Grenade and bomb attack: Worst political terrorism

Rab personnel picking up grenade splinters from Baidder Bazar site: Seeking clue to the carnage?. PHOTO: Star File Photo

The attack on Awami League and their allied organisations have increased significantly during the tenure of the present government of BNP led four-party alliance. But the two particular attacks on August-21 and most recent January 27 have added an immeasurable dimension to the dirty culture of political vendetta in our country. These two particular attacks have struck the whole nation with awe and also have outraged the world conscience. What the people of this country have witnessed on August 21 and January 27, may have a lasting impact on the course of politics in Bangladesh and also determine whether we will shrink back to the dark age of terrorism and violence or make amends to shape our future in the light of civilised democratic norms.

Very recently, terrorists hurled bombs at the tent of the folk opera in two remote villages in Bogra and Natore in the early hours on January 15. At least two persons were killed and 60 others injured. Earlier on December 22, criminals hurled three bombs on a musical soiree and stage show in Bogra leaving 15 people injured. Bomb attacks on two cultural functions in Jamalpur and Sherpur districts on January 12 left at least 35 people injured. A recent news paper report said that, at least 148 people have so far been killed in 18 major incidents of bomb and grenade attacks in the country since March 1999.

The present government as well as its predecessor came to power with firm pledges to wipe out terrorism from the country. Surprisingly, none but one of the cases of bomb blasts and grenade attacks have had a charge-sheet submitted to the court by the police, despite occurrence of as many as 18 major bomb and grenade attacks across the country killing 148 people and injuring hundreds of others. The investigation in rest of the cases seems to have made no progress as yet. Such a failure to deal firmly with the earlier incidents of bomb and grenade attacks seems to have emboldened these fiends to go on with their terrorism. Every concerned citizen now fears about where Bangladesh is heading for, as one by one Awami League leaders are falling victims to political terrorism. The ambassadors of the European Union's diplomatic missions in Dhaka also observed that failure to investigate previous grenade and bomb attacks has created an anarchic situation. They expressed their observation in a joint statement issued on January 28.

It is learnt from the media report that terrorists, who carried out last year's grenade attacks on the Awami League rally at B.B. Avenue, Dhaka and on British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Chowdhury in Sylhet, used the same Arges brand grenade on the Awami League rally at Boidder Bazar in Habiganj. After inspecting the spot and examining the pieces of evidence, a bomb squad of Rapid Action Battalion identified the grenades. It reveals that an organized gang of terrorist has been mounting the attacks one after another, and at least half a dozen of country's intelligence agencies have miserably failed to nab a single perpetrator even with the help of Interpol and FBI experts! It is now for the government, if it means to assert control over the country with the authority vested in by the people, to take appropriate step to wipe out this political terrorism from the society.

As it appears from the repeated wave of violent activities, the country is now in the grip of political terrorism. Politically motivated violence has been used through ages. Violence is a general term to describe behaviour, usually deliberate, that causes or intends to cause harm to people. Politically motivated violence is commonly referred to actions against others with the intended purpose of effecting a change. It has been said that violence is the last option of a desperate man. Are we as a nation in such a desperation?

Of all terrorist offences in Bangladesh, the grenade attacks on Awami League rally on August 21 and on January 27 undoubtedly were among the most heinous crimes against humanity. The criminals have been playing duck and drake with the lives of the innocent general people taking opportunity of the feud between the two major political parties and their tendency to blame each other for any such turmoil. It is really very unfortunate for the nation that whenever there is any terrorist bomb blast or grenade attack the government and the main opposition party accuse each other and the heinous crimes could not be unearthed and the terrorists can make their way to escape.

Taking the whole thing into consideration, one must say that it has become imperative on the part of the government to find out the actual reason behind these heinous grenade attacks on Awami League rallies. And the government should be utmost sincere in identifying those responsible for the incidents and round-up the real perpetrators. We think that the government should have a strong will and commitment to eliminate political terrorism from the country without pointing finger to the opposition leaders. The government owes it to the people of the country to take real deterrent measures to put a stop to terrorism. The opposition leaders should also extend their all-out cooperation for finding the truth giving up the blame game. Now it is the time for all the political parties to get together to safeguard the country against the machination of the terrorists.

A N M Nurul Haque is a banker.