[sacw] Death threat for Bangladesh sculptor

[Harsh Kapoor]

FYI
(South Asia Citizens Web)
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_381000/381764.stm

World: South Asia

Death threat for Bangladesh sculptor

A leading Bangladeshi sculptor, Shamim Sikder, says she has received death
threats from Islamic militants.

Ms Sikder told the BBC the threats were made in a letter and a telephone
call from a little-known group calling itself the Taleban Bahini (Taleban
Force).

The group is believed to object in particular to a sculpture by Ms Sikder
commemorating the role of women in Bangladesh's independence war against
Pakistan.

Ms Sikder, who teaches at Dhaka's Fine Arts Institute, said she was
threatened over the telephone and in a letter signed by the "Commander,
Taleban Bahini." She was warned that she would be kidnapped and killed if
she did not stop sculpting.

Earlier this year, an exhibition of Ms Sikder's work entitled "Struggle for
Freedom" opened at Dhaka University. The exhibits showcased major events in
Bangladesh's history.

Ms Sikder plans to continue working but has said she will take steps to
protect herself.

According to AFP, Inspector General of Police Abdul Siddique said he had
ordered an investigation into the threats.

"I have told relevant officials to deal with the matter and it is up to them
how they will handle it," he said.

Militant attacks

A prominent Bangladeshi poet Shamsur Rahman was attacked by militants in
January and the feminist writer, Taslima Nasreen, now in exile, says she has
received many death threats.

Hundreds of militants held regular demonstrations against Ms Nasreen during
her four-month stay in Bangladesh to be with her dying mother. She left the
country in January.

Islamic militant groups, reported to include Bangladeshis who fought in
Afghanistan and Bosnia, have been extending their activities, but the
political influence of Islamic parties is limited.

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