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Rising Tide of Terrorism

It's Politico-Economic Mien with Quality of Governance

by M M Rezaul Karim
***The lack of good governance, absence of real democratic practices, deliberate refusal of redeeming oft-repeated pledges, lack of sincerity to resolve political problems, widespread political violence, repression on opposition political parties and such other problems have posed formidable barriers to the establishment of a stable political climate in our country.***
Last week, a busload of people were attacked by hooligans causing death to eight passengers and wounding many more. The attackers alleged to have belonged to the Islamic Chhatra Shibtr who used modern automatic weapons to brushflre their victims. The Incident left a pall of gloom over the port city, caused widespread anger In many quarters and deepened the sense of despair Ln the civil society. Condemnation emanated from most quarters with the Awaml league, whose student wing bore the brunt most as victims, was naturally most vociferous. BNP Chairperson and Secretary General also not only condemned this "inhuman and barbaric" crime but went a step forward by demanding a Judicial inquiry to mete out "exemplary punishment" to the "real culprits." The general people were horrified, alarmed and left with deep feelings of anguish and indignation.
Never in the history of Bangladesh did the law and order situation degenerate as much as it has done today. The speed with which the situation worsened Is most unfortunate, though It may not be altogether incomprehensible. Unfortunate, because the rising tide of crime, both in its forms and intensity, could not be arrested despite loud protestations and diverse measures undertaken by the present government towards this end. Not only the issue of improving the law and order situation was high in the list of pledges made by the Awaml League in its election manifesto, but this was the first priority declared by the Prime Minister immediately after having taken oath of office in June 1996.
Why was it so? Why has the government failed to redeem the pledge it has made so frequently? Was there a mistake In choosing the methods of operation in combating crime or was there a lack of sincerity and fairness
perceived in governmental operation? One docs not have much to say against (he modality of operation of the law enforcing agencies, they have been in this business all along and achieved varied degrees of success. But on the other hand, there Is much to say about some of the modus ope randi of the ruling party which appear totally different from what had been practiced by the BNP during Its rule. The head of a top and friendly diplomatic mission In Bangladesh aptly described this as "confrontational politics."
To cite a few examples, one may view the way of dealing with hartals by the two major-political parties. While the BNP allowed the opposition to observe hartal and refrained their supporters from coming out in the streets In order to avoid possible conflicts, the Awaml League during tire opposition hartals sought to "control streets" as they had declared and organised huge processions often with lathis or sticks and other weapons. Secondly, senior ministers and political leaders led processions with sticks as a show of force to intimidate the highest rung of the Judiciary into taking action according to the dictates of the former. They obviously demonstrated their anger against the Judiciary, which was dispensing justice as per the legal procedure and practices in vogue and evidently in accordance with the law of the country. Thirdly, the stick processtons organised by the Awaml League following the heinous bus killings In Chittagong was also viewed by many as a stark manifestation of the threat to take law in its own hands and Introduce a Jungle rule in the country. This form of confrontational politics is no doubt counter-productive, as everyone knows that violence begets violence and. therefore, is no effective solution.
As for sincerity and fairness in combating crime, one may also have some questions to ask oneself. Awaml League's sincerity for this purpose, according to many, Is conditional, if a police action does not harm Awaml cadres, the ruling party Is sincere In its approach. Of course, there are exceptions where even the rulers
considered a lack of action would have exposed themselves and consequently shunned as undesirable. But fairness in such operations is much more vividly exhibited. For example, while the government earned praise by conducting anti-terrorist combing operation In the southwestern region of the country and apprehended some of the notorious terrorists, it was overshadowed by government's overtly discriminatory action of the so-called combing operation in Fenl which resulted In detention and framing of charges only against opposition leaders and workers. The ruling party suspects were not touched and their godfather shared the same platform with the home minister. Godfather boasted publicly possession of illegal arms by his cadre. No action was taken against him or against his 20,000 strong cadre or uniformed storm troopers.
Besides numerous cases have been reported lately in the press about killings, extortion, unlawful occupation of property and other crimes committed by Awaml League ministers. MPs and their family members. Hardly any action has been taken against them. Such unfair and discriminatory policy, no doubt, docs not serve the purpose as intended and declared.
Besides the need for the gov-
ernment to be earnest, fair and non discriminatory, one should ponder over some other areas in which remedial operation appears warranted. This is about student politics. Politics in our time, some half a century ago for general students, was a matter secondary to studies. It was directed towards fulfilment of an idealistic approach or promotion of a prime national cause. But student politics of today has different objectives. It is seen nowadays, though with notable exceptions, as a way to earn money and power by way of flexing muscles and resorting to other means that could hardly be termed fair or even legal.
The Hon hie President spoke in no unmistakable terms on a number of occasions about the use of students for narrow political purposes by their leaders and advocated spuming of politics by students. Even if one does not go that far. some measures do require to be devised under which students will detach themselves from active and violent politics, in contrast to their cultural welfare and other legitimate functions, and will refrain themselves from oilier activities designed to promote monetary gains.
In spite of what was stated above, it would be unfair to cast the blame entirely upon students and the youth of the society. The fundamental problem lies elsewhere. It Is basically an economic Issue. You provide gainful employment to the unemployed youth, create facilities for the general mass to earn an Income with which they can sustain themselves, and show prospects to students for a better future. Then only incidents of terrorism as we witness today will vastly diminish almost to the level of tolerance. But our economic progress, unfortunately, has not assumed the dimension which can satisfy these requirements. Economic prosperity obviously Is depended upon political stability. This we do not have in our country, it is because we as politicians, have not been able to raise ourselves, on many occasions, over party interests and undoubtedly not over personal Interests to the level that would serve national interests.
The lack of good governance, absence of real democratic practices, deliberate refusal of redeeming oft-repeated pledges, lack of sincerity to resolve political problems, widespread political violence, repression on opposition political parties and such other problems have posed formidable barriers to the establishment of a stable political climate
in our country. As a result, our economic development has been hindered, export trade impaired and Investment shied away. The responsibility for taking appropriate remedial measures Ues primarily upon the government, which Is the depository of, state power and resources. The bold and sincere Initiative that is warranted from the ruling party In the present situation did not come forth, unfortunately.
Despite loss of opportunities, many actions of the government aggravated the situation. For example, the government showed protracted obduracy and undue arrogance in refusing to enter dialogue on the 4-point demand of the opposition BNP for over a year and a half and, on the contrary. exasperated the opposition by way of holding municipal elections in clear and deUberate violation of one of these demands. The commendable gesture made by the prime minister by inviting the leader of the opposition to a dialogue to discuss appointment of Chief Election Commissioner was withdrawn on a pretext and. in the final analysis, turned out to be a poUtical ploy and propaganda exercise. More than the unilateral appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, the government clearly exposed Its nefarious design by appointing a top retired civil servant, the "J ana tar Mancha - famed diehard Awaml League supporter, as an Election Commissioner who must be impartial and undisputed. Such actions taken by the government do not contribute to the establishment of a stable poUtical climate which in turn vitiates economic situation and consequently breeds and encourages the forms of terrorism that has now been entrenched In our society.
The author, a former Ambassador. is a Member of BNP's Advisory Council.