The Islamic militants did not hesitate to express their intentions. They spoke against Humayun Azad, they spoke against the NGO activities openly and they raised slogans against Valentine's Day celebrations in the street.

The recent government action is a departure from the policy of overlooking everything.

I hope this is not a 'donor wash' as feared by the opposition.

Referring to the recent arrests of the so-called 'Islamic Militants', I would like to put light on some points. First, a few days back the government had an investigation report on the recent bomb blasts where they told us that those had been carried out under the influence of a foreign country. However, now when the donors and so called 'Gods and Goddesses" of Bangladesh are pressurising us, Bangladesh has started to link all the bomb blast incidents with the Islamic militants. This is quite ridiculous.

However, the people of Bangladesh do understand and know who is behind this anarchy, who is pressurising Bangladesh to provide 'uninterrupted supply of gas', who is trying to take a gas pipeline over Bangladesh threatening its security, and who is creating border terror each and every day.

Muhammad Mahbubul Alam , Student of BBA North South University, Dhaka

It is often interesting how we as Bangladeshis try our best to avoid the realities surrounding our country. Eliza Griswold is being portrayed as an evil who has besmirched the name of Bangladesh among the international community. So the whole nation is not only appalled but is completely furious at what they call a misrepresentation of our country.

Remember the old article by Bertil Lintner: called "Bangladesh: A Cocoon of Terror". That article much like this current one points out that religious extremism is on the rise. Now how can we say that this is incorrect? How can we say that there is not in existence a group of people in Bangladesh who want to see it become an Islamic Nation and not the People's Republic? How can some of us speak for the other millions of people?

Fine, let us even ignore the part about Islamic terrorism. That phrase in itself has become a big agenda that gets everyone riled up and helps get a bigger audience that otherwise would be quite impossible. But, ignoring that can you deny that terrorism doesn't exist in Bangladesh? The constant bombing and assassinations of political figures, onslaught of hartals, killings whether by criminals or government forces do nothing less than infuse terror into the hearts of citizens of the country.

The Daily Star has done an excellent work in portraying in one of its weekly magazines the plight of minority women in our country. They are subjected to abuse and brutal acts to their person. Isn't this a form of terror?

Unless and until we take notice of the fact that we are amongst the most corrupt in the world, we are amongst the most poverty stricken and worse off, we have the worst form of a democratic system in our country, the situation will continue to go from worse to worst. No matter how much advancement is done in the financial arena, technological arena, no matter how much help we get for the children in terms of providing food, nothing will be truly achieved if these hartals and killings don't come to an end.

Therefore, I urge let's be honest and admit we have had terrorist activities in our country. Whether these activities are a result of religious, political or pure financial reasons we have to admit that they taking place.Ê So instead of beating up the issue of an article that may seem slanderous, why aren't we talking about issues that are more important?

Zeenat Syed, US

I would like to appreciate the steps taken by the government to repress the militancy which is showing signs of proliferation. The militants are creating anarchy by blasting bombs and launching grenade attacks all over the country in the name of Islamic revolution.

But Islam doesn't support any act of terrorism and any subversive activities. No Islamic party should be involved in killing, terrorism, bomb and grenade attacks. People from all walks of life are deeply concerned over the prevailing situation in the country. They are concerned about their safety. In this situation, the government finally banned Islamist outfits "Jagroto Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB)" and "Jamatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB)" accusing them of a series of bomb attacks and killings to create anarchy.

So it is a laudable move by the government to ensure peace and safety in the country .

Md Farhad Uddin Bhuiyan JU

Recently, there has been an alarming rise in militant activities in the name of Islam in Bangladesh. The so-called Islamic groups that are carrying out violent activities are doing these to bring about an Islamic revolution and to convert the country into an Islamic state. I would like to remind these militants as well as other readers that what they are doing is completely against Islam. Allah has mentioned in the glorious Koran, in sura 'Nahl' verse no.125 that "Invite all to the path of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation and argue with them in a way that is the best."

Islam is a complete code of life. It is compulsory for every Muslim to work hard to establish Islam in every sphere of life (personal, family, social, political). But there is no room for any kind of terrorism in this religion.

So, the militants must give up violence and work peacefully for Islam if they want to serve their religion.

Sameer Ahmed Khan Mojlish, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka