Jamaat MPs' stand on Aug 17

Let's place the issue in its right perspective. Those convinced that the JMB or any such fanatic group was not involved in extremist acts are either living in a fool's paradise or refusing to accept the facts that are emerging on a daily basis. It's a matter of grave concern that the Jamaat's rebuttal came on the floor of the House by way of what appears to be a counter-offensive to prove the intelligence reports wrong.

The Jamaat is supposed to have the political grasp and awareness needed to see through the situation arising out of the countrywide bombings. So we can't believe that it is being naive to conclude that there was no involvement of Islamic extremists in the bomb attacks. The only deduction that one can draw from the two Jamaat MPs' statement, therefore, is that they were trying to blur the picture and mislead people on the bombings. That's not responsible politics. The party has also sent a cautionary note to the government by advising it to refrain from arresting bearded people using caps.

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To the government's credit, we must say it has been very careful about and sensitive to the issue. Now, it must not allow any party or individual to make any attempt to derail the investigation into the bomb attacks. The grave threat that the militants pose to national security must be countered effectively. Here we can ill afford to consider how a party or some parties are affected by the direction of the investigation and the resultant digging out of truths that might not be palatable to all parties. Not only that JMB is very much involved, facts are increasingly coming to light that link Jamaat and JMB. Far too frequently it is turning out that JMB members were integral part of Jamaat at some early date. JMB members were, in many areas, former activists of Jamaat. We strongly suggest that government investigate the possible links. The Jamaat is trying to ignore the findings of the intelligence agencies without substantiating their claims to the contrary. It is a clear case of politics getting the better of our security needs.