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News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Turkish Funding for Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami Poses Threat to India: Intel Sources
Last Updated: Intelligence sources further claim that Turkey, Pakistan's ISI, and Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami have formed a strategic alliance aimed at destabilising India Turkish intelligence agencies are allegedly providing financial and logistical support to Islamist groups in Bangladesh, particularly the radical outfit Jamaat-e-Islami, raising serious concerns about India's national security, according to intelligence sources. The sources claim that Turkey's support goes beyond ideological sympathy and now includes direct financial backing. A key example cited is the renovation of Jamaat's office in Dhaka's Moghbazar, which is believed to have been funded by Turkish intelligence-linked entities. The move suggests a structured effort to strengthen the group's organisational and infrastructural base. Visits To Arms Facilities Raise Red Flags In what is being seen as a worrying development, Turkish authorities are said to have facilitated visits by Bangladeshi Islamist leaders and student activists, including Sadiq Qayam, to Turkish arms manufacturing units. Intelligence inputs suggest that these visits may be aimed at enabling access to military know-how and possibly weapon supplies. Ankara's Pan-Islamist Agenda Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has reportedly expanded its influence among Islamist factions in South Asia. Turkish institutions are known to host religious seminars and workshops targeting South Asian Muslims, allegedly as part of Ankara's larger pan-Islamist outreach. India's security agencies believe this ideological grooming could serve to radicalise vulnerable populations and align them with Turkish geopolitical ambitions, sources said. Further raising eyebrows was the official visit by Mohammad Ashiq Chowdhury, Chief of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), to Turkish defence manufacturer MKE. The visit, reportedly conducted without the presence of senior Bangladeshi military or defence officials, has sparked concerns over covert defence arrangements under civilian pretexts. In addition, intelligence reports claim that Bangladesh's national security and information advisers have been attending closed-door military briefings in Turkey. There is also suspicion that Turkish assistance may be directed towards arming the Arakan Army, an insurgent group operating in Myanmar near India's eastern border. 🇧🇩🇹🇷 BIDA Chairman Ashik Chowdhury visits Turkey's MKE to explore military cooperation & tech transfer in defence. Turkey emerges as a key supplier of military equipment for Bangladesh. — Jahidul Islam Sajib (@jisajib1) May 31, 2025 Cross-Border Threats and Terror Financing Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliates are known to rely on diverse funding channels—including remittances, donations, and covert foreign intelligence support—to finance their activities. With Turkish backing, the group may now be better positioned to expand its operations and recruitment efforts in both Bangladesh and India. Security officials warn that the strengthened nexus between Jamaat and Turkey could fuel cross-border terrorism, especially in India's Northeast. Turkey has previously been accused of backing radical elements in India, particularly in regions like Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir. Strategic Alliance With Pakistan's ISI The intelligence sources further claim that Turkey, Pakistan's ISI, and Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami have formed a strategic alliance aimed at destabilising India. This trilateral network reportedly facilitates the movement of funds, weapons, and extremist ideology across South Asia, using Bangladesh as a staging ground for anti-India activities. The growing strength of this alliance, security analysts warn, poses a serious challenge to regional stability and India's internal security architecture. What Is Jamaat-e-Islami? Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamist political party in Bangladesh, had sided with Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War, opposing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League, which spearheaded the country's independence movement. Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mujibur Rahman's daughter, the party was banned and several of its top leaders faced a crackdown. However, after the end of her tenure, the Supreme Court overturned the cancellation of Jamaat-e-Islami's registration, clearing the way for its formal re-entry into politics through the Election Commission. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 09, 2025, 17:33 IST News world Turkish Funding for Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami Poses Threat to India: Intel Sources
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Milwaukee, other Wisconsin cities that change zoning to attract housing could get state cash
Milwaukee and other Wisconsin communities seeking to attract affordable housing by changing their zoning codes could be rewarded with grants from state taxpayers. That's through a provision in Gov. Tony Evers' 2025-27 budget proposal. If approved by the Legislature, the $119 billion budget would include $20 million to encourage local governments "to adopt zoning changes that reduce barriers to the development of more affordable housing options." The Wisconsin Department of Administration would operate the program. Local governments, including tribal nations, could compete for grants by adopting one or more zoning policies. Those are reducing minimum lot sizes and widths; reducing setback requirements to allow greater use of lots; increasing allowed lot coverages to match historic patterns; adopting a traditional neighborhood development ordinance, and allowing accessory dwelling units. That's according to the budget legislation, Senate Bill 45. Evers administration representatives didn't immediately respond to the Journal Sentinel's request for more information about the zoning change program. Some of its provisions are similar to what Mayor Cavalier Johnson's administration is recommending through the Department of City Development's stalled Growing MKE proposal. City officials are pleased to see "budget initiatives that the Department of City Development has already begun to advance through our Growing MKE plan," said Madison Goldbeck, department marketing and communications officer. The city supports Evers' proposals and will work with the Legislature "to advance initiatives that provide more affordable housing options for our community," Goldbeck said, in a statement. Growing MKE needs Common Council approval. The plan's suggested zoning changes — requiring separate council approval — would lead to greater density in a city where 40% of the land is restricted to single-family homes. Growing MKE includes encouraging development of accessory dwelling units. Those are houses or apartments that share the building lot of a larger, primary home. Such ADUs are generally smaller and more affordable than traditional single-family homes. Growing MKE supporters say increased density would include such "neighborhood scale" housing as duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, cottage courts and four-unit apartment buildings. That would encourage more housing construction, including affordable units, according to the plan's supporters. Opponents believe Growing MKE would encourage absentee investor landlords to increase their ownership of central city housing — driving up rents. That opposition led to more public meetings to explain Growing MKE and seek input. It has yet to return to the Plan Commission before undergoing council review. The state budget proposal from Evers, a Democrat, will undergo review by a Legislature where both chambers are controlled by Republicans. Evers' budget would spend too much and is not realistic, according to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@ and followed on Instagram, Bluesky, X and article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin cities could get state cash with zoning changes for housing
