Background

Kansat – The wind will lead us

The Backdrop
TimeLine
Human Rights Violation

Unlike many unanswered questions in Bangladesh, one question has a straightforward answer – why is there so much scarcity of power supply? Plain and simple reason is, because the demand far exceeds the supply. According to the 1995 Energy System Master Plan, the projected demand of electricity was around 4,600 megawatt (mw) in 2005. Now it is believed to be around 5,000 mw. Government claims that the country has capacity to generate around 4,790 mw of power. But the actual production is not believed never to exceed 3200 -3400 mw. No matter how conservative the estimates are, there is always a shortage of 1200-1500 mw across the country.
As far as power supply is concerned, Bangladesh is divided into 2 zones – East and West. Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chittagong division, which are on the east bank of the rivers Jamuna and Meghna, comprise the East zone; while Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi, and greater Faridpur division fall under the West zone. According to the 2004 National Energy Policy, established power plants in the East Zone generate around 82% of the total power and the rest is in the West Zone. Dhaka division alone consumes 50% of the nation’s total power with approximately 78% used by the East zone. The West Zone is subject to less power supply by design of distribution of energy across the country.
The present government has pledged power supply for everybody by the year 2020 in their vision statement. Although existing subscribers are not getting enough power supply, the government has continued to draw power lines in rural areas for political reasons. The government declared that 32% population had become power-privileged in 2003. A 12% increase from 2001 with almost no increase in power production!
System loss has been blamed many times over the past decades as being them major culprit in the energy sector. It has been estimated that energy sector incurs system loss of around 40% annually. 20% is due to technical losses but the other 20-22% is due to theft and corruption, which translates to around 4,500 crore taka. Around 1,000 million dollars have been invested in this sector in the last 10 years yielding negligible results. On the other hand, REB system loss fluctuates between 8-10%. They are more successful in collecting bills from their subscribers than any other agencies in this sector. It only means that people in the rural areas pay their bills regularly despite the discriminatory supply of power.
Rural Electrification Board (REB) is responsible for power supply to the rural areas. Power in these areas is distributed by Palli Bidyut Shamiti (PBS). There are 70 PBSs under REB jurisdictions at present. According to REB, they have so far drawn around 1,99,116 km line but can only supply 1,95, 332 km. 3,784 km line is just laying there without power. Around 13,000 to 14,000 km power lines has been drawn in the last 4 years and another 15-16,000 km is scheduled for 2005-06 fiscal year. Most of the times, lines are drawn due to influence by ministers, MPs, or other leaders. REB areas have a demand of 1,600 mw power but they usually receive around 500 mw less than that. PBS clients are subject to monthly meter charge and minimum usage fees regardless of the supply. By regulations, minimum fees should be waived if there is more than 45 hours of pick hour load shedding per month. But this is rarely enforced. Moreover, per unit cost of electricity in the REB areas is higher than that of PDB, DESA, or DESCO.
Agriculture is the livelihood of 64% of the population and almost 20% of our national GDP comes from agriculture, but only 5% of total power is used for irrigation and14% of the rural population are fortunate enough to have power supply. The West zone climatically is more prone to have draught and prolonged dry seasons. Lack of rain and water supply during the dry seasons have caused many deaths and famines in that region over the years. The dearth of power supply only adds to the misery of the people.
Ground zero: Kansat
Kansat is a village, under Shibganj Upazilla in Chapainawabganj district, 27 km from the district township. An agrarian community relies primarily on agriculture and farming for sustenance. Like all other rural areas in Bangladesh, the demand for electricity is way beyond the supply. The Chapainawabganj PBS only gets 2 mw of power supply against a pick hour demand of 8 mw. Corruption and exploitation on top of acute need of power have agitated the people over time as the situation gradually deteriorated.
For many years, they have endured hardship due to lack of power supply; their lives were hindered, their crops destroyed. They had to bribe the PBS employees to get a meter, they had to pay more money per unit power than most of the country, they were subjected to a meter charge of 10 taka per month for an indefinite period, they were subjected to minimum fees and late fees without getting almost any power, they were compelled to reimburse for stolen transformers and electrical cables, and still they did not get minimum power for irrigation at the height of Boro season. When exploitation reached its limit, the patience of the peaceful agrarian community of Kansat was tried one time too many.

Timeline:

Emergence of Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Parishad (PBUSP):

Golam Rabbani, who would be at the forefront of all movement and discussions, himself ran for office of director of Chapainawabganj PBS area -2 on March 2, 2003. According to the demands of the local people, included in his election manifesto were pledges to lower meter charge, waiving minimum fees, and reduction of late fees. He was later elected the chairman of C’nawabganj PBS by votes from other directors on March 13, 2003. During his incumbency, he repeatedly tried to pursue, in vain, the demands of the people and was censured on occasions by the higher authority for his efforts. In the later half of 2005, Golam Rabbani was relieved of his responsibilities and on August 8, 2005 formed the PBUSP with support and cooperation from the people.
Villagers complained that the local Palli Bidyut Samity was collecting additional bills of Tk 10 as rent of electric meter and forced the subscribers to pay Tk 105 to Tk 121 a month as service charge for poor or no service at all. They also had to reimburse for stolen transformer and cables once and were asked to do the same when they were stolen the second time.

