party activists resulting in the death of seven persons and injury to many others during these three months. High levels of small arms proliferation appear to be related to growing crime rates. There were more than 20 reported murders during this period and 262 small arms with many rounds of ammunition were recovered. A troubling quantity of explosives have also been reportedly seized. The number of arrests by the police stood at a staggering 37133, relating to cases under investigation and seizure of arms. Excesses of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) brought in to assist the police, against civilians and students were highlighted. This chaotic state of law and order situation, besides inducing public insecurity, endangers public freedom and liberty with the possibility of the police committing excesses on the plea of controlling crime. The Awami League in opposition was not found wanting in sounding off about state terror. In mid July, its supremo, Sheikh Hasina alleged that 4.5 lakh AL activists are wrongly detained on fabricated charges.

  Other internal security concerns include the BNP government’s efforts to erase the fundamentalist image conferred by sections of the international media, drug trafficking and consumption, poverty and corruption. The country has been dubbed the most corrupt in the world in the latest UNDP reports. Assault on journalists, and government censoring of the press surfaced. On 18th June Reporters sans Frontières (RSF), a Paris-based organisation for the rights of journalists, released a report which revealed that as many as 145 journalists were assaulted or threatened with death, one murdered, four detained by the authorities and 16 newsrooms or press clubs attacked in the eight months since Prime Minister Khaleda Zia assumed power. The perpetrators of 90 per cent assaults have been identified as 'political militants, mafia groups, and police officers'. 

On Defense 

  This period witnessed Lt Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury taking over as Chief of Army Staff from the retiring Gen. Harun-ar-Rashid. The defense allocations got reduced by Tk. 141 Crores for the fiscal 2002-03. The jettisoning of Mig-29 aircrafts to reduce spending is another issue of note.

Politics: 

  The Awami League’s boycott of the Jatiya Sangshad (JS)- the Bangla Parliament, speculation as to whether and when it will rejoin the JS; desirability, advisability and likely effects on the democratic practice in the country; walkouts, accusations of discrimination inside the parliament; and allegations of persecution, featured prominently in the media. The removal of President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury raised much debate. Student politics remain a hotly debated issue in Bangladesh, with its banning advocated by the ruling party.

Indo-Bangladesh relations: 

  The border killings remain a persistent irritant. There were 11 reported incidents involving the death of 13 Bangladeshis allegedly killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). The other issue of concern was the deluge of contraband Indian goods into Bangladesh. Indian allegations about insurgent and terrorist base camps in Bangladesh and the denial thereof also remains a contentious issue. The Dhaka-visit of the Indian Foreign Minister, Yashwant Sinha, in late August saw some of these issues being discussed, besides clearing much of the misgivings between the two countries over the Dhaka-visit of Pakistani President, Gen. Musharraf, earlier in the fag end of July. The issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India found no mention in Bangladeshi national newspapers.

Foreign Relations: 

  Thailand and Bangladesh resolved to strengthen BIMSTEC (Bangladesh -India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation) following the Dhaka-visit of Thai Premier, Dr Thaksin Shinawatra in July. Their bilateral relations received a boost after Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan’s Bangkok-visit in June for the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). Bangladesh agreed to train Bhutanese police personnel following the visit of Bhutanese police Chief, Wangdi Shering, in late June. The two countries also resolved to strengthen SAARC. Qatar withdrew its restrictions on manpower recruitment from Bangladesh while Greece agreed to recruit seamen from Bangladesh. China lauded the role of the Bangladesh Army in UN Peace-keeping Operations, and assured continued support and cooperation for its development. Bangla- Malaysian relations was tested by the expiry of work permits of 70000 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, and their imminent evacuation. The visit by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf saw the two countries underscoring the need for closer ties in view of shared history, religion and culture. This included defense cooperation. Bangladesh and Nepal agreed to hold trade talks in the near future. Mid-June witnessed the closure of the Bangladeshi mission in Brazil.

  Overall, Bangladesh, as reflected in the media, appears to be engrossed in issues related to crime, internal political rivalry, and law and order problems, rather than with substantive issues pertaining to foreign relations or development.