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TO THE EDITOR
Are we failing as a nation?
I would like to believe that we haven't come to a point yet where we are made to wonder whether we are really failing as a nation. The history of independent Bangladesh has not been as smooth as we hoped it to be. We had to endure a lot of political turmoil where our state leaders were assassinated, including a great leader who had played a pivotal role in our war of independence along with most other members of his family. Finally, we began to hope for an end to the political turmoil when a popular uprising saw the end of a corrupt military ruler. Unfortunately, though, our sufferings continued.
The situation has now come to a point where ordinary Bangladeshis living in the country feel so terrified that they never imagined having to endure in a democratic country. Living outside the country, I cannot really get a grasp of what the people of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country are going through at the moment after the heinous attack on Sheikh Hasina and other political leaders. I can, however, feel an immense sense of insecurity, disbelief and shock in the voices of my near and dear ones when I talk to them over telephone . The whole capital is in a sombre mood, people are afraid to go out and carry out their normal routine activities. Is that what we envisaged to endure in an independent country?
There are reasons to believe that the people who carried out the attack on AL leaders are also responsible for the other bomb attacks in the recent past. The forces carrying out the attacks have gone too far. We must get rid of this Frankenstein before it creates more chaos and destruction. KM Zubair Sadeque Duquesne University, USA ***
The August 21 massacre is just an outcome of our hopeless political culture dependent on armed-cadres to "capture" the seat of power and to cling to it. Both the main political parties of our country are guilty of harbouring criminals to meet their selfish political (rather financial) ends. The flame will catch up sooner or later if somebody continues to play with fire! Sometimes it is said that these political goons are capable of brandishing more sophisticated and advanced weapons/ammunition than the police-force itself! The more "powerful" these armed political elements become, the more "influence" they will wield over their godfathers. They want to keep the country in a constant state of chaos/anarchy to facilitate their illegal/unsocial activities.
So, the political parties themselves have become hostage to the armed activists being sheltered within their ranks for the benefit of just a few.
CNR
Chittagong
***
The incident of Aug 21 has proved once again the inefficiency of our intelligence agencies. The grenade attack has shown the political misery of the country and also the lack of commitment of the government to saving the VIPs. Every time such an incident takes place, innocent people die, and a committee to probe into the incident is formed as an eye-wash.
Our political parties throw mud at each other and if there is any third party involved they feel comfortable!
Moinul Alam Ramna, Dhaka ***
The nation again watched an horrific bomb attack and this time it was on Sheikh Hasina. When our country is struggling to cope with the
damage caused by floods, when the economy is yet to regain its normal pace, the attack was launched.
Bombing, a cowardly act, has become very common from the late nineties. More alarming than this is that the government itself has taken it as a common and normal phenomenon.
Every time a bomb blasts, people read newspaper curiously, watch news in television, intellectuals condemn it with black badges, the government assures us of nabbing the culprits and bringing the conspirators to public glare. But all of these are limited to words, nothing more. Yes, after any bomb blast the government forms a probe body in a hurry. And it is also unfortunately true that the probe report always fails to see light of the day. If this is the situation then how can we expect that our countrymen will have a better future?
After more than thirty years of our independence we have failed to see a stable Bangladesh, even for a short period of time.
The government should come out of its cocoon and identify all those elements of instability and take tough measures to eliminate them, before it is too late.
Mithun
Kamalapur, Dhaka
***
Those people who still dream about democracy should come out of their superficial illusion. The idea of government of the people, for the people, by the people has been given a great importance in the last 15 years. As a citizen of Bangladesh, I believe this is the right time to expose the real face of democracy.
We all know about the killing of Bangabandhu, President Zia and other leaders. These killings have been exploited for political purpose from time to time. Besides, let us consider some more facts. Four people, including a policeman, were killed on February 13, 2001 when the activists from a procession of the then ruling Awami League led by a lawmaker allegedly opened fire on a BNP procession at the Malibagh Crossing. Moreover, we have seen the recent bus arson before a hartal day which took 10 lives, including that of a child. Moreover, the killings of policemen in different parts of the country do not receive due attention.
When the lawmakers are reported to be involved in unlawful activities, some intellectuals still talk about democracy. People of Bangladesh are supposed to understand the definition of democracy and the effect of it on our lives. Democracy has turned Bangladesh into a jungle without security and tranquillity. This disorder will continue to push Bangladesh into further turmoil and chaos if the people still dream about democracy.
I believe people in this country need to take a long, hard look at themselves and decide what their choice is. Democracy has clearly failed. Muhammad Mahbubul Alam Student of BBA, North South University, Dhaka
***
It is not just one grenade attack, such attacks have been going on for years. Could that be possible without any
involvement of the party (s) in power?
I think Bangladesh has no experts to investigate such incidents. So, it should be investigated by some international agency.
Kabir
On e-mail
***
Again we witnessed bomb attacks on a public gathering on 21 August. This time it was on a rally organised by the AL in protest against previous bomb attacks in different places of the country. A series of grenades were hurled on the rally. Such grenades are used by military, as claimed by an officer of the RAB. The question is how the deadly explosives reached the terrorists? I do not understand why our government is not realising that it is gradually losing its acceptability and support due to prevailing lawlessness, price-hike and the attitude towards the opposition.
On the other hand, I should say that opposition political parties, the electronic media and the press also are not performing their duties positively. In a situation like this, opposition leaders and the media should advice people to remain calm and not to resort to unlawful activities like burning and damaging vehicles, offices, shops etc. Habibul Muhit
Nizam Road R/A, Chittagong
Grenade inside jail
After the brutal grenade attack on the main oppositions meeting, at least 2 unexploded grenades were found on the spot. One of which had its safety ring on. Which indicates the miscreants didn't have enough time to use it...just got rid of it as they fled the place. Very surprisingly, one more was found in the central jail the next morning.
I don't know how one would be convinced that someone came in with a grenade and passed through the security net of an installation like jail. And question comes... why somebody wanted a deadly device like grenade inside the jail?
The only possible conclusion is, some of the prisoners went out on that evening on a mission and came back safely after completing the mission partially and since they were in a hurry while falling back, unfortunately they could not get rid of all the unex-
ploded grenades they carried one back to their den.
This practice is not totally new in our politics. Everyone must remember that in 1990 the then government let some prisoners out to attack demonstrators. I don't think we, the general people, can do anything about it. Our fate has become hostage to the politicians.
Romeo Ahmed
Central Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Poor handling of the crisis
Last Saturday's grenade attack on the Awami League rally was the most heinous attack on democracy not seen since the Bangabandhu family massacre in 1975. I do not think the country has faced a political crisis of this magnitude since the early years of Bangladesh. What is most disheartening is the way the government handled the situation. This political crisis could have been averted, had the authorities used the right judgement. There was no doubt in anyone's mind about who masterminded this assassination attempt . I honestly believe that the first reaction of the public was not to put the blame on the BNP, rather they thought that fundamentalist forces were behind this crime. The BNP government should have sensed the public sentiment instantly and reacted with a massive crisis management plan and deployed rapid response teams to handle the crisis. With the independent media ready on the streets with live coverage, the government should have come to the aid of the victims. At a time like
this political affiliations are no longer an issue, it is a question of serving the humanity, irrespective of political identity.
As I watched the ATN coverage of the blast, my instant reaction was "where are the police?" If the on-duty policemen ran for cover, we can still forgive them but why did they not ask for immediate back up ? We have over a dozen security and intelligence agencies, not to mention the military forces which could be deployed immediately and a newly formed Rapid Action Battalion who are supposed to be on alert anyway? Why were the investigating teams so late in arriving at the place? A coverage on TV showed a military/paramilitary personnel checking a grenade with the aid of a cell phone LCD light because they were not carrying torches?
Meanwhile, the government could have averted a lot of casualties if emergency measures were taken to deploy doctors at DMCH or if they had made makeshift arrangements like transportation for the wounded to be taken to CMH and other government and private hospitals! Just because this was an opposition rally did not mean that government agencies would not come to their aid. Furthermore, Police started to obstruct private cars from entering the blast zone to pick up the wounded ! Who was in command of the police at the time and whose instructions did they follow to obstruct humanitarian assistance during such a crisis?
Farhan Quddus
Old DOHS, Banani, Dhaka
***
All premeditated crimes have a pur- pose, either personal or organisational. It could be to wreak vengeance in retaliation of any past wrongdoing or injustice suffered at the hands of any powerful person or authority or to further any common cause or objective, no matter whether legal or not. If the authorities are serious about finding out the culprits, they would have to authorise the investigators to question all probable sources who could have a motive to commit the crime without exception. It must be understood that the criminals or terrorists don't make the job of an investigator easy by leaving behind a clear trail!
It is clear from the way last Saturday's attack on Awami League's rally was carried out that it was done by highly trained people who left no clue for our CID/ DIB personnel. At least they could not get hold of any so far. It leads one to think whether the assailants were using the uniforms of our law enforcing agencies which would have helped them mingle with the
crowd and also to take up positions wherever they liked!
The investigation should begin with questioning people and organisations which totally disagree with Awami League's political agenda and would like to see them removed from the political arena. The process should be systematic and long- drawn, if necessary. No perfunctory inquiry would yield any positive result.
Abul Mohsin
Siddheswari Circular Road, Dhaka
Give peace a chance
I am writing to express my appreciation of the editor's article that I read just now in the Internet edition of The Daily Star. The very birth of Bangladesh was of supreme historic importance to Modern Bengal. The emergence and the existence of Bangladesh are not just emotional matters to us, Bengalees, but matters that should appeal to the modern Bengalees' rational mind and existence and their will to go forward.
It hurts me enormously to see Bangladesh being tormented by mindless violence and a strange brand of hostility towards everything that a civil society cannot do without. I am praying for Peace, for Justice, for Reason. Hereby, I, a friend of Bangladesh, am appealing to everyone in that potentially great country to say a resounding NO to violence, hostility, bigotry and irrationalism. Let Bangladesh once again become a source of hope and inspiration to all freedom loving Bengalees, wherever they may be. Let us all think of our children, the young people who need a proper environment to develop as individuals, to flourish mentally and physically, to give expression to their dreams, and to face the challenges of existence. Let's finally give PEACE A CHANCE.
Kabir Suman
Kolkata, India
***
We are extremely outraged by the incident of Aug 21. Thanks to all those who saved your life. We sympathise with your party leaders and activists who have sacrificed their lives to save
yours.
Pro-democratic forces must unite
under your leadership to save the country. The present government which consists of anti-democratic and anti- liberation forces have no moral authority to stay in power.
Zinda Mahmood Bajwa & family
New York, USA
CMH
I was reading an article in The Daily Star of the 22 August, 2004, titled "Horror Descends On Trauma Wards" listing out situations in different hospitals after the bombing. The paragraph that really struck me most from the whole article was the one I am stating below:
"Combined Military Hospital : BCL General Secretary Nazrul Islam Babu, fighting for life ....asked his family to take him to a private clinic."
I am only 21 years old and I don't understand politics. But I do question one thing for the sake of morality and humanity, how can a hospital anywhere refuse to admit a patient in desperate need of medical attention? Another thing I noticed is that Dhaka Medical College Hospital and many other such hospitals were having problems coping with the bomb injuries due to shortage of blood, staff and expertise. Since CMHs in Bangladesh are the most well-equipped military hospitals for treating bomb injuries and casualties, why weren't their staff used by the government as a resource during an emergency like this?
Mehzabin Ahmed
Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, USA
We condemn...
I vehemently condemn the attack on the leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina. I was utterly shocked when I first heard of it. It left me speechless, I felt angry and helpless at the same time. It seemed to me that these blast games are becoming a part of life in Bangladesh.
