Editorial
The PM's stern call leads to rebel surrender
All concerned must exercise restraint
PRIME Minister Sheikh Hasina's stern call has had the desired effect, and has led to the surrender of the rebel BDR troops. This brought to a peaceful end in Dhaka to what can be termed as the most serious incidence of breach of discipline of any part of the security force.
We congratulate the prime minister on her sagacious handling of the situation which resulted in prevention of a bloodbath. We echo her call for restraint by all concerned. We are happy to note that the opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia has urged both sides to exercise restraint.
The peaceful resolution brought out the tragic fact of army officers being killed along with some of their family members. We strongly condemn this barbarity perpetrated by a section of BDR troops. The brutal killing of these officers cannot go unpunished.
In our editorial yesterday, we welcomed the PM's announcement of general amnesty. However, we want to point out that such an amnesty generally covers act of rebellion and breach of discipline, but does not and cannot cover acts of murder and mayhem which some BDR troops indulged in.
The demands of BDR troops are all too known by now and have been heeded by no less a person than the prime minister herself who has formed a high level committee to look into these in a bid to initiate realistic steps towards meeting them. After all these, if you still persist with anarchic behaviour and violence that is outrageously unbecoming of any member of an organised force, then you are liable as the PM has already warned for the sternest of action.
We express profound condolences over the casualties, especially of the army officers, may be numbering at least 50 as stated by a member of the cabinet, and the figure could be higher. As we pray for the salvation of their departed souls, the sense of loss being too grievous we have words of special condolences for them.
We know that it is difficult for anyone to live down the hurt that is inflicted through such act of cruelty, but our entreaty is that more revenge cannot be the answer.
Let's not forget, confrontation begets confrontation; violence can only breed violence. The solution lies through peace. As we put out a call for all sides to exercise utmost restraint at this grave hour of crisis we are merely echoing the expectations of the whole nation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments