Rupsha Bridge

It is obviously not easy to conclude that the foreigners have nothing to fear, particularly when we have witnessed a series of criminal activities perpetrated by the political extremists in recent times. Equally worrying is the fact that toll collection has become a regular business for a large number of anti-social elements across the country. So, the complaints lodged by the bridge builders deserve a patient hearing.

Extortion, and the tactics often resorted to for carrying on the illegal business, has already had a crippling effect on trade and commerce. Now, it is obvious that even construction of infrastructure facilities is not being spared by the organised criminals. The presence of the law enforcers has become so feeble that people can hardly rely on their services. In most cases the victims try to strike some sort of deal with the extortionists.

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The result has of course been disastrous. An almost parallel economy has grown out of the extortionists' clout, as the law enforcers have failed miserably to curb their illegal activities.

But this is not an issue that can be conveniently ignored by the policy-makers. Since the foreigners working for an infrastructure project have been targeted, the law enforcers have to go flat-out to crush the elements harassing or intimidating them.

The incidents like the one reported from Khulna can send damaging signals to all concerned. It's time the policy-makers realised that lawlessness could deal fatal blows to development.