Editorial
United in resolve, we must overcome the crisis
We should emerge stronger from it
THE tragedy continues to unfold. Just when an end appears to be in sight, a new barrage of facts are uncovered to add another dimension to our understanding. Thus, the new exposes overtaking the old, our eyes are widened to the sheer scale of the massacre.
As our shock and revulsion grow with horrifying discoveries of mass graves, we are left in utter disbelief how abominable and dehumanised the motivations of the perpetrators became that they could stage such an orgy of murder.
As the nation's emotion welled up at the sight of the bereaved families heart-rending wailing, words simply fail to solace them at this hour of their grievous loss -- mother losing son, wife her husband, children their father, sibling one of their own, and the nation an asset.
In one word, so overwhelming has been the effect of the ordeal on the national psyche that this is not certainly the time for trading blame and counter-blame. Rather we must, as a nation, own up to it, however repugnant that is, and act together in order that those who masterminded and perpetrated the heinous acts are punished.
Our central focus should be on getting to the bottom of why it all happened, whether there was any extraneous input of incitement, and how effectively we can ensure that it never happens again.
We have said it before and we are saying it again, we are fully cognisant of and sympathetic to the fact of how the armed forces have been damaged and their sentiment and pride have been hurt, but it is also true that the misfortune of this type and magnitude had never befallen the nation before. There might be post-facto evaluations and surmises about where the handling went right and where wrong, but no one can overlook the fact that events moved so fast -- the killing of army officers in secondment to BDR mostly happened within a few hours in the morning -- that informed decision making was difficult. That brings us again to the question of intelligence failure. Where was the third eye on the undercurrents, on a day to day basis, their analysis and timely reporting to the appropriate authority?
At a time like this, what is singularly important is authentic dissemination of news and views in contrast to speculations and rumour-mongering which can only compound matters. The nation should rise as one man without any discordant voice and schism in any sector of the society to deter any recurrence of such a shock to our national life.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments