Editorial
Where are we heading?
High time the down slide is arrested
We are deeply concerned over the fast deteriorating violent political situation in the country. The clashes between the police and the opposition activists on Sunday, which quickly degenerated into bloody pitched battles, resulted in the deaths of an Awami League activist and a police sub-inspector under most unfortunate circumstances. Two precious lives have been lost for absolutely no reason whatsoever. The AL activist died after being reportedly hit by a teargas shell near Titumeer College, while the sub-inspector fell victim to the torrent of brickbats by demonstrators at Murgapara in Naryanganj.The police have been committing excesses in the process of their heavy handed handling of the opposition programmes. They are going for preemptive strikes that greatly add to the mounting tension in the street. At the same time, the demonstrators are attacking the police out of desperation. That sets stage for a showdown taking a toll of human lives and property. Sanity seems to be a lost thing amidst violence. The need for avoiding this kind of skirmishes can hardly be overemphasised. We wonder if the opposition had designated places to hold their demonstrations, then police could also announce beforehand the places that would be cordoned off? Then both sides would know their limits. It would enable the opposition to fulfill their agitation programmes, avoiding a direct confrontation with the police. As things stand now, any desperate attack invites a ruthless counterattack, want it or not. Given the law enforcers' punishing mood and the agitators' violent disposition, clashes on the streets become unavoidable. The police-people relations have become highly antagonistic, which is very much undesirable. Our appeal to the government is: please arrest the downslide. And the only way open to you is a comprehensive dialogue with the opposition. BNP Secretary General Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan has reiterated the government's invitation to the opposition for talks. And we believe that it is the only way to defuse tension and curb violence. Mr. Bhuiyan has also hinted at reconstituting the government delegation for the hitherto aborted dialogue with the opposition. The government's readiness to sit with the opposition must be reflected in its handling of the overall political situation and the opposition should rethink on the dialogue issue, both in the interest of the nation at large.
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