Drive against outlaws

A number of outlawed factions, including Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) and JMB have been creating serious law and order situation in the northern region in recent times. It has been reported by the intelligence bodies that some JMB operatives had held a meeting in the forests under Satkhira district with the intent to carry out another round of murder and mayhem. Some of the activists of these factions have been engaged in extortion and kidnapping as easy means of earning money, and they killed anyone who protested their unlawful activities. The members of various groups also fought battles amongst each other for control of territory in the remote areas.

We have noted that occasional police actions in the past have led to the arrest of some operatives of these groups but the main leaders always stayed outside the police dragnet. There have been strong allegations that some vested quarters kept patronising the outlawed elements for their own selfish interest. The allegations also pointed fingers at some political leaders of the locality for maintaining connections with the groups in order to maintain a hold on the people through terrorising them.

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We hope the drive would not vaporise half way through, as it is the common trend in Bangladesh. What is required is the support of the local people to ensure a sustained operation that would lead to attaining the desired objectives.