As the movement started, some villagers stopped paying their bills on protest from around September, 2005. PBUSP submitted a five-point memorandum to the local MP Shahjahan Mia, which he claims not to have received, demanding withdrawal of meter charge and minimum fees, and reduction of late fees. At the end of December, PBUSP declared PBS office siege program on January 4, 2006.
January 4, 2006:

Few thousand police and 1 platoon BDR were deployed around the PBS office to control the situation. As the PBUSP led procession neared the PBS office, police resisted them from advancing further. According to police sources, during the heated arguments and processions, the villagers pelted brickbats and stones at the police and police opened fire. Six rounds of three-naught-three, 12 rounds of Chinese rifle bullets, 37 canisters of tear gas, and more than 100 rounds of shot gun bullets were fired.
Nayan Karmakar (24), s/o Biswanath Karmakar of village Chakkirti of Shibganj Upazilla and Abul Kashem Kajol (35), rickshaw van puller, s/o day laborer Osman Ali of Kansat Abbaz Bazaar died on the spot. More than 50 people were injured. Most of the injured received bullet wounds. Of the injured, Babu of Chakriti Laoghatta village, Monirul and another unidentified man of Khasherhaat, were admitted to the Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in critical condition. Thirty people, who were injured by bullets, were admitted to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex.
January 5, 2006:

PBS AGM(General Service) SM Nasiruddin filed a case against more than 2000 anonymous individuals with GR as the leader for damage of property worth more than Tk. 50 lakh. Police filed a separate case against the protesters. No case was filed for the murders yet.

Local MP Shahjahan Mia, along with local Jamayat leaders, visited the morgue and then Pukuria village in the evening amid resentment from the people. He claimed Golam Rabbani to be an Awami partisan and later threatened him over the phone.

January 7, 2006:

One member enquiry committee headed by Additional District Magistrate was formed.

January 9, 2006 – January 21, 2006:

Golam Rabbani was threatened to stop protest or to face arrest and was offered Tk. 10 lakh as bribe.
January 22, 2006:

Three PBUSP leaders, along with 6 others, arrested. The leaders are 1) Convenor of PBUSP, Golam Rabbani, 2) Joint convenor, Zahir Chowdhury, and 3) Monirul Islam Manna
January 23, 2006:

Hundreds of people barricaded C’nawabganj-Sonamasjid highway from early morning. They tore down wooden and cement PBS poles, cut down trees, set fire to them, and barricaded the highway. They had barricaded 55 km of highway stretching from Kansat to Bholahat. Fire service had to put fire under control.
Around 11a.m., first class magistrate Sarwar Morshed and PS Rezaul Karim asked the protester to calm down or to face severe consequences.

Police removed all the barricades from PBS headquarter to Kansat Bazaar. They met with resistance from the people there and started charging batons to disperse them. They even intruded households and continued the brutal charge. They had beaten up many innocent people, including women and children. They have allegedly beaten up people inside a mosque during prayer. This fuelled people’s anger and situation deteriorated. The police were surrounded by protesters coming from the other side near Chakkirti road. Protesters were carrying sticks and threw brickbats at the police. Around 3 p.m., near Kansat Bazaar, police started firing indiscriminately killing 6 people on the spot. Protesters set ablaze six police vehicles including a truck during the clash. A tense situation prevailed in the area and people replaced the removed barricades at the end of the day.

Of the dead, six were identified as Anwar, a rickshawpuller and son of Anij Uddin, Nasir, son of Ayej Uddin, Mannan, a day labourer and son of Mosahak, Garibullah, son of Nizam Uddin of Kansat, Chowdhury of Chatra Krishnachandrapur and Rashid. Another unidentified juvenile injured in the incident died at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital. Over 100 people were injured in this incident.

Mizanur Rahman Minu, Mayor of Rajshahi, visited the spot in the evening. He visited victim Anwarul’s house, facing of anger and agitation from the people. He assured people of justice and formed a 9-member committee (2 UP chairman, 2 Imam, and 2 teachers, headed by Kansat UP chairman) of prominent members of the community and promised to take the issue to the energy minister.

January 24, 2006:

People continued barricade on C’nawabganj – Sonamasjid road. They brought out procession in Abbas Bazaar with corpse of a Kansat victim. They demanded release of their leaders. Trucks with goods stranded on both sides of barricades and the Sonamasjid land port activities came to a halt. Meanwhile, another victim, Anwar Hossain babu, 12, s/o day laborer Abdul Kuddus ali succumbed to his bullet wounds at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Five of the Kansat victims were buried without autopsy.
A three member government probe committee was formed. This committee was headed by Mohammad Mohsin, additional secretary of the home ministry, with Rajshahi divisional commissioner, and an AIG of police as members. SP Rezaul Karim denied police atrocities and claimed that 46 policemen were injured and blamed jubo league leaders for the incident.
14-party called for hartal in C’nawabganj on the 25th of January.

January 25, 2006:

Spontaneous peaceful hartal observed in C’nawabganj. People barricaded 5 km in C’nawabganj-Sonamasjid Highway, 9 km from Bekir Mor to Dhoppukur, 35 km from Kansat to Bholahat Jambaria laying trees on the street. The ferry service in the Gomostapur route was halted upon protest by people. Rallys, street meetings, and gayebana janajas were held all day long across the Kansat region.

People blamed Shahjahan Mia, MP for instructing DIG Baharul Alam of Rajshahi range to arrest the PBUSP leaders. Local people said the Chapainawabganj superintendent of police (SP), instructed by the Rajshahi Range DIG, visited Kansat Bazar a day before the violence and asked Rabbani and others to shun the movement to avoid arrests. Both the DIG and SP denied such allegations.
January 26, 2006:

Protesters broke a culvert and put fresh barricades on highway to snap communication with Sonamasjid land port. The agitated people assaulted Shahbazpur union chairman and BNP adherent Tozammel Haque when he tried to prevent them from breaking the culvert. Several hundred men, women and children in a procession paraded the area chanting slogans against local lawmaker and for release of the arrested leaders. No measures were taken to quell the protest. The government probe committee was yet to visit area.

Rural markets in Abbas Bazar and Trimohini areas remained closed for the fourth consecutive day. Several hundred trucks were stranded at Sonamasjid land port.

AL GS Abdul Jalil visited Kansat. He condemned attack, demanded compensations for affected families, and demanded judicial probe. He assured that AL will bear education expenses of children of the affected families. Other leaders from AL (Matia Chowdhury), JSD, and Workers’ Party also visited the area and rickshaw puller Anwarul’s house.
Shimina Akhter Parul, wife of Golam Rabbani, called for indefinite strike at Shibganj upazilla from January 27, 2006 onwards.
January 27, 2006:

First day of indefinite strike observed. Shibganj upazilla and Sonamasjid port paralysed for the 5th day. Markets were open in Shibganj sadar area and road communication with C’nawabganj was open. 18-20 km from Bekir Mor to Sonamasjid port was traffic less. 9 km road from Kansat Kalabari to Sonamasjid was barricaded again after police removed trees the previous night. People dug up the highway near Shahbajpur Degree College.

Special prayers were held in different mosques during Jum’a prayer in support of the movement and demanding release of PBUSP leaders. Protest rallies were held in different places.

Govt. probe committee was yet to visit the area.

Ruling BNP lawmaker Shahjahan Mia, widely blamed for the arrest of three leaders and subsequent police atrocities, went to Shibganj yesterday but did not visit the troubled areas.

January 28, 2006:

Second day of indefinite strike was marked with meetings and processions. PBUSP gave an ultimatum to the government for release of their leaders by February 5.

Shibganj thana OC Shahabuddin Khalifa stand-released and closed to Rajshahi range of police.

Shahjahan Mia claims that the people never approached him with their problem. He informed the journalists that the withdrawal of UNO Rafiqul Islam was also under process. Assured that affected families will be compensated.

Meanwhile, Kansat movement gained support from people from adjacent area. A huge procession of thousands of people circled the area and ended with speech from joint convenor of PBUSP, freedom fighter Aref Ali Tisu.

Bail prayer hearing for the PBUSP leaders were scheduled at a magistrate court in C’nawabganj.

On behalf of the district administration, a four-member lawyers' team visited the troubled area yesterday and talked to local people about their demands. The team included Chapainawabganj Bar Association President Ahmadullah Chowdhury, Secretary Enamul Haque, and members Osman Gani and Sohrab Ali. The team also visited Golam Rabbani at Chapainawabganj jail before going to Kansat. The lawyers’ team declared court boycott program in support of the movement of the people.

It was found out that the arrested leaders were tortured by police. Leaders, hand tied and blind-folded, were taken to the office of SP. Golam Rabbani was tortured and beaten there. They were admitted to the medical ward of C’nawabganj jail. The bar association team confirmed the news of torture.

January 29, 2006:

At least five people were injured in a clash between BNP activists and demonstrators in Kansat.

Villagers put fresh barricades put on the road. Processions and rallies continue.

The bar association retreated from their boycotting the court program and claimed that the declaration came under pressure from the people. This act was termed as ‘betrayel’ and ‘treachery’ by the people.

Meanwhile, magistrate Sarwar Murshid refused bails to PBUSP leaders. "The administration has not become too weak to release an accused in the face of movement," ADC (General) of Chapainawab-ganj Ferdous Alam told The Daily Star.

Thousands of people including a good number of women led by Rabbani's wife Shamima Akhter Parul marched seven kilometres in a protest procession to Shibganj upazila nirbahi officer's office. They also held a rally in Kansat.

January 30, 2006:

Indefinite strike continued with processions, barricades, and meetings. Police refrained from removing barricades and kept their activities limited.

Meanwhile, a meeting at the deputy commissioner's officer on Sunday night ended without any result as the local administration allegedly influenced by a BNP lawmaker denied the release of three Kansat leaders. Leaders of different political parties present at the meeting demanded release of the three leaders.

Committee formed by Mayor Minu visited the PBUSP leaders in jail. Bar association once again announced court boycott program on February 1, 2006. Meanwhile, there was no sign of functionality of the government probe committee.

Different social and political organizations protested the killing and police atrocities in Kansat and demanded punishment of the leaders.

January 31, 2006:

First Class Magistrate Sayeed Kutub granted the bail prayers of the arrestees after more than 10 lawyers led by local BNP lawmaker Shahjahan Mia's brother-in-law advocate Abu Hasib submitted a special bail petition on behalf of the PBUSP leaders. All 9 arrested PBUSP leaders including Golam Rabbani were granted bail. Four along with Golam Rabbani were freed, the rest were to be freed the next day. The leaders are Golam Rabbani, Zahir Chowdhury, Monirul Islam Manna, Moslem Uddin, Shyamol Singh, Md Badsha, Md Belal, Abul Kalam Azad and Sanwar Hossain.

Almost 10,000 people brought out a victory procession and gathered near Kansat bazaar around 5 p.m. Golam Rabbani was greeted by thousands of people. He claimed that they were brutally tortured by police while in custody. He restated his intentions to carry on with the movement until the demands are met. People started to remove barricades from the highways.

Earlier Mayor Minu held an ad lib press conference to indicate the release of the PBUSP leaders. In the press conference held at C’nawabganj circuit house, Shahjahan Mia, MP promised compensation and rehabilitation of the affected families, release of PBUSP leaders, and meeting people’s demands regarding electricity issues. He urged people of remove barricades from the highways. Minu visited Kansat, accompanied by local Jamat leaders and declared release of the PBUSP leaders. People barricaded his car and refused to let him leave until the freed leaders arrive.

Meanwhile, AL-led 14 party staged demonstration in Rajshahi protesting police atrocities.

14-party also took to the street of Dhaka to protest Kansat killings.

February 1, 2006:

Road communication was restored between Sonamasjid land port and rest of the country. C’nawabganj bar association boycotted court in support of the people’s movement.

February 2, 2006:

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Rafiqul Islam has been withdrawn for mishandling the situation that led to the killing of nine people in police firing at Kansat.
February 3, 2006:

The Forum for Energy Reporters’ Bangladesh (FERB) decided to observe January 23 as "electricity day" every year commemorating the recent Kansat killings.

CPB demanded punishment of leaders behind Kansat atrocities
February 12, 2006:

Dr. Kamal Hossain, of Gono Forum, visited Kansat and declared solidarity with the people on their demand for uninterrupted power supply.
February 16, 2006:

BNP rejects AL demand, along with many others, to discuss Kansat issue in the parliament.
February 24, 2006:

Meeting to resolve Kansat crisis was scheduled to be held at Shibganj Upazilla Parishad auditorium. Mayor Minu convened the meeting with government officials, public representatives, representatives from different professions and leaders of Palli Bidyut Samity. Golam Rabbani, convenor of the district Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Committee arrived on the upazila parishad premises at about 10:30 am. But Rabbani soon left the spot for Kansat citing security reasons as tension arose between his supporters and the BNP activists.

Instead of the compromise meeting, another meeting was held with Acting Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ferdous Alam in the chair at noon. Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu and others addressed the meeting. Minu declared withdrawal of meter charge and late fees of Palli Bidyut and to fix the minimum charge at Tk 65 instead of Tk 105 as per the demand of the demonstrators. He also announced that the family of each killed in the Kansat incident will be given Tk 100,000 from the government and Tk 50,000 on behalf of the local MP. Besides, he said each injured will get Tk. 20,000 and, if necessary, Golam Rabbani will be sent abroad for better treatment.

The mayor assured that stern action would be taken against those found responsible for the tragic incident in Kansat, as per the report of the inquiry committee. Golam Rabbani rejected Minu's offer and threatened to launch a movement from February 28 to realise their 11 point demands.

March 2, 2006:

Mayor Minu had a meeting with Golam Rabbani at his residence. Golam Rabbani submits 14-point demand of PBUSP. Minu agreed to accept all demand in front of the people and journalists present at the meeting site. A public announcement in a meeting was scheduled for March 12, 2006.

March 12, 2006:

Mayor Minu failed to show up in the meeting on ground of illness. The meeting was rescheduled for

March 19, 2006.

Mayor Minu kept absent from the public meeting without prior notice.

March 29, 2006:

Hartal called in Kansat. Seven people injured in a clash with BNP activists during hartal. Rabbani warns of heavy movement if mayor Minu does not agree to their claims.

PBUSP withdrew hartal around 3 p.m. upon request from local authority.

Local BNP leaders claim that PBUSP has called hartal to obstruct their supporters to join prime minister’s meeting. They called for a protest meeting on April 6, 2006. They PBUSP had already called for a broom and stick procession the same day.

April 1, 2006:

The Shibganj UNO delivered a letter from Mayor Minu to Golam Rabbani. In the letter, he offered his condolences to the bereaved families and proposed further dialogue on the 14-point demand. The government put two of PBUSP demands under consideration and one other pending for discussion with the energy ministry.

Golam Rabbani and the PBUSP leaders rejected the letter, claiming it to be ambiguous about their claims and vowed to continue with their movement. Golam Rabbani, in a meeting, urged the people to make the broom and stick program a success, which was scheduled for April 6th, 2006; unless the government unconditionally meets all their demands by April 5, 2006.

April 5, 2006:

Tension increased in the Kansat and Shibganj area due to simultaneous program declarations from both BNP and PBUSP. A dialogue committee was formed with additional police super Mahbubul Alam as the convenor. A meeting was held at the Upazilla Parishad auditorium. This meeting was attended by local leaders and 15 union chairmen. The UNO, Dewan Abdus Samad, stated that the administration may take stern actions including declaring 144 in the area if PBUSP did not withdraw their program. But no PBUSP representatives, including Golam Rabbani, attended the meeting. However, Golam Rabbani assured Mahbubul Alam over telephone that the procession will not carry brooms or sticks and will not enter Shibganj municipal area. He also added that he needs to finalize this with other PBUSP leaders.

PBUSP held a meeting at a local quad prior to their April 6 program. Dr. Kamal Hossain was scheduled to join the program.

April 6, 2006:

PBUSP held a meeting at a local quad prior to their April 6 program. Dr. Kamal Hossain was scheduled to join the program.

April 6, 2006:

Four people died and 100 others were injured in a two and half hour clash between BNP cadres and PBUSP supporters.

The dead in yesterday's skirmishes are Rabbani's brother-in-law Akramjaad Khan, 32, local UP chairman Ashraf's brother and Krishak Dal leader Mahbubul Alam, 35, Masidul Huq of Dewan Jaigir, and Abdul Jilani, 14, son of Kalimullah of Bahanbari, Kansat, They were either beaten or stabbed to death. Among the dead, Akramjaad and Mahbubul belonged to the BNP and the teenage boy to the PBUSP.

Of the injured, seven people were admitted at the Shibganj Health Complex and two others at Sadar Hospital. PBUSP accused local BNP chapter for the incident.

Earlier, around 20-30,000 men, women, and children from surrounding areas gathered at the Rajbari square with brooms and sticks in their hands for the PBUSP program from around 2.45 pm. Chanchala Karmaker, mother of Nayan – who died on 4th of January in police firing, lead a procession of women coming from Chakkirti. The PBUSP activists armed themselves with sticks, brickbats, and bows and arrows to resist an anticipated BNP attack. Golam Rabbani and other PBUSP leaders addressed the gathering at 4 p.m. The procession started to move with women and children leading the 30,000 people; some of them riding in trucks and other vehicles like bullock carts.

On the other hand, BNP lead rally took place at the Shibganj Upazilla square at 5 p.m. The local leaders vowed to resist the PBUSP procession.

BNP men waiting on rooftops hurled bombs one after another at the PBUSP procession when it reached the Paily crossroads. The PBUSP activists retaliated by throwing bricks and arrows, said witnesses including some photojournalists. The blasts of some 50 bombs scattered the procession, with people running for life to take cover, while police watched the fierce battle impassively, they added. Some PBUSP activists, however, chased and caught two bombers. Witnesses said the two held with bombs were lynched on the spot. Police let the skirmishes continue up to 8:00pm and only then moved in to take control of the situation.

PBUSP activists later barricaded the roads and disrupted communications in the upazilla. Leaders of the PBUSP called for indefinite strike in Kansat.

April 7, 2006:

PBUSP activists barricaded roads and dug out culverts on the first day of indefinite strike. Sonamasjid port activities halted due to the strike.

