Editorial
Restore confidence of minorities
The government must act decisively
IT is does not speak much for the state of people's security when a segment of the society continues to come under attack and have their houses and places of worship vandalised by miscreants. The troublesome aspect of the matter is that the attacks have gone on with the administration unable to anticipate these attacks, although a large number of people have been arrested in connection with these incidents.
Reportedly, in the last three weeks since Delwar Sayedee's verdict was announced on February 28, Hindus in 32 districts have been subjected to violence. And although in some places Jamaat-Shibir has been directly blamed by eyewitnesses, victims and the police, they have denied having to do anything with the violence perpetrated on the Hindus. In other places the victims have been unwilling to name the perpetrators for fear of further violence in future.
For us it is difficult to believe any argument that suggests otherwise, given that these attacks commenced no sooner than the ICT delivered death sentence on Sayedee. No doubt there are people who would want to vitiate the internal situation to reap benefits. And for these people, targeting minorities is a suitable device to have the government and the country painted in poor light. And if these attacks cause a ripple effect across the border, it would be so much the better for them.
We understand that the police had adequate intelligence to suggest that something like this might happen. However, it is not the time to lay blame, although the government should enquire if there were indeed any lapses on the part of any agency, but act quickly to prevent further attacks. In this regard the police must devise appropriate measures to ensure that.
We feel that, side by side the government efforts, it would require the participation of the common people to mount vigil in areas that are sensitive in order to preempt such provocative acts. We also suggest all those arrested on allegations of destroying Hindu property must be tried in the Speedy Trial courts and given exemplary punishments. The confidence of the minorities must be restored quickly and at any cost.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments