Editorial
Now it's 72-hour hartal
People suffer, while 'let's-talk' joke continues
WE now have a 72-hour hartal in hand, while both the opposition leader Khaleda Zia and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina keep on assuring us that they are ready to initiate talks. We have been getting these assurances for the past weeks yet neither of the leaders was forthcoming about the specific date and time for holding such dialogue. The two leaders have been evading the issue of fixing a firm date for the talks for too long, so much so that it now borders on pure mockery. To the public in general this is as good as showing total disrespect to their concern, the threat to life and property they now face.
It may be recalled that the PM during her October 27 telephonic conversation invited the opposition leader to a dialogue on October 28. Since both still seem to be seized with the idea, it is not understandable what is stopping them from fixing a second date for holding the talks. And being in the government, the responsibility falls squarely on the ruling party, particularly the PM, to make that happen.
At this point, we are aghast at the opposition BNP's decision to call another spell of three day long hartal from next Sunday. The people have already gone through untold suffering during the past two shutdowns that stole 120 hours from their lives. We condemn this highly irresponsible and destructive decision by the opposition.
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