Another Kansat!

The search for percentage perhaps started when the BNP-led govt cancelled the power proposal finalised by the preceding AL govt. There was no "percentage" allegedly available to them so it had to be cancelled despite donors' finance being approved! Was BNP annoyed that all percentage was gone between the AL and the "donors"? There is no logic otherwise to cancel a viable proposal! Would the "powerless" Power Minister give a logical response?

Now lack of power has led to lack of water. Meanwhile the BNP parliament member is planning another "Kansat" in Demra! (DS: 6 May). Is the BNP so jaundiced that it is looking for "AL" everywhere? Unfortunately BNP Demra MP sees no shortage of power and water, as stated in your Staff Correspondent's item (May 6) on the matter. May be the hierarchy has gone deaf, dumb and blind! How many citizens have to loose their lives to realise a logical and reasonable demand for power and water and abused like the mother who was mercilessly beaten escorting her school going son at Dhanmondi?

The violent insurrection at Shanir Akhra in demand of water and power supply by the locals has traumatised the peace-loving denizens of the city. Although, I usually do not oppose any passive demonstration, which justifiably aims to meet people's demands, I couldn't help regretting the devastation of properties and assaults on innocent people by the enraged mobs. I think it's quite easy to agitate the general public in a country like Bangladesh, where we gravely lack sufficient resources to meet all the earthly needs of the massive population. As a consequence, it's relatively easier in this country to become successful demagogues, who are adept in inciting the poverty-stricken multitudes to disrupt the law and order through riotous anarchy.

Political factions also play their crucial roles, which are constantly eager to inspire the public to interpret any crisis in a way that must benefit their respective political aspirations. For example, according to the opposition any trivial crisis is an evident sign of the complete failure of the government. On the other hand, the ruling party never fails to censure the opposition even when the origin of the dilemma has nothing to do with them. As a matter of fact, the social hindrances that our country has confronted in the recent time definitively illustrated the very nature of our political groups. Now it's imperative that they must be prudent enough to envisage the 'democratic future' of the nation in the light of their self-destructive deficiencies.

KH. Asef Safa Kabir , Lalmatia, Dhaka

7th April television and 8th April most newspaper headline was "Sanir Akhra turns into battlefield" for demand of water and electricity by local people. They fought pitch-battle with police and later with BNP supporters.

Public fury erupted only when the local lawmaker appeared at the spot and suddenly slapped an old man and ordered police to fire and baton charge. People turned more violent for his unscrupulous behaviour. Earlier people staged procession and laid siege to Dhaka-Chittagong highway. A lawmaker should not show such unruly attitude.

In the recent past we witnessed the Kansat tragedy. However, here the metropolitan father tackled the situation apparently giving lip service to people. It would not have happened this way if Salauddin had tried to implement his pre-election pledge.

Lawmaker Salauddin known to his local people as pompous and inconsiderate, perhaps thought his constituency's people are docile but the reality was different. He gives short shrift even to union council chairman.

Lawmaker Salauddin owns a few filling and CNG station, set to start new TV channel, reportedly bought luxury apartment in USA, is bandied about in locality. BNP high command should contain his temper.

An aggrieved citizen, Demra, Dhaka

We got another Kansat in Shonir Akhra on 5th May. The outrage of Kansat got burst in Shonir Akhra. The insufferable condition of people turned Shonir Akhra into a battlefield when they came up with their demand of water. Even they did not fear to stand against police and army. Their commotion was so furious that authority and local MP could not solace them. In Shonir Akhra we have seen how people are deprived of their fundamental rights. Not only Shonir Akhra, when the whole country is facing huge shortage of power supply, we may get a number of Shonir Akhra all around the country in future if it remains unmitigated. The condition of Shonir Akhra has given birth to the question, how much our government is willing to solve such kind of problems?

Virtually, when the common people are confronting of such problems there may break out such kind of rebellion. Government's inability, mismanagement, and corruption have given birth to such kind of miserable situation. On the otherhand, we have not seen government's will to solve such miserable conditions of common folk. If they did so, we would not have faced such kind of abominable situation repeatedly. To get ride of these problems government have to take some immediate actions like:

* establish more water pumps,

* keep WASA and DESA free from mismanagement,

* activate Water Ministry appropriately,

* improve the condition of rivers,

* control extravagant use (wastage) of water,

* ensure power supply properly to water pumps.

Abu Bakar, Rupnagar R/A, Mirpur, Dhaka

How much ferocious and rebellious can be the general populace, being deprived of their rights and demands, the 'battle field' at Shonir Akhra in Demra is real evidence. We know the whole city is experiencing the massive shortage of power supply. The life of citizens is but confronting the dreadful threat of becoming standstill because every aspect of their daily activities is prohibited due to shortage of power and water. To get relief from such insufferable situation the general people of Shonir Akhra raised their voice against the authority like the people of Kansat. Their demands are so much mighty and genuine that the police and army men could not console them, even they did not hesitate to attack their local leader. However, Shonir Akhra is one of the parts of our capital city, if the government does not try to overcome this shortage very soon then there and also elsewhere such situation will emerge again and again .

I think, the government has to take some effectual and long-term policy to ensure proper supply of power and water. We should have highest allocation to power sector .

We need some efficient agreements with India for proper distribution of water in dry season .

We have to establish more water treatment plants to increase the potable water supply .

Mehedi, BUBT, Mirpur, Dhaka

Power shortage has become acute in recent time and we have seen two unfortunate incidents at Kansat and Sonir Akhra. But it seems that nobody has any solution to this power problem. I have a humble suggestion regarding this. I have heard that many countries like Singapore, UAE, and Pakistan are applying daylight saving method; in the system people advance their clocks by one hour so that they can use that extra daylight hour to their advantage and save valuable electricity. If we can implement this system in Bangladesh I am sure we can save a good amount of electricity because then people will start their day an hour earlier and finish their work one hour earlier. I think we should seriously ponder on this suggestion.

Mohammed Sohel Hara, Topkhana Road, Dhaka