Police pitted against opposition

The premonition of a showdown between the pickets and members of the law enforcing agencies hung in the air from the very outset, but no attempt was made by any quarter to reign in the rebellious members to avoid maximum damage. Rather, we note with some degree of trepidation, that though the propensity of resorting to violence is beginning to manifest every day in its total ugliness and cruelty, neither the major players in the political arena nor the top-level law enforcing authorities shoulder any responsibility to restrain the ferocious attitude of some of their colleagues. It is elementary wisdom that violence begets violence and only non-violent measures can defuse an eruptive situation.

Surely, our society is not accustomed to witnessing such acts of violence and vandalism, and this cannot be given currency in the name of politics. The frenzy of assault and counter-assault displayed by both sides left the impression on the minds of the common people that sanity had taken leave of them. It also raised the question in their minds as to whether time has come for the think-tanks on all sides to sit down and take stock of the whole situation and tell the nation what good has come out of the fracas.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

We urge the parties concerned to behave more responsibly and avoid creating a "stand off" situation. Also, they should probe for alternative ways to express their agenda in the coming days when political activities are likely to become more intense. We want democratic rights and law and order to be upheld, but not at the cost of citizens' suffering.