But death natural becomes unnatural when it is untimely and when it is sudden. Lot of people meet death and birth every second, minute and hour, but remains unheard and unsung. People of excellence, merit are made to be known to the people as dead, whether they die naturally or unnaturally. SAMS Kibria was a man of merit and a government servant of excellence. He held different high positions and brought name and fame to this country. He was a bureaucrat who later on turned himself into a politician. He worked for his country both at home and abroad. As an ordinary citizen he lived his life but as an extraordinary man he did not outlive his utility.

He joined politics as a bureaucrat turned politician, may be following the path of a small number of people. Whether he enriched politics or politics enriched him is a question which remains unanswered.

It is a tragedy for this nation that it had to lose the man of excellence whose contribution to this country will be remembered with reverence. May Allah bless his departed soul and give this nation enough strength to bear this irreparable loss.

It seems to corroborate our opposition leader's long time claim to cleansing of opposition leaders. The apparent indifference, especially on the part of the government, seems to promote this deep-rooted belief within general public and civil society.

This is red alert time for the government, either it must take substantial and decisive steps against these concealed perpetrators, or else, it may have to face severe consequences in the near future. The post Jan 27 actions of the government must not resemble the post August 21 ones.

There will be no condoning of the government if it fails to bring the criminals to justice.

Zahedul Amin Malibagh, Dhaka

The killing of SAMS Kibria is not only killing of a former finance minister or an Awami League leader but it is also the killing of one of the country's top diplomats. I am shocked and outraged at this bloody crime.

Mr. Kibria was one of Bangladesh's key international figures. He was an under-secretary general of the United Nations and the chief of ESCAP. He was one of the country's very few honest politicians and was a perfect gentleman.

This killing demonstrates how weak our democracy is. Things like this would never happen in a true democracy. There must be an independent investigation and its report must be made PUBLIC.

Md. Umran Bin Kamran Chowdhury Gulshan, Dhaka