Golam Rabbani, in a meeting blamed supporters of local MP and upazilla chairman for the attack and pledges to continue with the movement. PBUSP activists claimed to be threatened by BNP men of arrests and harassment. Meanwhile, mayor Minu pledges to take action against ‘rowdy mass’. MP Shahjahan accuses Golam Rabbani and PBUSP for attacking BNP meeting 7 km away from Kansat. UP chairman Ashraf filed a murder case against Golam Rabbani and others for the killing of his brother Mahbub Ali.

Police recovered the bodies of Masir and Mahbub from a cropland near Beki crossroads. Masir's head was violently fractured and both the eyes of Mahbub were gouged out, police said. Mahbub was a listed terrorist accused in several cases of murders, extortion and violence. All the bodies were buried after autopsy.

The situation in Kansat remained volatile. People, including women and children, were seen in scattered demonstrations through out the day. They brought out a broom and stick procession later to protest against government inaction about their demands.

April 8, 2006:

The power-starved people of Kansat attacked law enforcers, injuring 10 including an additional superintendent of police, as they continued their demonstrations and observed hartal for the second day. The angry mob also damaged three police vehicles and eight trucks at Mobarakpur near Kansat when the police were escorting the goods-laden trucks from Sonamasjid land port in the early hours.

Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu MP at a press conference at Chapainawabganj said a terrorists' group in the name of Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Parishad (PBUSP) is responsible for April 6, 2006 skirmishes. The authorities stated that the arrest of Golam Rabbani is in the process.

Meanwhile, PBUSP Convener Golam Rabbani demanded security from the government and sought the prime minister's intervention. He alleged that local BNP leaders were threatening to kill him.

An Awami League parliamentary team led by Advocate Abdul Hamid MP was scheduled to visit Kansat in Chapainawabganj for a spot inspection of fresh clash and killings.

April 9, 2006:

Shibganj upazila administration banned any gathering of more than 3 people within 5 km radius of Kansat invoking Section 144. The authorities gathered about 1,000 police, 100 Armed Police Battalion members and 200 BDR troops in and around Kansat to enforce the ban. Law enforcing troops took positions in different places including the residence of Golam Rabbani.

Earlier police tried to remove some of the barricades from the highway in the night, but the villagers protested their move and restored some of the barricades. PBUSP held a meeting and announced continued movement until all demands are met.

Meanwhile the High Court in an ad-interim rule prohibited detention or harassment of any Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Parishad (PBUSP) member outside legal provisions. The court also demanded explanation from the government three weeks time why it should not be ordered to pay adequate compensations to the families of the violence victims. The rule had also show-caused the government, the local administration, and power-supply authorities to rationalize why they should not be directed to ensure a minimum supply of electricity to the restive area at night. Further explanations were sought as to why the police firings on January 4 and January 23 on demonstrating villagers at Kansat, killing 10 people, should not be declared illegal. Dr Kamal Hossain led the team of lawyers that moved for the petitioner.

April 10, 2006:

In the morning police forced the shopkeepers to keep their shutters down. Entered households and beat up 10 people including two women and arrested nine. Section 144 was expanded up to 17 km radius of Kansat from 10.00 a.m.

UNO Dewan A. Samad, with the help of police, BDR, and roads and highways employees, tried to remove the barricades in the morning. But they had to retreat in the face of protests from a few thousand angry protesters with sticks, spades, knives, spears and axes. People took to the street defying section 144 and chanting slogans against administration.

Police attempt to remove barricades and people restoring them, chase and counter chase marked most of the day. The police lobbed 20 tear gas canisters and fired at least 50 rubber bullets to disperse them.

Different groups of protesters made guerrilla style attacks on the deployed policemen at different points. When the policemen were returning to Kansat, the protesters vandalized two trucks, as many pick-ups and a microbus near a filling station at Kansatbazar.

Clashed could be averted in some instances due to interference from the PBUSP leaders.

Meanwhile, Golam Rabbani blamed local BNP stalwarts for the situation and urged the prime minister to intervene. He felt that his life is at stake and dreaded another ‘crossfire’ scenario.

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury demanded that the persons responsible for the killings at Kansat in Chapainawabganj be brought to book immediately.

April 11, 2006:

Sporadic clashes with the police and protests marked the day.

The police also arrested Rokeya Begum, wife of Golam Rabbani's brother Rezaul, Daibarani Shushila, Mabera Khatun and two others from Rabbani's house at 8:30pm.

April 12, 2006:

Government in their attempt to take control of the situation in Kansat, resorted to sheer force and brought on an assault on the people that is quite unprecedented. Around 4000 police and armed police battalion stormed through 12 villages around Kansat in the middle of the night ransacking houses, looting, indiscriminately beating up women, children, and elderlies, and finally firing upon fleeing villagers killing at least 6 people, including a 10 year old boy, and injuring more than 300. Hundreds of rounds of bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters were fired on the people. They had also arrested 29 people on the sixth day of indefinite hartal called by PBUSP. The police also arrested Rokeya Begum, wife of Golam Rabbani's brother Rezaul, Daibarani Shushila, Mabera Khatun and two others from Rabbani's house at 8:30pm on Tuesday.

