We must unite to face the challenge

Those responsible for bomb attacks are, as it appears, being hired by some quarters who have a long term conspiracy against the country. The agenda of the masterminds seems to project Bangladesh in the words of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as an "international basket case.

With the passage of time, the country has moved to the path of progress and has been attracting foreign investments in different sectors. Even, newspaper like International Herald Tribune (IHT) recently carried a story on Bangladesh highlighting the country's achievements in some sectors, including the multi-million dollar modern shopping mall in Dhaka.

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In the backdrop of frequent bomb blasts senior Indian journalist Hiranmoy Karlekar has written a book -- Bangladesh the next Afghanistan? The very name of the book of the former editor of The Hindustan Times suggest that Bangladesh has been negatively portrayed. Karlekar is now Consultant Editor of The Pioneer and a member of the Press Council of India.

The author, as it appears from reports, has in his book argued that the headquarters of Islamic terrorism was shifting from Afghanistan to Bangladesh. He said that terrorist attacks in the country were part of a design to destroy Bangladesh's secular and democratic political parties and its vibrant intellectual and cultural life. It is also aimed at converting the country into a hard line Islamic one.

As the masterminds remain so far traceless, reasons behind such serial bomb attacks are yet to be properly unveiled. Those arrested in connection with the blasts, have made their intention clear that they want establishment of the Rule of Allah and the governance of honest people. Incidentally, both the slogans are being used by Jamaat-e- Islami, Bangladesh, a component of the four-party alliance government. The party has however, repeatedly refuted the allegations.

Democracy in the country is still at a nascent stage and the government with support of development partners, has been engaged in equipping institutions relevant for strengthening the country's fledgling democracy. If the incidents of bomb explosions cannot be tackled with an iron hand through collective efforts, the country's achievements in some sectors would go in vain. Democracy and development efforts are sure to suffer heavily in the process.

The BNP-led alliance government can be the immediate target of the attackers, who might have short, medium and long term plans against the country. The alliance government may become the immediate victim for its failure to efficiently govern the affairs of the state.

When there is loss of life or damage to property in bomb explosions, people are expected to go against the government. Because the government is responsible for ensuring security of life and property of the people. But ultimately democracy and development process would suffer. The political rivals of the alliance, however, have no reasons to feel happy as in the absence of democracy, there cannot be any progress of society. Those behind such acts, would not spare the political rivals of the government either.

Interestingly, some of the BNP leaders, including a state minister and a deputy minister from the country' northern region, have been publicly blamed for their connivance with some of the leaders of the banned outfits -- Jagrata Muslim Janata (JMJB) and Jamiatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB).

There are allegations that the issue of Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, was not taken with due importance. In other words, Bangla Bhai with his supporters were being used against the so-called political enemies of the BNP-led alliance. There were reports of several deaths in the hands of Bangla Bhai and his workers. But the media reports had fallen on deaf ears. Rather there were even loud demand from some political parties for action against them.

Today, award of Taka one crore has been announced for help in tracing Shaikh Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai. Abu Hena, MP elected on BNP ticket, has been expelled from the party for his stand against some BNP leaders for allegedly giving shelter to Bangla Bhai.

Meanwhile, there has been sudden rise in the demand for sophisticated security equipment like metal detectors, close circuit television(CCTV), binoculars, door phones, archways, vehicle mirror search etc., following increase in terrorist attacks across the country. The demand for military hardware has also increased to equip the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) with sophisticated weapons and hardy vehicles.

The government has been spending a huge amount of money for procurement of vehicles and equipment to ensure security of the people. There is also demand from the members of the public for ensuring security in private houses and establishments. In the process the countries which manufacture these items are finding Bangladesh as a growing market.

The investigating agencies should dig out all aspects in their reports while discharging the job of unveiling the identity of the conspirators engaged in terrorist attacks. The investigation should mention all the beneficiaries of such incidents.

It is high time that the nation forged unity against the conspirators shunning the path of divisive politics, which only strengthens the hands of the enemies. The unity should be in the spirit of the country's liberation war as the terrorists through their countrywide bomb blasts had issued a serious warning, and have staged grievous follow-ups.

The simultaneous bomb blasts at some key point installations (KPI) in 63 out of 64 districts of the country on August 17 last, should have been taken more seriously. The terrorists demonstrated the extent of their skill and strength through the well planned and coordinated attacks. Earlier there were attacks on Awami League rally on August 21 last year claiming several lives. There was attack on British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury in Shrine of Shah Jalal (RA), and on a rally addressed by Awami League leader former finance minister SAMS Kibria MP in Habiganj. Kibria was killed in the incident. But those responsible for these attacks are yet to be punished.

We do not know the findings of bomb blast incidents which took place during the time of Awami League rule. The citizens of the country have a right to know the outcome of the investigations of all bomb incidents and the identity of those responsible for such acts.

Nurul Huda is a Special Correspondent of BSS.