None of the perpetrators of this gruesome attack that left the whole country flabbergasted have been arrested so far. As far as I know there was no headway in the investigation into the attack on the British High Commissioner. Our lacklustre police force has failed to identify the criminals
I am unable to conclude anything solid about the ultimate motive of such an attack. What will the attackers gain by killing the leader of the opposition? This attack has an uncanny similarity with those of Sylhet; it's apparent that grenades were used in all of these attacks.
But we ought to be grateful to the Almighty that the leader of the opposition escaped unscathed; otherwise the whole situation would have turned into a huge crisis, which, I am sure, the government would certainly have failed to control.
Apart from these concerns, I am worried about the impact it is going to have on the image of Bangladesh which has been steadily deteriorating since the coalition came to power.
HT
On e-mail
***
Grenades were thrown on the AL's rally at Bangabandhu Avenue. The attack, aimed at Sheikh Hasina and other frontline AL leaders, knocked 19 people off, and over 200 leaders and activists were either wounded or maimed for life. We are speechless and flabbergasted at this heinous, barbaric attack. We find no words weighty enough to spell out our anguish.
Nasir Uddin Roney
Dept. Of Anthropology, The University Of Chittagong
***
The attack on the Awami League (AL) rally has upset everything in the country. It is an unprecedented act of barbarity that has blurred our image beyond recognition.
I don't know what options are open to us now, but it is clear that the days ahead are not going to be happy for the nation. Perhaps it is time the judiciary was separated so that we have an institution free from the evil influence of politics.
Md Sadek On e-mail
Terrorists dominate
The attempt on the life of Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina clearly shows that Bangladesh today has been overtaken by terrorists. We may not blame the fanatic Islamic militants as it is yet to be unearthed who are behind these bomb and grenade attacks. But it seems that Islamic fundamentalist parties are the primary suspects as they were continu-
ously threatening the progressive forces including the Awami League. Only a few days ago one of the Islamic leaders openly said that the editor of the daily Prothom Alo would suffer the fate of Dr. Hamyun Azad .
Fanatic Islamic groups are now influencing Khaleda Zia's politics and policies for which her government was compelled to impose ban on the publications of Ahmadiyya community who are popularly known here as Kadianis. This sort of activities have significantly eroded Bangladesh's image as a moderate Islamic country.
Islamist militants are the real winner in the current situation where the two big parties led by two ladies are busy mudslinging. They are moving from strength to strength on the back of the BNP as a free rider.
Militant Muslim groups here may have links to international terrorist groups.
Begum Khodeja Gulshan, Dhaka
An expatriate's thoughts I sent a letter to my son who lives in Sydney informing him of the deteriorating law and order situation in the country following the recent grenade attack on the Awami League leaders on the 21st of this month. I am quoting below his response and reaction on the subject for publication in the DS, so that the readers can share the concern that has been expressed in the letter.
"Sorry to hear about the unrest in Dhaka. I just had a look at the DS Internet edition and the law and order situation in the country really seems totally out of control. These are really worrying signs. How can people live in a country that offers its citizen no security? I know that you like to take an optimistic view about how our country is improving, but is it really making any progress? Bangladesh has been going through the same cycle of corruption and political instability for the last 33 years. For Bangladesh to progress as a nation a lot of work needs to be done at the grassroots level. But it is impossible for people to work or even think clearly with the shadow of violence and insecurity hanging over their heads. Progress at the grassroots level can't be achieved without physical security and an end to the widespread corruption . To tell you honestly, I can't foresee a non-corrupt stable government in Bangladesh in our lifetime. Which leads me into my next question : where do I fit in, in relation to national identity and pride ? It's a concept I often struggle to come to terms with. As I told you on the phone I was granted Australian citizenship last month. But deep down it takes generations before people are at ease with their new identity in their naturalised country. I don't really feel a need to relate to the Australian identity even though it is unhealthy not to when I have chosen to live in the country. The Mayor of Sydney, who presented the citizenship certificates said in her speech that we
should not have to give up our
country of origin in accepting
Australian citizenship and still be proud of our origins.
Rezaur Rahman
Mohammadpur, Dhaka