A fell stroke of endless impunity

Our consternation is absolute in the realisation that the dastardly political assault was just waiting to happen. Security vigil, far less precautionary arrangement, on the part of the local administrative or police authorities, was evidently not in place. A public meeting scheduled by the opposition has a lower security priority. In truth, whatever police presence might be observed at an opposition rally happened to be motivated mostly by a concern to hold the opposition in check rather than to provide a security ring around its leaders and followers.

What's particularly noticeable after each grenade attack on a public rally is the ease with which the perpetrators flee the scene. In the latest case, somebody was seen riding out of the scene unchallenged by the police at any point. There was also a temporary power black-out prior to grenade throwing to be apprehensive about. The point is, with the exception of suicide bombers, those who physically hurl a bomb at a public meeting or fire a bullet to assassinate somebody would be arrested as it had happened in some other countries. Noticeably not so in our context.

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But principally it is the track-record of failed investigations into the 15 major explosions that have taken place since the grenade assault on Udichi in 1999 that made the 16th attack at Habiganj look inevitable.

The blame-game played by the ruling and opposition parties after each bombing incident tended to politicise the investigation with a ruling party slant even before it got off to a start, thus, in effect, predisposing its failed or hollow outcome. The mindset with the ruling party can get so prejudiced that even where opposition elements would be victims the finger might get pointed to them.

The resulting sense of impunity instilled in the minds of the extremists could only encourage them to go for more.

Honestly, as for the investigations, we are still unaware of the findings of Interpol, Scotland Yard or FBI, or of their suggestions, if any, to avert recurrence of bombing incidents.

Shah AMS Kibria has been a martyr at the altar of political extremism of the most heinous type. In his departure, we have lost a highly respected technocrat-turned political leader of great abilities and sterling qualities of consistency, grit, commitment and dedication to ideals. We held him in great esteem for his columns in our paper. The void he has left would be difficult to fill. May his soul rest in peace. We express our deepest condolences to the members of his family in the full knowledge that nothing can adequately solace their sense of loss.