We have already commended the AL for their efforts to move forward with the dialogue on the caretaker issue. We have also editorialised on the fact that the BNP led 18-party alliance hartal is uncalled for and totally unnecessary. Dhaka Tribune denounces all forms of unnecessary violence and hartals are not viable solutions to any political situation.
Mercifully the hartal has ended, but not before unacceptable loss of life and property. Today, we would like to focus on one aspect of the past three days that we feel has only exacerbated the problem.
We would like to take issue with the use of AL student and youth fronts to counter the picketers, that only contributed to the violence and insecurity.
We would like to believe that the law enforcement agencies are properly equipped and adept for dealing with this situation and that the added help from the Chhatra League, motivated by their own party’s agenda, was neither required, desired, nor acceptable, as this simply makes the AL a party to the anarchy that transpired.
This move only added fuel to the fire that was already charring the nation and could only have further damaged the chances and the effectiveness of the dialogue that is yet to take place. Chhatra League’s involvement sends exactly the opposite message that the prime minister’s call to Khaleda Zia sent.
We would prefer that the government, at least, would play by the rulebook and leave peacekeeping in the able hands of the police. It is high time they put a leash on the vandalism and violence emanating from their own student wing.