It's a Shame
This is perhaps the surest sign of ineffectuality and desperation. Government unable to protect its law-abiding citizens from the criminals and consequently impelling them to be up in arms in defence. The lead news item published in yesterday's Daily Star that dwelt on the plight of the insecure traders in Chittagong forms a sad commentary on the presence and performance of the government. It is a shame on the government that traders at Terry Bazaar, a locality in country's premier port city have decided to fight terrorism and extortion on their own because the law enforcing agency is of no help to them. The men in uniform reportedly have not stood by them with any remedial measures despite repeated complaints. Out of sheer frustration and helplessness they have taken to hockey sticks and whistles to fight and call the community people into collective resistance whenever an occasion demands.
We dare say the news from Chittagong about terrorists' tyranny and the emasculated or an-aeshetised state of law enforcing agency is not typical of the port city but reflective of a general picture prevailing in every centre of trade and commerce in the country. Not long ago newspapers reported how traders in some areas of Dhaka formed vigilante groups like Mrittyunjoyee Squad to fight the terrorists. We ask the powers that be what is the use of there being the administration if tax paying citizens have to think and act on their own for protection?
We understand the scourge is more of a legacy than a creation of the present government. It has grown and struck roots over a long period of time with factors like poverty, unemployment, erosion of moral values everything contributing to it. It is argued more often than not that providing employment opportunities to the hugely frustrated and derailed youth population is the biggest insurance against the malady. True. But this is something that will take time. But on long or short term, have our leaders so far shown sufficient signs of their worry about the situation? Have there been any step in the right direction? This is where our biggest concern lies. Neither the government nor the opposition seem seized of the cancerous growth that is eating into our vitals. The issue is a national concern.
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