Death threats galore

We would like to know about the government's response to the series of death threats which has understandably created panic not only among the persons who received these, but also among the people in general. If well-placed people have such a sense of vulnerability, how terribly insecure ordinary people must be feeling! It speaks volumes of the state into which society has plunged due to deteriorating law and order. The lawlessness fuels all kinds of subversive activities, including issuance of death warrants by extremist elements. Even a cursory glance at the hit-list reveals that the targets are by and large people having progressive outlook and liberal views.

Regrettably, such threats are not taken seriously until they are converted into gruesome killings. There is absolutely no way we can take things lightly. The recent deaths of two journalists in Khulna should leave no one in doubt that threats can be executed.

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The prime minister's reaction to the purported death threat against the leader of the opposition smacked of casualness suggesting that it was not believed to be credible. It has been even stated that an investigation into the matter had failed to establish its veracity. But the summary rejectionist attitude was not expected of the government, only because the threats bode a highly unstable condition, particularly in terms of the already confrontational state of politics in the country. Matters have been made worse by the fact that none of the bomb attacks or assassination cases has been solved so far, far less any conviction handed out.

So it follows that the government must act preemptively without waiting for people to fall victim to the assassins' bullet. A quick response is needed since the lives of such a large number of prominent citizens are at stake. The imperative for surveillance should not be downscaled simply because the vulnerability involves some opposition political figures.