Untold Facts

Indian Professionals Appointed in Key Positions in BTRC Poses Threat to Bangladesh Security

Many were amazed to know of an authentic report published in some Dhaka dailies on the October 02 (09) that five Indian nationals have of late been appointed in some key professional positions in the BTRC (Bangladesh Telephone Regulatory Corporation). They are placed in such senior positions that through them, if they wish so, many critical State secrets may easily be passed on outside the country. Why did this happen? Doesn’t Bangladesh possess any expertise of the persons so appointed? Can’t Bangladesh train such professionals for internal appointment?

The news reminded me of a fact. Khondoker Moustaque Ahmad, the post August 1975 coup President of Bangladesh some time latter told me that after assuming the charge of the office of the President the first thing he did was to get the international telephone system until them connected to the outside world through Delhi was snapped and get that connected to the outside world through Singapore. I believed him because there was no reason in that matter to disbelieve him in the context of many other things in relation to Delhi following India’s active participation in the 1971 war and total hold on Bangladesh administration.

Apparently, the Awami League Government of Sheikh Mujib having absolute power run the Government but in reality he had been in practical terms a puppet of Delhi. His puppetry had been formalized in March 1972 in terms of the 25 treaty, the articles 8, 9 and 10, in particular. These terms, if read in togetherness, clearly implied that Bangladesh was a country subservient to India so much so that Bangladesh would have friend outside only after having had nod of Delhi. Not only that. Bangladesh would not buy arms for her defense from any source unapproved by Delhi.

The condemned treaty had expired in 1997, and Mujib’s daughter Sheikh could not renew the same for stiff opposition of the patriotic people. Delhi appreciated the open difficulties about such treaty. In 2009 Delhi with the CHNAKYN policy in view preferred for covert ways instead of overt policies. The appointment of the five senior specialists in the BTRC can be nothing but one such mode.

It is, however, a fact that Delhi did not appoint them by themselves. Bangladesh authorities have employed them. Why and how did they do that is the crucial question?
Cynics have been saying all along since January 2009 that Pinak R. Chakravarty, the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, runs now Bangladesh just as Indian senior Indian bureaucrats like P.N. Hasker, D.P. Dhar, etc. and Indian Army General Oban of the Indian Intelligence Service, R&AW would run this country in reality soon after 1971.

It was a matter of fortune for Bangladesh that some courageous and intelligent journalists have worked hard to expose the matter of appointment of five Indian specialists but just in only one organization. None can be sure that other important organizations have not been infected with such serious viruses that our still more intelligent, smart and courageous journalists would expose the rest all sooner than latter for Bangladesh’s national security and survival.

Author: Dr. M.T. Hussain