Who will have the last laugh?

Sir. When the judge recently pronounced the death sentence for Ershad Sikdar. the most feared mass-murderer and Mafia King looked somewhat dejected but only momentarily. Later as he came out of the courtroom, according to the daily Janakantha. he boasted to have said. This is not the last court."

Any discerning newspaper reader who has closely followed the unfolding of the Ershad Sikdar saga since his capture last year, must have under-stood the underlying message: he is still confident of buying his way out of the jail as he has done in the past. At the same time, this has refocused the attention on his godfathers.

For two decades. Ershad Sikdar ruled the roost in Khulna committing one after another heinous crimes with impunity. And it could be possible because of his powerful backers that included former and sitting ministers, high government and police officials.

The nation was stunned by the newspaper revelation of the identities of those beneficiaries who backed him to tire hilt in exchange for hefty donations.

Seemingly embarrassed by the revelation, the present government appointed a 3-member committee to examine the veracity of the news reports. Causing a stir in the country.'the committee named 79 persons including 19 police personnel who were on Ershad's payroll.

In any outer civilised country, these personnel would have been immediately placed under suspension. if not arrested forthwith.

Surprisingly, five months have elapsed since the committee submitted its report but the home ministry so far has taken no action against the said officials despite public pronouncements. What is further shocking is that these police personnel are still continuing In their respective jobs.

According to a recent news item, the report is now lying idle In the home Ministry and no action is likely because of "Uporer nirdesh", or instructions from the top.

In our country everybody knows what that means. For the sake ol her own interest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Home Minister Mohammad Nasim should take Immediate note of the public resentment caused by their Inaction and act swiftly before their credibility Is further eroded.

Arshad Mahmud

Dhaka

Unocal’s ambitious plan

Sir, US oil company. Unocal, has expressed its plan to export gas through pipelines to a number of large cities and set up potential gasbased Industries in India (DS Feb 29). However, the Chairman of the Unocal. Mr. Roger C. Beach, while expressing his ambitious plan should have taken Into account that he is referring to the use of an extremely important resource that is owned by Bangladesh, and India is a different country. Moreover, his plan is not endorsed by the PSC. furthermore, iust only the other day. our PM has categorically declared that Bangladesh may consider exporting gas only after meeting Its domestic needs. including establishment of gas based industries tn the country. Evidently. Mr. Beach’s position greatly differs from our national policy. Therefore. I cannot but deplore his attitude of using resources of other country. Why are the foreign companies so keen on exploiting Bangladesh gas and not interested in establishing gas-based industries in the country?

K. Maudood Elahi, Professor. Jahangirnagar University,

Dhaka

‘Face the People’

Sir. As a layman and an avid newspaper reader. I was quite disappointed at the Prime Minister's 'Face the People' programme, and felt that nothing much would have been missed had 1 skipped the ‘show’. It didn’t appear that a Prime Minister was responding to the topical questions put in by a respected panel of members. It was apparent that the politicians have the knack of side-tracking pertinent questions and squiggle out of tight comers.

A PM is not supposed to go into statistical details, but deal with the philosophy of approach to national issues, and aspects of governance based on clear-cut policies which are not only transparent but also implemented without discrimination. It appeared that this government can do no wrong!

Unwisely. the public-meeting agenda approach was adopted, relying heavily on alibis and past events of former regimes, and shifting the blame to others in most cases. The weaknesses of the government administrative machinery were neither admitted nor analysed, especially the implementation of the regulatory obligations, which has made life so miserable these days. Attacking the past regimes does not provide solutions. The regimes change to bring about improvement, and learn from past mistakes.

The large audience could not be allotted any time to interact and respond, as the panel members came loaded with questions. More fax and telephone quarries needed attention.

Next time only the panel members need to be present - the members have enough questions for three hours.

Abul M Ahmad,

TOEFL dilemma Dhok“

Sir. I have passed the H.S.C. examination this year and tried to sit for the TOEFL. For the purpose. 1 sent my registration form on November 23. 1999 by Express Mall Service for January 15, 2000 TOEFL exam. However. I failed to sit for the exam because of admission ticket. I still haven't got my ticket and therefore, failed to sit for the exam even on February 2000. I went to the USIS but they told me that they have nothing to do and suggested me to wait. When 1 mailed TOEFL exam conductor - Educational Testing Service', they also advised me to wait.

My admission in a US university has already been cancelled as I could not provide TOEFL score In due time. I fervently urge the USIS authority to ensure my admission ticket as well as to many others who like me are yet to appear in their TOEFL exam due to dearth of admission ticket.

Jahidul Islam Lincoln 90/3 Boro Maghbazar

Dhaka 1217

Appropriate indeed

Sir. I would like To thank DS for publishing three photographs on the front page of Feb 16 issue showing how the ruling party abuses Public Safety Act' on the first day after enactment of the Public Safety Act 2000.

In this regard. I would again like to thank you for your Feb 16 editorial where you urge the government to amend PSA according to the advise of the president: side by side, urging the opposition to snow utmost endurance till necessary steps for amendment are taken.

With these two items. The Daily Star' again proves itself to be a neutral and conscious dally.

Syed Salahuddln Ahmed 103 Bhashani Hall, JU