Continued operation against BNP

FIRST the BNP Chairperson was confined in her office, and continues to be so. And she was denied her fundamental rights of free movement and assembly. And now the acting GS of the party has been taken into custody, we do not know on what grounds. We find it absolutely unacceptable and condemnable. Yesterday, in this very column we had opined that Khaleda Zia has been wronged and we reiterate that position. However, by calling indefinite blockade Khaleda Zia is doing a wrong to the country; blockade will hurt the economy severely.

We understand the frustration of the BNP chairperson, being incarcerated for more than 72 hours and being prevented to leave her Gulshan office. We fully sympathise with her state of mind and we have made our position amply clear on the shrinking of political space for her party and have expressed our support for her position. In this regard the prime minister's speech to the nation on Monday was disappointing in as much as it failed to address the issue of muzzling of the opposition's voice that is pushing the opposition gradually against the wall. The government policy will serve no useful purpose and might indeed prove self defeating.

However, we feel that the announcement of blockade lacks rationale. We are not quite sure what 'blockade' really implies. However, it will certainly inconvenience the man on the streets as we have seen happen with the virtual blockade imposed by the government on January 5. And given the proclivities of the mischief mongers we cannot write off the possibility of their indulging in all sorts of mischief, even sabotage activities. Blockade is a bad idea and should be withdrawn immediately.