Desk Report,
There was an attempt to hide the truth.
Most of the intelligence reports of the Special Branch (SB) of the police attempted to hide the fact that people were expressing their anger against the government on the streets. Instead, they tried to portray the students and the public as an ‘anti-independence group’ and the movement as a ‘foreign conspiracy’.
There was an attempt to hide the truth.
The intelligence reports used words like ‘provocation’, ‘miscreants’ and ‘opposition conspiracy’ more frequently. The arguments and language used by the then Awami League government to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement are reflected in the intelligence reports.
Prothom Alo received 16 SB reports focusing on the mass uprising through various means. The issue of excessive use of force by law enforcement or human rights violations was not given the same importance in the SB reports. The violent role and use of weapons by the leaders and activists of the then ruling party Awami League (now banned) was ignored. On the contrary, the then government was advised to have the leaders and activists of the Awami League play a more active role in suppressing the movement. In addition, the SB’s intelligence officers also suggested that the media should create public opinion in favor of the government. For example, the SB’s intelligence report on August 4 last year advised the leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations to take a stand in groups and in large numbers. The intelligence report on July 31 mentioned the issue of ensuring the active presence of the leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations in the field.
Through the SB, the police prepare various types of intelligence reports, including the overall picture of the country, security. Important reports of the SB go to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. For this reason, the government gives importance to the intelligence reports of the SB along with other intelligence agencies.
The intelligence reports of that time were analyzed by the current SB administration in June and early July. The SB’s analysis of the intelligence reports said that the student-public movement was politically motivated and a conspiracy to overthrow the BNP-Jamaat government. The main demands of the movement or the rationality of the just anger of the student community were prioritized over the fear of sabotage and violence, attacks on government facilities, and the security of law enforcement and administration.
SB’s analysis noted that the need for dialogue, discussion, or the justification of the demands were relatively low in the intelligence reports of that time. Although in some cases, it was said to prioritize discussion, it came as a strategy to suppress or control the movement. In addition, the importance of students’ democratic rights, the anger or compassion of the people were neglected in the reports.
SB’s analysis revealed that the intelligence reports of that time also suggested creating a counter-narrative during the movement. The recommendation was that the then government use the media and social media to develop a ‘counter-narrative’.
A senior SB official told Prothom Alo, ‘Due to political allegiances, the real picture did not emerge in the intelligence reports of that time. The then officials failed to assess the real situation because they thought from a party perspective. If they do not work honestly with professionalism, it will not bring benefits to anyone.’
SB’s analysis has revealed that the reports of that time ignored the reality on the ground.
