Editorial
Lawlessness in Brahmanbaria
All in the name of an arrested BCL leader
The mayhem that followed the arrest of former president of Brahmanbaria BCL district unit Mahmudul Haque on Sunday night severely disrupted public life in the district as his supporters clashed with law enforcers. 10 policemen and 50 people were injured in the incident. Lawlessness and chaos took over the town till Monday afternoon. Angry supporters set afire several CNG-run auto-rickshaws, blockaded several railway tracks and a highway leaving rail and road communication suspended for about five hours between Dhaka and Sylhet; Chittagong and Noakhali; and Comilla and Sylhet. Besides ordinary people who were victimized by vandalism, passengers in buses and trains had to suffer immensely.
This is another stark instance of how a students' leader with personal clout can wield such vandalizing influence on his followers in complete disregard of law and public interest. For all we know, Mahmudul has been accused in many cases and was arrested in connection with one filed against him under the speedy trial tribunal. Meanwhile, the district unit AL leaders have disowned him by declaring that the AL has no connection with him whatsoever. Furthermore, the incumbent BCL leaders brought out a procession after the incident hailing the arrest and demanding his trial. Whilst all this sounds positive, there still is a smack of in-fighting.
The police deserve a word of thanks for holding their ground after arresting him and by not yielding to the unlawful demands of his supporters to set him free. Now we expect them to follow through with the legal processes so that he can be brought to book sooner rather than later. Let Mahmudul be made an example of to deter other wayward leaders.
The BCL, students' wing of the ruling party, with their in-fighting and plundering has already done a lot to taint the image of the AL. In the present instance, however, an opportunity has come for the Brahmanbaria district unit AL leaders to prove that they stand firmly against the unruly elements of the BCL. Additionally, we expect them to co-operate with the law enforcers to restore law and order in the district.
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