Fanatics at work

It has long term implications for society and the nation at large. These subversive elements must not be allowed to continue their carnage aimed at destruction of communal harmony in the country. I would like to place before the government and law enforcing agencies some of my thoughts regarding the issue:

1. I believe that the two incidents, the one at Banshkhali and the attacks on the mosque, are well-orchestrated acts of vandalism and should not be viewed in isolation.

2. I feel strongly that the government's lack of vigilance and poor track record of bringing the culprits to book on similar occasions in the past have strengthened the hands of the criminals involved in such heinous acts.

3. People who support such acts have nothing to do with our religion, Islam. They are causing grievous harm to Islam and its followers.

4. One should look towards Pakistan. The root cause behind terrorism in Pakistan lies in the failure to curb such acts at the initial stage.

5. With the hunting down of the extremist elements in Pakistan and other countries like Indonesia, it is most likely that they would choose Bangladesh to continue their activities.

Finally, I feel that the government and the law enforcing agencies are treating such incidents as routine criminal acts. That might promote the hidden agenda of the religious fundamentalists in Bangladesh. Believe me, I hope and pray that I am wrong in my apprehensions, or else 'this' will be a severe blow to society.