State minister's admission

All the prima facie evidence points to the fact that timely and discreet action would have saved the factories from the paws of the looters and arsonists. While the factories burned, panicky owners appealed to the authorities for help, but the contingent of police and RAB personnel sent to the scene was too small in size to neutralise the frenzied crowd. And by the time the authorities sent paramilitary forces like the BDR, a great deal of damage has already been done.

A host of ministers including those of home, finance and commerce are crying hoarse to suggest that the anarchy was linked to an act of sabotage and conspiracy. If you are so convinced of the existence of a conspiracy, of agents provocateurs, local or foreign, then by all means catch them and expose them. Such premature and skin-deep comments only help fan the fire of speculation. In the past also we have seen similar lackadaisical attitude on the part of the relevant authorities despite having intelligence reports on the terrorists who later carried out bomb attacks throughout the country.

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Handling conspiracy is part of governance and the people concerned must remain on their toes all the time to identify and foil any such attempt directed at destabilising country's security, economy or social order. No intelligence report is definitive and yet preemptive action has to be taken on the basis of whatever is in hand.

If the argument is that despite having intelligence report relevant ministries cannot act with a quick reflex due to paucity of forces, then are we to believe that this will go on happening as a fait accompli? We feel the heads of various security agencies should put their heads together to devise a mechanism whereby they can act swiftly on an intelligence report.