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Stop violence, killing people

Civil society members urge political parties

Staff Correspondent
Eminent civil society members and political analysts yesterday called for an immediate end to the violence and killings that began nearly a month ago when the BNP-led 20-party alliance enforced an indefinite blockade.
Violence has claimed the lives of at least 50 people, burnt and injured dozens others since January 5. Businesses and livelihoods of people have been hit hard.
Analysts fear the ongoing political deadlock might create scopes for the rise of undemocratic and militant forces in the country.
Talking to The Daily Star, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, said: "I am concerned if the violent politics goes on, we might be in for some terrorist activities."
People have been held hostage in the zero-sum game of politics, and the political leaders are increasingly distancing themselves from people by being indifferent to their welfare, he noted.
"Political leaders should ask their own conscience whether their claim of doing politics for people and democracy is genuine. If they realise it, they would be ready to solve the problem," mentioned Iftekharuzzaman.
Founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said the government cannot avoid taking the responsibility of what is happening in Bangladesh today.
“The prime minister should immediately declare a mid-term election, while Khaleda Zia should withdraw blockade and hartals for the sake of the country, its people and democracy," he observed.
Zafrullah added: All the political parties should hold a dialogue to decide on the modalities of the election-time government and other issues concerned.
Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shushashoner Janney Nagorik, said the government is solely responsible for ensuring peace and rule of law in the country.
"So the prime minister has to take the initiative first to end the deadlock," he said, adding that using excessive force to stop violence will not work. Rather, the crisis should be solved politically.
There is a possibility that the law enforcers would abuse power to harass people linked to the BNP and its allies, instead of brining to book the real culprits behind arson attacks and killings, mentioned Badiul.
Noted jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik said blockades and hartals are nothing but a manifestation of sick politics.
"We seem to be destined to suffer since we only have power-hungry politicians, but no statesman," he lamented.