No general information concerning the structures, organization or personnel of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) in the city of Khulna between 1990 and 1997 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. What follows is a chronological listing of media references to the BNP in Khulna:

February 1994 - Shaykh Sayeedur Rahman (BNP) elected mayor of Khulna City Corporation (Radio Bangladesh 31 Jan. 1994; Reuters 7 Feb. 1994; Far Eastern Economic Review 10 Feb. 1994).

February 1995 - BNP politician killed by unidentified gunman in Khulna; 20 people injured in subsequent street clashes (Reuters 26 Feb. 1995).

September 1995 - BNP and opposition activists clash on eve of nation-wide general strike in several towns including Khulna (DPA 16 Sept. 1995) .

September 1995 - Clash between BNP and Awami League (AL) student organizations in Khulna leaves 10 injured (Bangladesh Observer 21 Sept. 1995).

January 1996 - BNP facing internal challenges in numerous constituencies including Khulna in advance of general election (DPA 21 Jan. 1996).

January 1996 - Shaikh Razzak Ali, speaker of the dissolved parliament elected uncontested in Khulna on BNP ticket (DPA 24 Jan. 1996).

January 1996 - BNP leaders blame opposition parties for violence during a visit of BNP Prime Minister Khaled Zia; signatories to the statement issued include M. Nurul Islam, A.K.M. Ziauddin, Nazrul Islam (Manjoo) and Kazi Sekander Ali Dalim described as Presidents and General Secretaries of the Khulna unit of the BNP (Bangladesh Observer 29 Jan. 1996).

February 1996 - Joint Secretary of District BNP in Khulna Advocate Gazi Abdul Bari seriously injured when attacked by "miscreants" (Bangladesh Observer 10 Feb. 1996).

March 1996 - Khulna BNP bring out procession hailing efforts of Prime Minister Khaled Zia, led by Nurul Islam and Nazrul Islam Manjoo, described as local leaders of the BNP (Bangladesh Observer 13 Mar. 1998).

March 1996 - "Non-cooperation movement" organized by opposition leads to clashes between BNP and opposition supporters in Khulna, paralyzing the city (Dhaka Courier 15 Mar. 1996).

April 1996 - Prime Minister Khaleda Zia addresses a "packed BNP rally" in Khulna (Reuters 23 Apr. 1996).

October 1996 - Twenty people injured in clashes between the labour wings of the AL and BNP in Khulna (Bangladesh Observer 5 Oct. 1996).

October 1996 - AL supporters allegedly attack a BNP procession in Khulna leading to 15 injuries (Bangladesh Observer 26 Oct. 1996).

November 1996 - BNP student wing worker beaten to death by unknown attackers (Bangladesh Observer 5 Nov. 1996).

November 1996 - BNP student wing leaders reject results of Khulna student union elections (Bangladesh Observer 7 Nov. 1996).

January 1997 - BNP and AL labour wing supporters exchange gunfire and launch homemade bombs at each other, injuring six (Bangladesh Observer 4 Jan. 1997).

March 1997 - BNP and AL labour wing supporters clash again, 50 people injured (Bangladesh Observer 10 Mar. 1997).

March 1997 - BNP calls nation-wide general strike over the "granting of transit rights to India" by the AL government; Khulna among cities affected (Reuters 23 Mar. 1997; DPA 23 Mar. 1997).

July 1997 - BNP march in Khulna reportedly attacked, no injuries reported (AFP 3 July 1997).

August 1997 - Report of rumours that Khulna Mayor Tayebur Rahman planning to quit BNP (Dhaka Holiday 18 Aug. 1997).

October 1997 - Report of alleged attack by BNP workers on Khulna "Police Super's office" (Bangladesh Observer 9 Oct. 1997).

December 1997 - Khulna affected by nation-wide strike called by BNP in protest against Chittagong Hill Tracts peace agreement (AFP 7 Dec. 1997).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Response.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 7 December 1997. "Bangladesh Police Tear Gas Protestors as Strike Grips Dhaka." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 July 1997. "Opposition Anti-Budget General Strike Grips Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Bangladesh Observer. 9 October 1997. "Attacks on Khulna SP Office by BNP Men Alleged."

_____. 10 March 1997. "AL, BNP Clash in Khulna, 50 Injured."

_____. 4 January 1997. "6 Workers Hurt in Khulna Clash Over Control of Ghat."

_____. 9 November 1996. "BCL Wins in Two Khulna College Elections."

_____. 5 November 1996. "Khulna BL Student Beaten to Death."

_____. 26 October 1996. "15 Injured in AL-BNP Clash in Khulna."

_____. 5 October 1996. "AL-BNP Labour Fronts Clash in Khulna Ghat, 20 Injured."

_____. 13 March 1996. "8 Injured in Khulna Clashes."

_____. 10 February 1996. "Two More Killed in Rajshahi, Noman, DC Khulna Attacked."

_____. 29 January 1996. "Khulna BNP Slates AL, JP, Jamaat."

_____. 21 September 1995. "JCD-BCL Clash in Khulna: 10 Hurt."

Dhaka Courier. 15 March 1996. Zohurul Islam. "Non-Cooperation Puts Country on Hold."

Dhaka Holiday [Internet version, in English].18 August 1997. "Long Persisting Intra-Party Differences in BNP Viewed." (FBIS-NES-97-239 27 Aug. 1997/WNC)

Deutshe Presse-Agentur (DPA). 23 March 1997. "Street Clashes Mark BNP's Strike Against Transit Rights to India." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 January 1996. "Khaleda Zia and Eight Ministers Returned Unopposed in Bangla Polls." (NEXIS)

_____. 21 January 1996. "Bangladesh Ruling Party Faces Stiff Rebellion in Ranks." (NEXIS)

_____. 16 September 1995. "Paramilitary Troops Patrol Empty Streets During Bangla Strike." (NEXIS)

Far Eastern Economic Review. 10 February 1994. "Poll Reversal."

Reuters. 23 March 1997. Anis Ahmed. "Police Detain Over 150 in Bangladesh Strike." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 April 1996. Anis Ahmed. "Ershad's Followers Threaten Civil Disobedience." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 February 1995. "Bangladesh Crisis of Confidence Over Polticians." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 February 1994. "Ruling BNP Drops Six Leaders in Post-Polls Violence." (NEXIS)

Radio Bangladesh [Dhaka, in Bengali]. 31 January 1994. "Mayoral Results Announced." (BBC Summary 3 Feb. 1994/NEXIS)