AHMADIYAS HAIL IMPROVED POLICE RESPONSIVENESS

UNCLAS DHAKA 003414

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: AHMADIYAS HAIL IMPROVED POLICE RESPONSIVENESS
AFTER MOST RECENT ATTACK


1. (SBU) Following several attempts to prevent the
construction of an Ahmadiya mosque in the Uttara section of
Dhaka since February, a group of alleged extremists
vandalized the construction site on July 18. According to
local press reports the vandalism occurred as police stood by
idly.


2. (SBU) The vandals reportedly pilfered tin sheets at the
same time as Ahmadiya Amir (Chief) Mobashsherur Rahman met
with State Minister of Home Affairs Babar and top law
enforcement officers several miles away. Rahman's private
secretary told us that Rahman considered the meeting with

SIPDIS
Babar productive and cordial. Babar, he said, assured the
Ahmadiyas the highest levels of protection for their freedom
of religion rights and that "no one would be allowed to
disturb Ahamdiyas".


3. (SBU) Ahmadiya leaders after the meeting described police
protection as more serious and proactive then before. The
Officer in Charge at the Uttara Police Office was highly
attentive to their needs following the attack on July 18,
they said, and has already scheduled a reconciliation meeting
between the parties for immediate dispute resolution.


4. (SBU) Comment: Press reports of police indifference during
the July 18 incident may, in this case, be over-blown.
CHAMMAS