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Shantanu Mukharji

Shantanu Mukharji

Retired IPS officer

prayagstreet@gmail.com

The author is a retired IPS officer who has held key positions in the Government of India handling sensitive security issues within and outside India.

By Shantanu Mukharji

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina needs to be tough as nails in running a government fraught with internal and external challenges

Despite the absence of strong, credible opposition in Bangladesh’s new parliament, Sheikh Hasina cannot afford to let her guards down after being sworn in as the prime minister for the third consecutive time.

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Fans, Foes, Fundamentalists: How Bangladesh's polity is shaping up after the Parliamentary polls

More powerful than ever before, PM Sheikh Hasina is working overtime to achieve her election objectives. But her dalliances with Islamist parties remain a matter of concern.

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Bangladesh Parliamentary polls: Resounding victory for Sheikh Hasina. But what next ?

Her triumph has also trounced any plans from Pakistan to create instability. But her real victory will be only when she addresses the challenges that lie ahead.

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Murders most foul: Cops killed on duty by the public they are serving shows UP is headed on a dangerous path

We need to examine what is provoking mobs to physically — and brutally — hit out at policemen.

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Peaceful Panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir show a victory of democracy over terrorism is possible

As the year draws to a close, this remains a very positive political experiment, affirming faith in the democratic processes of a sensitive state.

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NIA's busting of an ISIS-inspired terror module is laudable, but we cannot afford any complacency now

The NIA arrested 10 people in the raids across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. They have also recovered explosives, arms and a rocket launcher. In all this, they have been aided by valuable intel on radicalised youth inspired by the deadly ISIS.

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Why Delhi should be watching approaching elections in Dhaka very closely

As polling fever rises, large-scale clashes appear likely. But the violence wouldn't be limited there. If Pakistani groups have their way, it would impact even India's security.

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Why Rohingyas continue to dominate headlines

Security analysts reckon that most of the Rohingya refugees are vulnerable to radicalisation.

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Bulandshahar violence: Who will now take the responsibility of inspector Subodh Kumar Singh's death

Unless someone is held accountable for such lapses, violence will go unabated ahead of elections.

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Why attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi should concern Beijing

Terrorists with links to Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have claimed responsibility for the lethal assault.

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Bangladesh polls: Why Awami League cosying up to Islamic fundamentalist Hefazat-e-Islam is raising eyebrows

The election assumes greater significance this time due to PM Sheikh Hasina’s display of political astuteness in engaging with her political adversaries.

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Is Israel trying to woo Pakistan to gain credibility in the Islamic world?

In the process of establishing friendly ties with Pakistan to gain credibility in the Islamic world, is Israel adding to Pakistan's woes?

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Asia Bibi: Despite best intentions, will Imran Khan be able to quell protests over blasphemy acquittal?

At least in this case, Pakistan Army and PM seem earnest about protecting the rights of minorities and the underprivileged.

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Why Bangladesh is witnessing hectic politicking ahead of coming elections

Political developments in Bangladesh will gain more momentum in the next couple of months raising the political temperature to a fever pitch.

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Amritsar to Howrah: Why a rail tragedy is waiting at every corner

Just as the nation was coming to terms with the Amritsar tragedy, news came of the Santragachi foot overbridge stampede.

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Allahabad Vs Prayagraj: Once an Illahabadi, always an Illahabadi

The ordinary Illahabadi is still struggling to come to terms with the fact that the city has undergone a name-change so undeservedly and unceremoniously.

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Asia Bibi verdict: Why blasphemy laws should have no place in naya Pakistan

It’s time Pakistan undergoes some radical judicial reforms, especially on the laws of blasphemy.

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What the arrest of a BrahMos scientist for spying tells us about ISI’s designs on India

Nishant Agarwal is a bright scientist, a gold medalist in college.

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The mysterious ‘killing’ of top Saudi journalist and what it means for the Middle-East

Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Consulate on Tuesday, is believed to have been murdered by Saudi agents.

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Bangladesh will go to polls soon: Here’s why India should root for Sheikh Hasina

Lauded at the UN meet recently for her handling of the Rohingya crisis, Hasina has a tough task at hand in ensuring free and fair elections back home.

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Why Imran Khan's bonhomie with Army and ISI is not good for 'Naya Pakistan'

It would bode well for Khan to focus on the floundering economy and terror issues before embarking on optics generated by his interactions with the armed forces.

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Why Imran Khan cannot afford to delay foreign policy initiatives any further

The Pakistan Prime Minister has to realise the country’s external ties are just as worrisome as the internal problems.

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August 15: Why Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated by the army

The only two family members who managed to survive were his two daughters — Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana.

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How non-violent student protests in Bangladesh took political colours and threaten to spread to India too

There is enough political ammunition for the BNP to churn the agitations into a major roadblock for the Awami League and its friends in New Delhi.

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Why ignoring recent terror attacks in Afghanistan will be a huge misstep for India

Pakistan security and intelligence cooperation with Kabul is just cosmetic.

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Pakistan general elections 2018: Why things are getting murkier as D-day nears

The armed forces, ISI, judiciary, executive, National Accountability Bureau and the EC are at loggerheads, each accusing the other of excesses.

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Why Pakistan faces turbulent times ahead of upcoming elections

The blast in Pakhtunkhwa province has given a deadly jolt to the Pakistani counter-terror forces who have been claiming an incident-free election campaigning.

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Zakir Naik not to be deported: Not heeding India can cost Malaysia dear

The televangelist's continued presence in Malaysia may see renewed activities of indoctrination and an eventual spurt in terror attacks.

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Why Khaleda Zia’s party is hoping for India’s help in the upcoming Bangladesh polls

The BNP and India have a history of immense trust deficit.

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What the Ramzan killings of Shujaat Bukhari and Aurangzeb prove

The brutal murders demonstrate the extent of indoctrination of the radical elements.

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