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PM's interview

2 May 2006, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By AH Dewan South Kafrul, Dhaka Cantt., Dhaka
2 May 2006, 18:00 PM
The PM's recent interview with the Time quoted her saying, "We did not know they were there. After the August 17 bomb blasts we know. And we cracked down on them." It drew attention of the citizens making it the talk of the town and there is a surfeit of write-ups, letters in the DS and other dailies. And so we have had a pungent but scintillating review by Shahedul Anam Khan (Rtd. Brig. General) in his article (DS April 13) "Neither is ignorance bliss, nor is it folly to be wise." Though the article leaves no room for others to add further, I could not help saying that I was shocked by the interview. The rise of Islamic militants and their nefarious activities had been the talk of the country since long before the August showdown by the militants. And when the media's relentless reports could not be dismissed the PM was reported to have ordered arrest of Bangla Bhai. This was long before the August incident that struck the nation dumbfounded and was perceived disastrous for the nation's security.

Even after the August incident, not to mince matters, the government did not relish to go for a crackdown. The nation also witnessed and swallowed that in bewilderment. Till then Rab, the elite force, was not ordered to bust the dens of the militants, though there were some arrests made in a passive manner. Only when the lives of two judges at Jhalakhati were snuffed out and the suicide squads perpetrated carnages at court premises of Gazipur, Chittagong and Netrokona did the government feel it imperative to crack down on the militants. Had there been any crackdown in the wake of bomb blasts, the nation would not lose so many innocent lives.

While addressing a public meeting in Noakhali on 6tApril, the PM snubbed the opposition for demanding reforms to the EC by questioning why the AL did not go for the same while in power. Can she elude people or divert their attention by blaming the opposition alone?

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The people are grounded by price spirals; soured to death by load-shedding; terrorised by ruling party cadres; and are scared that many of the Islamic militants are still at large. They are crushed in the jaws of abysmal corruption, and deficiencies and anomalies. The government needs to come to terms with itself that blowing its own trumpet will cut no ice as people cannot be fooled for all times. So please find out how the wind blows and take stock of the whole situation earnestly 'calling the spade a spade' and deliver to better the situation before you behold many and many more Kansats.