DHAKA: Bangladesh’s security forces foiled an attempt by nearly 5,000 Muslims, demanding the reconstruction of the Babri Mosque, to lay a siege to the Indian High Commission here Feb.20. The riot police put up barricades to stop the fundamentalists’ march Organized by “Islamic Shasantantra Andolan,” 500 yards away from the high commission in the Dhan Mandi residential area in central Dhaka. Later, five member delegations led by Maulana Syed Mohd Fazlul Karim, Spokesman for the organizers, went to the high commission and handed over a memorandum that among other things demanded the reconstruction of the Babri mosque and banning of puja on the rubble of the mosque. At Ayodhya.
The demonstration on the issue ‘of Babri masque was the second, after the abortive long march towards the Indo Bangladesh border on January 4, The long march action committee leader Maulana Azizul Hao had led the march which was dispersed after the police opened fire near the Jessor Benapole border leaving at least five persons dead.
The ICM in its memorandum also called for resolving all outstanding bilateral issues, including the water sharing at the Farakka barrage and determination of the ownership of the south Talpatty. It also urged the Indian govern ment to stop alleged persecution of Muslims in Kashmir and “recognize” their independence.
The ICM said the Indian Government will have to bear the responsibilities of any situation and sing out of the no implementation of their demand.
Earlier, people wearing white caps assembled at the premises of the Central Baitul Mukarram mosque from where they started the procession at around 11:30 a.m. towards the high commission.
The police closely followed the precisionists who shouted various slogans for the reconstruction of the mosque.
Before the procession started, ICM leaders addressed the precisionists. The Speakers criticized the Indian Government.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 26, 1993
