A scintillating — scandalising one may as well call it — piece of news emanated from Cox's Bazar on March 24. A very big haul of modern automatic and light to heavy weapons and matching ammunition was made by the police on that day. To make things more sinister in cloak-and-dagger terms, 17 persons, said to be aliens, were rounded up with the seizure of the arms. Thus far is known as the authorities allowed it to be known.

After that the scandalous part begins. The 17 persons seem to have completely vanished. There is no record with the local police — who made the haul — of these persons being even arrested, not to speak of detained. No one knows where they are now. The police are saying the whole thing is being handled by the higher authorities and they do not know anything.

Unless clarified, the situation, as it stands, might be construed to have bearings on questions of-national security. And with nothing coming from the government, this is giving rise to speculations wild and dangerous.

If the authorities feel this to be something that must be kept away from exposure in the national interest, let them brief the editors accordingly. If it is not quite that the government should,iorthwith issue a clarification to remove public misgivings in the matter.

The way the Cox's Bazar arm® haul is being al-lowed to gather mystery and proving ideal for irresponsible canard campaigns, is sure tn hurt the government more than any other quartei.