For the last two weeks I was in Stockholm and London attending several meetings related to environment and water management. During this time, I was repeatedly confronted with critical questions from friends and well-wishers about the serious decline in governance in our country. They also expressed their mortification about the unresolved terrorist bombing attacks. I must admit that I had to agree with most of their observations.

The last straw came with the electronic media report of 21 August when BBC TV, London, telecast Bangladesh Channel i footage of the assassination attempt on Sheikh Hasina, the Leader of the Opposition and on other supporters of the Awami League Party. Sitting in London, I could not believe my eyes. The carnage on that afternoon not only left many dead and hundreds injured but raised many significant questions. It was indeed a 'black Saturday.'

The incident happened in clear daylight, with hundreds of law and order personnel presumably guarding a peaceful rally confined in an enclosed space. It was also not the first time that an Awami League meeting had been attacked with consequent casualties. Gazipur-10 and Sylhet had already paid their distressing dues.

The reaction of the government to this tragedy was bizarre. It was an excellent example of the 'ostrich syndrome' -- hide your head under the sand and pretend that nothing is wrong. The BTV, as expected, displayed its true colours, and their news coverage was an insult.

Senior ministers of the government immediately termed the attack as 'barbaric and regrettable' and promised that those who are responsible for the carnage will be captured and given 'exemplary punishment.' The government must think that the entire country is suffering from collective amnesia. They seem to have forgotten that the credibility of this present Administration has reached new lows. An European diplomat quite correctly stated that 'after each incident, the government functionaries' have 'briefed us on the government's position and expressed sincerity. It now seems that these commitments were made merely to keep us silent.'

The bell is ringing and the government needs to wake up. Repeatedly, it is being reminded not only of its inability to govern and maintain law and order, but also that it is open season as far as Awami League and its high functionaries are concerned.

On recently, Sheikh Hasina received death threats while on a visit to Turkey and most of the Administration refused to give it due attention. Recent events on 21 August, have demonstrated once again the failure of the relevant Agencies of the government in the performance of their responsibilities. How could security be compromised in such a poor manner?

The government has to understand that setting up a judicial probe and calling in the Interpol is not enough. We have seen several such judicial commissions associated with past bomb attacks and not found any results.

Instead, it might have helped if the Commission was headed by a retired Chief Justice and not a relatively junior judge. That might have lent more credibility and seriousness to the process. A retired Chief Justice could have used his past position and stature to exercise and undertake a meaningful investigative enquiry to determine who or which group is responsible for triggering such violence, and threatening the media and other political and social forces for being vocal against them.

All responsible parties within the current Administration must understand that the events of 21 August have indelibly affected the threshold and mental barriers of the political matrix in Bangladesh. Have we not had enough of killing?

The attack on the Awami League meeting on that fateful day was completely different in character and scope from other previous assaults on this Party. For the first time since 1975 and 1981, high value targets have been objects of armed attack. The political scene has also not witnessed in the past such meticulous pre-planning in targeting and multi-pronged attacks with armed forces grade weapons. It had all the hallmarks of a well-organised group trained to carry out such an assault with perverse commitment.

Not surprisingly, there are several theories and many rumours doing the rounds in Dhaka. We always have a plethora of instant pundits and they have been having a field day.

It is in this context that I need to welcome the formation of the Special Investigation Committee set up by the Supreme Court Bar Association composed of eminent lawyers. One presumes that they will be given the necessary access by all concerned in the government. One hopes that they can prepare their report swiftly, based on investigation and interviews with senior law and order officials. Report delayed is justice delayed.

For example, this Commission or any other Commission established for this purpose should immediately address themselves to finding answers as to why --

-- the police officials assigned to guard Sheikh Hasina failed to do their duty,

-- the roof-tops and other high points in the adjoining area were not guarded carefully,

-- the usual volunteers provided by Awami League during such meetings were supposedly denied access to such high points overlooking the venue,

-- police lathi charged the many when they came back to the scene to aid the wounded,

-- law and order personnel did not check everyone entering the enclosed area for hidden weapons, particularly, given repeated armed attacks on Awami League political rallies in the recent past,

-- why the unexploded grenades that were discovered in the meeting area were not carefully safeguarded as evidence, for possible finger prints, instead of being exploded,

-- armed policemen in that area could not capture even one single perpetrator of the bombing and shooting, and

-- why some of these law and order personnel have not be suspended for dereliction of duty?

The important thing that must be understood is that any report on this unfortunate incident should be completed the fastest possible without any political interference. There is also specific need for transparency and subsequent implementation of findings and recommendations with regard to how security agencies can be better resourced both in terms of manpower, training and physical infrastructure.

The government must understand that the country is being slowly pushed towards an abyss. We are now needlessly playing with fate. The saner elements need to reflect that the current format of governance must be dreadfully wrong if a child carries a poster saying that she has only one demand -- not a better life, but an assurance from the government that she will be able to eventually die of natural causes.

Thank God that she has not raised the point of burial, for event that is in short supply, and only available through 'suparish.'

Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador.