Attack on UK High Commissioner

. PHOTO: AFP

We are peace loving and inclined to respect all religions. But some vicious circles, invigorated with the zeal of so called 'Jihad', are carrying out brutal experiments. It seems the government is hardly aware of the consequences of such acts.

It must strongly resist the forces behind those heinous acts.

G Ahmed Dhaka

It was an unpardonable, cowardly and barbaric attack on Sylhet people in particular and on all Bangladeshis in general. This has been a savage attempt to destabilise our beloved homeland.

We all in Bangladesh were so happy to know that a Sylhet born Bangladeshi, Mr Anwar Chowdhury, was going to head the British diplomatic mission in Bangladesh and were full of pride to see him speaking with journalists of Dhaka on TV channels, smiling and full of love and respect for the country where he was born and spent his early years. We take this dastardly act as an attack on our own selves. We have seen for some time that an orchestrated and planned conspiracy is being hatched to damage this country's image as a moderate Muslim nation. This is part of a dirty game being played by unpatriotic elements hidden in our society. Time will unmask the ugly faces of those cowards who are behind such attacks. We want the government to identify and punish the attackers.

For the HC and those who suffered, we pray to the Almighty Allah for their early recovery. We pray for their near and dear ones to have the strength to bear this pain. We hope H.E will be able to join his office very soon.

Mahbub Dhaka

A few weeks ago, I witnessed the extraordinary interview of H.E. Anwar Chowdhury, the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, in BBC World. Mr. Chowdhury, basically a technocrat, rose to this coveted diplomatic Position, and that is not only an acknowledgement of the services of the ethnic minority community in Britain, but also a recognition of a Bangladeshi Muslim on foreign soil . Undoubtedly, it is a matter of pride for us and particularly for the people of his homeland in greater Sylhet. But then, no sooner he arrived in Bangladesh, he has been greeted with bombs! Do we have any say?

Relations between Bangladesh and Britain are deep rooted, both historically and culturally. Nearly half a million Bangladeshi immigrants have settled in the UK and that reflects the bondage and recognition of dependable bilateral ties. The UK is the key development partner of Bangladesh contributing some 80 million pounds per annum to our development sector. At this point of time, British investment in Bangladesh is nearly one billion pounds or so. British investments in this country both in government and corporate sectors are manifold; namely oil and natural gas, poverty eradication, agriculture and seafood products, power generation, industrial infrastructure support and so on and so forth. The multinational corporate and banking establishments in Bangladesh with British patrons deserve all words of appreciation for creating global standard opportunities at home. Even the world famous chef, Tomy Miah, is a flag bearer of this country in the UK.

Having said that, the tragic incident leaves a few points to seriously ponder. The protocol matters, particularly the physical safety and security of foreign diplomats, warrant thoughtful review. The image of the country, once again at home and beyond would be making news; the initiatives of diplomatic missions, the donor/development agencies and the foreign corporate communities perhaps would focus on the issue of safer environment in the country once again. We deeply denounce the incident and sincerely plead to bring the culprits to justice without further delay.

Mr. Chowdhury is not only a respectable diplomat with a noble vision and commitment towards the development of this country; he is a son of this soil as well.

Fahmeena Nahas, Altaf Villa, Amberkhana, Sylhet

There was a bomb blast at the Dargah of Hajrat Shahjalal (R) right after Jumma prayers killing three people (so far) and injuring many others. The newly appointed British High Commissioner in Bangladesh and the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet were among the injured.

This is the second time a bomb has been exploded at the Dargah, the first time being during the Urs of Hajrat Shahjalal (R).

If the government had taken steps to nab the criminals on that occasion, this mishap would not have happened.

What is our government really doing? Why can't it curb terrorism? Who are these terrorists? Till today the killers of Ahsanullah Master MP and the innocent schoolboy have not been arrested. Why?

Whenever we open the newspapers there is news of killing, rape, acid burns, abduction or extortion. Why is happening? Why can't the government control crime?

We, the ordinary citizens of Bangladesh, are frustrated.

Stop this senseless killing! Stop terrorism! Bangladesh did not become independent for its people to become hostage in the hands of goons and killers!

Mallik Akram Hossain Hong Kong

The new British High Commissioner in Dhaka, Anwar Choudhury, the DC of Sylhet, Abul Hossain, and more than 50 people were injured in a powerful bomb blast at Hazrat Shahjalal mazar gate after Juma prayers on Friday. Three people died in the attack. Mr Choudhury told the AFP news agency from hospital in Sylhet: "The bomb hit my stomach after it was hurled, but did not explode" (BBC online, 21 May, 2004). Mr. Chowdhury went to Sylhet on a three day visit.

In February this year, five people were killed when bombs exploded at a religious gathering at the same mazar premises. Over the years, bomb attacks in religious places, cultural functions and political gathering have killed more than one hundred and injured scores of people in Bangladesh. Killing people in our country is not a difficult task. Political parties give shelter to the killers.

This heinous attack would send wrong signals! The attack on the British High Commissioner will have a negative impact on the image of Bangladesh. Lawlessness coupled with the emergence of the Muslim militants such as Jagrata Muslim Janata in the northern region must not be overlooked. The government's initiatives to halt these criminal activities have been futile. To regain our country's image, we must work together against the disruptive elements.

Jamaluddin Ahmed, Dhaka

Back in January, there was an explosion at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R), which killed three people, but the government did not take any tough action, not a single person was arrested. If we look further back, in Khulna eight persons were killed in October 1999 in an attack on an Ahmadiyya mosque, but no one was arrested.

Now we see, as the government does not take any action against the extremists, they have gone to the extent of making an attempt on the life of a foreign dignitary.

Nur Jahan, Chittagong

We are deeply shocked and condemn the bomb blast in which the new British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury was injured. It is a miracle that he is now out of danger . We thank the Almighty Allah.

The incident happened at the mazar of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) in Sylhet in which three people died and almost one hundred people have been injured, many of them are in critical condition.

We are very upset at this happening. Who are behind this and what could be their motive? The government must act fast and leave no stone unturned to catch the criminals and give them exemplary punishment.

The Awami League did not waste any time to blame the government. It blamed the government for patronising the extremist elements. During the AL regime, many bomb blasts took place. The AL used to blame the BNP for those attacks, now they are blaming the four-party alliance government for it. Doesn't it sound most unreasonable? We urge the opposition to shun this attitude. This bickering is helping the miscreants. They should come forward and join hands with the government to unravel the mystery.