THE original intention of the caretaker government system was to have an interim arrangement for conducting the routine functions only. Its ultimate job was to ensure a free and fair general election. The new elected government would take over and relieve the caretaker government of its responsibilities. At least this was the universally agreed arrangement in vogue till January 11. The period between October 28, 2006 and January 11, 2007 had been one of extreme uncertainty and weird speculations about the course of action that lay ahead. The situation turned out to be very volatile due to a sort of unholy gamble purposefully patronised by the leaders of the outgoing government of the 4-party alliance. A violent clash was in the offing between the 4-party alliance and the 14-party alliance, Jatiyo Party and LDP combined.

Thus, a terrible national crisis precipitated with rapidity. One side was, by then, in a mad rage

over its demand for holding election within 90 days as per the constitution. The other side would not participate in the election till its proposals for reform of the Election Commission and in the administration was acceded to. Their demand was, coincidentally, linked with a free, fair and absolutely transparent election which would be credible both nationally and internationally.

At such a crucial hour it was very interesting to observe that the UN agencies, the European Commission, donor agencies, and even the US government opined in favour of the reforms demanded by 14-party alliance. In the meantime, despite hectic and frantic efforts on the part of some advisers of the caretaker government of the time, things could not take the desired, acceptable shape.

At last, as it seems, good sense prevailed. A state of emergency was declared by the president in exercise of his constitutional power. The caretaker government headed by the president was dissolved, preceded by his

resignation from the position of chief adviser. With it, the constitution was suspended and, consequently, all political activities were stopped. In such a rapid process an altogether new government -call it a caretaker or an interim one -- was installed, effective January 12.

This government is led by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former governor of Bangladesh Bank, who announced his priorities at the first instance, and topmost in the agenda had been the routing of corrupt politicians and reckless practitioners of terrorist activities. His immediate strategy has been to go for reform of the two constitutional institutions, namely, the Election Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission. In

fact, both these institutions had proved utterly ineffective and unable to meet the challenge facing the nation.

Getting absolute support of the constitutional provisions on emergency rule, the chief adviser and other advisers of the new caretaker government till now have given enough proof of their good intention and unswerving determination to make a dent in the huge malpractices perpetrated by some people under the umbrella of political parties in the past.

By now, a few former ministers and members of parliament, and a good number of leaders belonging mostly to BNP, Awami League, and their student and labour wings have been huddled up on charges of corruption, extortion,

forcible occupation of state property, acts of terrorism and many other vices. And those who were yet to be caught were asked to surrender to the police within 72 hours (which expired on 17-0207).

The fugitives and alleged offenders are yet to respond to face the process of law. Perhaps they are awaiting the ultimate outcome of the Habeas Corpus/writ petitions already filed by some of the arrested persons in the High Court, which issued rule on the government which is to be answered within 10 days.

Chief Adviser, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, addressed the secretaries of the ministries, all the Deputy Commissioners, and senior members of the police administration

on 15-02-07. In the meeting he exhorted all of them to perform their respective responsibilities with absolute neutrality. Such a forceful exhortation on the part of the chief adviser has opened up the door of hope to the people who have long been deprived of justice and fairplay, being also perennial victims of partiality.

In fact, our present dismally bleak state has not been the created overnight. The process of our fall actually commenced immediately after we achieved freedom in December 1971. The unique sense of unity that we displayed in the sixties, the cohesive and formidable fort we built on Bangalee nationalism, and our firm commitment in the War of Liberation soon turned out to be

things of the past.

Our moral values waned fast, giving in to a deluge of social vices eating up the marrow of our otherwise glorious existence. Added to such an unfortunate state of degeneration, the ignominous role played by many of the politicians pushed the whole nation to be branded globally as the most corrupt nation for five successive years.

Over the past few days the law enforcing agencies have recovered huge quantity of relief goods from the possession of some of the BNP leaders now in custody. A huge amount of foreign exchange has also been hauled up from the residence of an ex-minister from BNP. The allegations of corruption, nepotism, favouritism, grabbing government land, building palatial houses, possessing the costliest motor vehicles for personal use, etc are now being investigated into.

The whole process of bringing the actual culprits to book has been profusely acclaimed by the general members of the public. Those who had been direct vic-

tims of the atrocities of the terrorists in the guise of political leaders are also much elated. They, and others in different localities of the city and also in rural areas, now heave sighs of relief. With renewed hope, all are longing for a better, brighter tomorrow.

Yet, they cannot shake off their doubts or reservations altogether. In spite of the stern warning given by the caretaker government, there may be some lapses here and there on the part of the investigation. We have got to keep round the clock vigil to dispel our apprehension. In any case, the new days of hope and promise, as put forward to the nation by the present caretaker government, cannot be allowed to fade out.

Kazi Allaudin Ahmed is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star.