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Opinion

Self-complacency -- the marauder of social values
***It is good to know that FBI of USA is being involved in the investigation process. Meantime, we await new and newer revelation about the political killings since August 21, 2004 and illegal trading and hauling of huge arms. Let the political leaders and others in the administration understand that there is no room or scope for complacency on all such diabolical murders of human beings. Let us not cheat ourselves any longer.***
stitch in time saves nine' -so goes the perceptual saying since time immemorial. The deliberate indifference or a suicidal and a weird self-complacent approach to an impending crisis by the party in power, particularly on the ignominious issue of the so-called Islamic militancy and extremism, has soiled our national image. The international community, the donors and the media have been very critical about the ever rising number of terrorist acts taking place in the country since August 21, 2004. The loud cry for international investigation, preferably by FBI of the United States of America from the affected family members of late SAMS Kibria continues to remain unheeded. The process of investigation, meantime undertaken by our own men in CID and allied bodies, have though revealed some encouraging information on the gruesome murder of Mr. Kibria, the overall process could have some loose ends because of the political connection of the accused persons so far intercepted, with the power centre. The only redeeming feature has however been unveiled to the whole nation is
the fact that the accused or the criminals perpetrating the crime have not been Awami Leaguers. The two-three persons, claimed by the investigating agencies to have been Awami Leaguers, are reported to have been detained for interrogation at some stage of the investigation.
A senior minister of the government observed that SAMS Kibria was killed by the Awami Leaguers themselves to damage the image of the government. Yet another minister, very capable of twisting facts thought that in Mr. Kibria's death Awami League would be most benefited. Hauling up of a number of Awami League workers could be linked with such awfully cooked up stories by two ministers of the government and party stalwarts. Even if the end of the present investigation remains unpredictable, at least the revelations about the probable killers could be enough to make a positive rebuff. It would be more humane if we command restraints to such uncouth remarks. More so, when the subject was none other than SAMS Kibria, a gentleman every inch.
The element of self-complacency I was alluding to at the outset has indeed been a deep-rooted and
perpetual malady with our political leaders irrespective of the party affiliations. Of course there are variations in its degree between individuals. Yet its insidious impact on the total national scenario continues to be agonisingly preposterous. At times the two P's -- politicians and perversion -- sound synonymous for their being outrageously personalised having nothing to do with the aspirations of the common people of the country.
When Henry Kissinger branded Bangladesh as a 'bottomless basket' our leaders vis-a-vis, the whole nation had no other choice than to swallow the bitter pill. And when an American ambassador loudly felt that we were 'a moderate, liberal Muslim state' we were literally cajoled and infatuated with his unsolicited certification. We thanked our fate (may be, our forefathers) for not being bracketed with
the extremist, militant Islamic states which are considered to have been the abodes of the terrorists. So we closed our eyes to the uncertain corners of the country, the dark alleys where Bangladesh brand of 'Al-Qaida' of Osama Bin Laden or the like was already in the process of organisation. Basking in such a blissful state of ignorance our leaders in the government let things go its own way. In the meantime we watched establishment of innumerable madrasahs and religion-based social service organisations at different parts of the country. Many of them have been in fact training centers for youths aimed at building a new Bangladesh on the basis of Islamic fundamentalism. Their modus operandi has been so very secret and illusive as would be puzzling to our intelligence. Funded by unknown foreign agencies some of these institutions are now
reported to have been possessing arms to effect insurrection or revolution.
The emergence of one Siddiqur Rahman with the surname of 'Bangla Bhai' in the northern part of the country was yet another intriguing episode as should have been instantly intercepted. The home ministry, precisely the state minister, jeered at such a revelation in the press. He went to the extent of making, a coinage of the word 'Bangla Bhai' with his own innovative expression like 'English Bhai', etc. He ruled out the existence of such a 'Bangladeshi Birappan'. He pleaded his total ignorance of any such person who was playing havoc in some parts of north Bangal creating a reign of terror. He had no feed back from the relevant branches of the police administration. He kept on relaxing with the self-some state of complacency that everything was
going on well. However, he rose on his feet when the present US Ambassador made a public statement on this ominous Bangla Bhai whereupon the Prime Minister was herself alarmed. She ordered for immediate arrest of the hoodlum within 'seven days'. And that period stipulated in the PM's order was not heeded to even after several months. Now the State Minister tells us that the Robinhood of Bangladesh, the most formidable 'Bangla Bhai' is not traceable. He cannot tell if the man is out of the country.
The most awfully casual and lackadaisical manner of handling the big arms haul at Chittagong and other places including Kuril of the Dhaka city could be cited again as total indifference. Assassination attempt on the British High Commissioner in Sylhet was allegedly not properly investigated into. These and many others have been classic
examples of the ineffectiveness of the administrative machinery of the government both in the past and in the present. On the other hand, the ominous manoeuvre of the so-called Islamic activists continued unabated. Besides, hard core criminals, fondly described as cadres of the two main political parties under direct patronage of their big 'godfathers' create havoc in the social and political arena, often in collusion with some men in the law enforcing agencies. There hoodlums are hardly intercepted and even if they are, in exceptional cases, police need clearance from the mysterious 'high-ups'. Reports on their mischief are also shelved at the insistence of their beneficiaries in the government. This has been the most common scenario in our poor country since long.
Of late, a teacher of Rajshahi University has been very much in the lime light. He is reportedly being proceeded against on grounds of treason and other acts of murder, etc. His arrest was preceded by yet another murders of a very popular teacher of the same university. Interrogation on remand is going on for quite sometime and the end is yet to be seen. Our history and experience on similar issues have not been in any manner encourag-
ing to get rid of the usual reservation. On the present case, it is most likely that the BNP shall have been under tremendous pressure from the other partners in the government donning 'Islamic' garb.
The latest development in the investigation of Kibria murder case provides a good pointer that preemptive words accusing Awami League of killing its own leader have been outrageously preposterous. The enthusiastic ministers and others in the government party would now take self-imposed slaps. This can be a good lesson for them and every one in position and opposition for future. Hopefully, all would refrain from such sort of ridiculous game. By the way, it is good to know that FBI of USA is being involved in the investigation process. Meantime, we await new and newer revelation about the political killings since August 21, 2004 and illegal trading and hauling of huge arms. Let the political leaders and others in the administration understand that there is no room or scope for complacency on all such diabolical murders of human beings. Let us not cheat ourselves any longer.
Kazi Alauddin Ahmed is an industrial consultant.