It has touched a new low

It goes to show that some elements in the student wing of the ruling party have turned truly delinquent and are now acting like criminals. This cannot be explained without a reference to their perceived sense of power. They must have felt that they were above the law, probably banking on some kind of "immunity" hoping to get away with their JCD label.

Fortunately, the law took its natural course in this particular instance. The police arrested the two muggers setting an example of acting professionally, and without fear. We want more of such action since crime cannot be contained if political clout gets the better of the power of the enforcement system.

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The two arrested youths are very likely to be disowned by the organisation that they supposedly belonged to. But that will not solve the problem. Yes, they will have to be punished, but the only way to solve the problem enduringly -- if the BNP high-ups are really interested in blotting out criminality having a direct link to politics -- is to keep a tab on the activities of JCD adherents in different organisations and weed the criminals out.

Thugs are thugs; if they are not exorcised, they will act not only as image spoilers but will also cause incalculable damage to the ruling party. The party high command has to deal with them with an iron hand. They must not be oblivious of the pitfall associated with some of their supporters turning desperadoes. They might turn into a Frankenstein if the reports of JCD boys crossing the limits of lawful activities are not acted upon in the greater interest of BNP.