The islami Chhatra Shibir s (ICS) attempt on Thursday to capture two Jahangirnagar University (JU) halls gives credence to the reports carried in different dailies in the past on the blueprint the anti-liberation force is pursuing to implement. Their blueprint is that.they will gradually establish an almost unchallenged control over all the universities first; and then down the line of educational institutions. That way they think the state power will be theirs to take.

While the second part of the anti-liberation elements' programme looks somewhat out-landishly impossible, the first part no longer surprises anyone. The Shibir built up its own empire in the Chittagong University and every other student organisations, general students and progressive teachers there have virtually lost their battle against these goons. After Chittagong the ICS targeted Rajshahi Univer sity and quite successfully made their stronghold there. It is no different in Islami University. Kushtia. A long day s preparation has brought them in direct confrontation at JU. Their elaborate preparation shows what they are exactly after.

It all shows that the Shibir is fast closing the circle and its final target is obviously going to be Dhaka University. The Shibir may have failed to materialise their plan this time, thanks to the university authority of Jahangirnagar. But there is no cause for celebration yet. for the ICS cadres doggedly pursue their course until they reach their goal. Now that the cadres have been arrested — according to some reports as high a number as 40 — with such weapons as SMG, rifles and explosives, here is chance to root out the poisonous fangs once for all — at least at JU. If a notorious president can be put behind bar on the strength of the existing arms act, these Shibir goons too can be well taken care of by applying the same act. The government has long pretended not to see the rise of the Shibir. Now it is time to hit back. After all the JCD is now on the Shibir's hit list. To put an end to a bizarre student politics and a spiteful violent saga of rivalry between student wings, this is the least the government must do.