The six people reportedly killed were identified as Anwar, a 10-year-old boy of Shibnagar Jaigirpara, Babu, 18, of Sonapara village, Shahin, 20, of Chokkitti village, Sahimuddin, 36, and Monsur, 40, of Bianibazar, and Abdur Rahman, 63, a teacher at Shibnagar High School. Shahin, Sahimuddin, and Monsur were later found to be alive in police custody. Abdur Rahman, a patient of chronic heart disease, died of a heart attack when a tear gas canister blew up right in front of him.
The police also beat up journalists, threatened them and barred them from visiting the villages. They blamed the media for the clash and denied any atrocities.

Mayor Minu, visited the spot and promised release of all those arrested and stated that he would take necessary steps to resume dialogue with PBUSP leaders.

April 13, 2006:

Panicked locals of five unions under Shibganj Upazilla fled their homes dreading further police atrocities. Villagers were seen fleeing on foot, by rickshaw, boat, etc. with their belongings. Abbasbazar, Biyanibazar, Biswnathpur, Karimbazar, Mahilabazar, Dhokpukur and a few other villages of the area were found completely deserted. Kansat became a ghost town. People took refuge at near by paddy, sugar cane fields, and mango groves. People have been living under open skies for the second day in a row. Barricades were still on the roads and the power supply to Golam Rabbani’s house was cut off.
Meanwhile the local people accused police of looting, stealing, and assaulting women. They were feasting on villagers’ livestock. The police even attacked the local mosque. Some villagers accused that BNP men were leading the attack in guise of policemen.

The bodies of the three victims were buried but no case was filed for these murders. PBUSP vowed to continue the movement.

Government formed a high powered probe committee and Mayor Minu sought the help from media to resolve this issue. AL-led 14 party held a meeting at Kansat with more than 20,000 people. AL called for hartal on April 20th in protest of the killing.

Deputy home minister expressed government’s concern about Kansat and assured investigation on police atrocities. It should be noted that he had earlier denied any police excesses in this matter. BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan expressed grief and offered condolences.

People and organizations across all sectors condemned and protested the killing and police brutality in Kansat. Student strike was called in Dhaka University and the teachers announced silent procession program for April 17.

April 14, 2006:

Representative members of 11-member Supreme Court Bar Association probe committee on Kansat along with Dr. Kamal Hossain visited Kansat and promised legal aid for the people. Dr. Kamal spoke in a public meeting at Kansat. Police blocked a procession of around 10-12, 000 people from joining Dr. Kamal’s meeting.

April 15, 2006:

Police and BDR withdrawn from Kansat and section 144 was relaxed. Those who were in custody in cases filed by government after April 6 were scheduled to be released. Thirty two of 37 people arrested were released from police custody. Government took decision to withdraw all cases against around 100 villagers including Golam Rabbani. Mayor Minu sought apology for calling Golam Rabbani a criminal on April 6. Jubilant people were seen in a festive mood on the street. They still demanded punishment of Mayor Minu and MP Shahajahan Mia and burned effigies. They demanded resignation of Shahajahan Mia, MP.

Government team led by deputy minister Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir met with PBUSP representative in a closed door meeting in C’nawabganj circuit house. The meeting lasted all day. Golam Rabbani was scheduled to join as soon as his bail petition is approved.

Strike observed in Dhaka University. Protests and condemnation across the country continues. Civil society called for peaceful resolution of the issue.

April 16, 2006:

Kansat Solidarity day was observed by different social and political organizations in different parts of the country. Eminent politicians, intellectuals, and civil right activists addressed meetings and rallies demanding resolution of Kansat issue and justice for the victims of police atrocities. A high court writ petition hearing seeking court intervention in the Kansat issue was scheduled for April 17, 2006.

Golam Rabbani set five conditions for Government-PBUSP dialogue. They were withdrawal of police, section 144, cases filed against PBUSP activists, release of PBUSP activists, and resignation of local BNP lawmaker. Government earlier agreed to most of these pre-requisites for dialogue.
In a meeting in Rajshahi circuit house, government accepted all but one of the 14-point demands of PBUSP. Deputy Minister Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir, on behalf of the high-powered five-member ministerial level committee and Golam Rabbani, leading a 27-member PBUSP team signed a memorandum of understanding.
Besides, Golam Rabbani, three PBUSP joint convenors — Golam Arep Tissu, Jahir Choudhury and Joynal Abedin, two lawyers of Rabbani and 22 other PBUSP leaders were the rest of the team members.
While the other members of the government committee were Rajshahi City Mayor and Minister in Charge of Chapainawabganj District Mizanur Rahman Minu, Housing and Public Works State Minister Alamgir Kabir, Food and Disaster Management Deputy Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, and Chapainawabganj-2 Lawmaker Syed Manzur Hossain.

