Editorial
Dastardly bomb attack
Greater vigil called for
THE dastardly bomb attack on Awami League (AL) lawmaker Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh has shocked the nation. The attack, in the circumstances that it took place, points to the desperation of the perpetrators, since the present target of the assailants is also an advocate in the Bangabandhu murder case.
We have no word to condemn such attack on an important public figure like Barrister Taposh, who is also a member of Bangabandhu's family.
The Wednesday evening's bomb attack on Taposh while he was getting into his car bears a telltale mark of surveillance lapse of the intelligence network and law-enforcement agencies. For had people concerned been alert enough, an early warning could be issued as well as pre-emptive measures taken to avert any conspiracy in the act of its being hatched. With such preparations in place, necessary steps could be taken to beef up security to protect such persons as may be perceived to be carrying risk of being target of such attacks. It seems to us now that perhaps individuals rather than places are being included in the hit list of the criminals.
Talking of the level of surveillance and failure to resolve previous bombing-related cases, recurrence of such incidents seems to be on the rise. One needs also to bring to the fore previous cases of similar attacks on political and other public figures by unknown assailants, who have the habit of vanishing without trace after committing the crime. The truth is, the police more often than not fail to trace the identities of the mischief-makers. The past inabilities to ferret out the criminals and then bring them to justice have only emboldened them to carry out further attacks. One wonders how long the criminals will continue to spring such surprises!
The latest bomb incident targeting the AL lawmaker should therefore be considered as a message sent out to all across the nation that the attackers are able to reach anywhere whenever they like. This grave message from the kingpins of the mischief-mongers should not be lost on the law-enforcement departments concerned. They should waste no more time to strengthen vigilance and beef up the level of preparedness, especially early warning facilities of the intelligence agencies.
While expressing relief over the miraculous escape of Taposh, we also commiserate with others who suffered injuries in the attack and urge the authorities to take adequate measures for their treatment and early recovery.
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