Living in Bangladesh

By Sumon,Dhaka
5 September 2004, 18:00 PM
Sometimes some news items leave me wondering what kind of a country I live in! A Pakistani citizen with his BNP sidekicks allegedly attacked the members of the eight Hindu families at Adam Sarkerpara village under Pirgachha upazila in the district of Rangpur. The bandits torched 22 houses of Hindus, injured 20 villagers, and looted their cash, crops, and cattle.

The victims are still living under the open sky while the "desperate" attempt by the police to nab the "absconding" criminal is proving futile as usual. The extremist elements are also targeting the Ahmadiyya community. Bangla Bhais are murdering and maiming people in the name of religion, and at the same time BNP cadres are barring people even from attending Janaza prayers. Clandestine training grounds for militants are thriving with new recruits. Anyone divulging such news risks being on the hit list.

Bombs used in the battle field are easily available to the ever increasing militant outfits.

Yes, we do have a government. It consists of self-declared war criminals, alleged arms smugglers, bigots directly aiding the religious fanatics, and so on. The PM seems not to be aware of what is going on. She even made fun of the death threat issued to the opposition leader at Ankara.

The indifference to party members and coalition cadres has gone too far. Is she really in control? Maybe she will have to pay the price for the deeds of her partners. Is she ready for it?