Bomb blasts and Bangladesh's woes

What is perplexing is that none of these cases has been solved yet. Even more worrisome aspect of the issue is that both the major political parties have pointed their accusing fingers and blamed each other for these heinous crimes. Others have pointed their fingers at the radical religious elements while some have suggested that these acts were designed to create a condition of flux internally, with ulterior motives.

Since none of the investigations, starting from the Udichi explosion to the one at the same site in Sylhet in January this year has reached any definitive conclusions, it is difficult to pinpoint the perpetrators of the crimes, their affiliations and motivations. What one comes across in the press regarding the identity of these people are good guesses at best.

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So far, analysts had taken comfort in the fact that Bangladesh was fortunate not to be thrown into the vortex of what can be described as classical terrorism, the likes of which are being experienced by both India and Pakistan and was till recently prevalent in Sri Lanka. What we had been exposed to so far were incidents where the criminals and the extremists resorted to tactics of terror to pursue their parochial aims. One did not discern any particular political motivation (as we understand by the meaning of the term relative to the known terrorist groups) in the violence that was perpetrated in all these instances, so far. While this speculation may still hold true, the fourteen incidents over the last five years not only create a sense of despair, their timings and targets raise some serious issues.

It would perhaps not be inappropriate to ask why none of the cases has been resolved yet or, if resolved why have the reports not seen the light of the day, nor would it be amiss on our part to venture some explanations in this regard.

First and foremost why these cases have resisted resolution is perhaps due to the lack or the flimsy nature of evidence, which failed to provide adequate clue or appropriate lead to build up a solid case. Coupled with this is the lack of experience and expertise of the investigating officers as well as lack of database. By some accounts, many of the physical evidence that are gathered either degrade over time, primarily due to the way these are preserved or are lost track of, cynics suggest, deliberately.

One cannot make too much of the importance of expertise and technological support in a successful investigation. There are instances where a single strand of human hair or a seemingly innocuous footmark has led to unraveling of a long unresolved mystery.

Sophisticated technology and broad database have successfully traced the culprits of the recent Madrid bomb blast.

Perhaps the most disconcerting aspect of the whole issue of investigation and probe is the undue pressure, both political and extraneous, that is brought to bear upon the police. Consequently the cases get diluted, either due to tampering of evidence, or there is a lackadaisical attitude towards the probe. The matter of political pressure is borne out by the recent directive of the State Minister for Home to the high-ranking police officials that they should not concern themselves with finding political links of the crimes committed but investigate those objectively, without, fear, favour or regard for party affiliations. Intelligence agencies have been quoted as saying that they were unable to pursue militant links of some of the explosions due to pressure from government high-ups.

The next question that comes to mind is who are the perpetrators of these crimes?

Possibilities of radical religious elements causing the explosions bear strong rationale. Of late there has been evolution of groups with religious hues bearing close links with external religious elements trying to gain footholds in the political arena.

The imperious conduct of Bangla Bhai is one such instance. The latest attack in Sylhet may be an expression of resentment against the current UK-US actions in Iraq.

Another possibility that merits attention is the work of elements hostile to the government, who might have resorted to this means to foment political unrest within the country. This element may or may not be foreign inspired or externally instigated. However, no one can say with certainty which of these elements is responsible for this explosion or indeed for all the explosions that have occurred in the past.

It is felt that there must be a deliberate plan for capacity building in respect of investigations and crime control. In view of the recent developments, particularly post September 11, the intelligence agencies must focus and acquire expertise on counter terror intelligence along with their counterintelligence capabilities.

The government must pursue these cases most vigorously. Where need be, and the need is now, it should seek expert assistance from outside to get at the bottom of these cases. The negative fallout of the failure to unearth the perpetrators will breed further speculations resulting in further mutual recriminations.

These incidents are too serious to be commented upon perfunctorily. Unfounded utterances not only influence the investigations adversely, they also trivialise the matter and desecrate those that have lost their lives in these incidents.

The author is Editor, Defence and Strategic affairs, The Daily Star