Besides, the Rajshahi divisional commissioner, deputy inspector general of police of Rajshahi range, and Chapainawabganj deputy commissioner and police super were present in the meeting on behalf of the local administration.
Strikes were called off and decision to remove road blocks were taken upon the return of the PBUSP team to Kansat. People of all around gathered in Kansat, held victory rallies, distributed sweets, hugged and embraced each other, rejoiced on the streets, and chanted slogans. Five PBUSP activists who were still in police custody were scheduled to be released in the evening.
The government had agreed to the following:

1. To cancel two categorical meter charges (10 Tk. for 220 volt and 50 Tk for 440 volt)
2. To allow presence of subscriber during meter readings,
3. Not to impose illegal fines on the subscriber,
4. To set minimum monthly fee at 78 taka instead of 105 taka (PBUSP demand was 72 taka),
5. To abolish fees and fines for stolen transformers and cables,
6. To provide taka 2 lakh each to families of the dead, taka 1 lakh to the PBUSP activist with eye injury, and taka 50,000 each for 10 wounded individuals. Besides, 100 badly injured Kansat people will receive taka 25,000 each and 600 more wounded 3,000 taka each. The list to be prepared on the basis of a report from the civil sergeant, a magistrate, and PBUSP convenor.
7. To waive fines if accessory line is drawn from households to venue of religious programs or institutions,
8. To withdraw four cases filed by the police and to make concerted effort to withdraw the other filed by BNP members,
9. Not to harass the 160 people accused in these cases and to release those who are in custody,
10. To waive fines for bills since August 8, 2005 – the start of the movement and to adjust the arrears in nine installments,
11. To build a memorial for the dead of Kansat movement,
12. To observe January 4 or January 23 as prayer day for the salvation of the dead in Kansat movement.

However, the government team did not accept the PBUSP demand for resignation of MP Shahajahan Mia on the grounds that it was out of their jurisdiction.
Mayor Minu claimed that the government had already accepted all the demands earlier but a lack of communication had caused the April 12 incident. Local people continued to hold MP Shahajahan Mia and Mayor Minu responsible for all their sufferings.

Human rights and Kansat:

The peaceful and apolitical movement of common people for their rights met with an oppressive mindset of the government and trigger-happy law enforcement agency; ultimately leading to the killing of 17 people, including a few minors. Police fired indiscriminately on the protesters on January 4, 23 and April 12, 2006 without provocation killing 2, 8, and 3 people respectively and injuring hundreds. On one other instance, violence provoked by local chapter of the ruling party on April 6, 2006 caused deaths of 4 more people. Even the journalists could not escape the wrath of the administration. The situation worsened and lingered on for more than 6 months owing to an obstinate standpoint of the government, deceptive and treacherous maneuvering of the situation by mediating political leaders and inclination to crush any voices raised against the government.

During the course of events, the people of Kansat were stripped off their right to protest, they were beaten brutally by the police inside their houses regardless of their age and sex, their homes were ransacked and looted, they were forced flee their habitat, they were arrested indiscriminately, their leaders were tortured while in police custody, and above all, they were denied a trial for the death of 17 people. Till date, no one is held responsible for the killings and no judicial inquiry has been formed.

Social, political, and human rights organizations, including Amnesty international, have widely condemned this ruthless violation of human rights and demanded government action for justice.
Conclusion:

All the cases filed against the PBUSP activists were withdrawn by May 18, the compensations were distributed in a public meeting on May 24, 2006, and eventually the energy minister was replaced. With the election a few months away and situation going out of control, the government quickly resorted to a temporary solution to cover up the gross incompetence of their administration and the widespread corruption in the system. Meeting few demands of people of a remote village in the northwestern region is no solution to the longstanding and deep rooted problem in the power sector.

As the events transpired, people of the country wondered what had happened in Kansat and why it happened. The opposition blamed the ruling party, the ruling party blamed the opposition and factions of its own, police blamed the administration and vice versa, PBS blamed REB, REB blamed the corruption within PBS. Amidst the blame games and conspiracy theories, a legend is born. Some termed it the victory of the people, and some called it the first ‘peasant uprising’ in recent days. In reality, it is the tale of awakening of the people, their resilience, struggle, and fight for their right against injustice and discrimination that led to the path of glory. Kansat became a role model for all sectors of the country. We have seen that in Shanir Akhra, in Chatmohor, in Sylhet, and in many other parts of the country. Kansat has heightened awareness in common people and gave them hope.
Life in Kansat became ordinary once again. As people in Kansat go about their farming and daily chores, they would probably take a moment to pause and reminisce with a faint smile on their lips and walk about with their head held a little higher.