Don't let politics contaminate investigation

For instance, traces of a tripod linkage between the leaflet swearing Islamic rule, Jamaatul Mujahideen as its author and Galib and his ilk as the redoubtable beneficiary have surfaced going mainly by the version of the detainees in Satkhira. Whether this was an entirely homegrown plot or had an external inspiration behind it is a hypothesis that too is being looked into. What is crucial to note is that those who have been under interrogation were front men operatives merely carrying out orders as though under a hypnotic extremist spell they had embraced unquestioningly. So, the challenge is now to find out the plotters, organisers, financiers and choreographers of the unprecedented terrorising episode.

When the investigations are seemingly on course, and the unaddressed list of agendas so stupendous, its downright counter-productive that senior ruling party leaders and cabinet members are making finger-pointing statements of all kinds bringing divisive politics to bear on any professional investigation process. Even before the investigation had begun, BNP secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan remarked that those who were trying to topple the BNP-led coalition government were behind the bombings. And, the latest from him is a political treat; in an obvious pointer to the Awami League he said: "You cannot hide your bomabaji (the practice of bombing) behind hartal.

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The opposition leader Sheikh Hasina has, for her part, blamed the ruling party and the administration for the bombings wondering how such an enormous exercise could be undertaken without their knowledge.

Notably, what the senior BNP leaders are saying actually go to contradict the initial findings of the investigation. At this time, it is central to a useful probe that no more irresponsible utterances are made by people in power. If this is not done then the only deduction we can make is that a motive is at play to subvert the process of investigation. We have seen in the past how government agencies -- the police and investigative and intelligence apparatuses have been used in the interest of the government and the ruling party and not in the overriding interest of the state and that of independent and professional investigations. So, we say, please, strengthen the hands of the investigators -- for a change.

Playing politics with investigations into the previous bombing incidents allowed the real culprits to slip through the fingers. Had it not happened, August 17 might well have been avoided. And if there is a repeat of the same this time around, be sure, the same is destined to happen.

Turning to the opposition, let's say this, just insist on neutral investigation.

The crisis is too big to politicise; for it involves national security.