In a tragic incident near Dhaka's Tejgaon Railway Station, at least four lives, including a mother and her young son, were claimed by what can only be described as the heinous act of arsonists who set ablaze three coaches of the Mohanganj Express. To say that such incidents before the election have now reached a tipping point would be an understatement; enough is enough.
It is the deliberate nature of the attack that raises serious concerns about the growing menace of arson, vandalism, and hooliganism in the lead-up to the elections. This incident, along with the rail incident in Gazipur last week that also saw the loss of lives and intentional damage done to rail tracks, speaks of sinister and malicious acts on the part of the perpetrators and as such, they post a danger to everyone in society.
As such it is about time we emphasize a zero-tolerance approach towards such miscreants, particularly when it results in loss of life and property. For too long now, acts of violence before the elections have resulted in loss of lives and property; while peaceful demonstrations should never see any barriers, what has been transpiring for weeks across different incidents has been anything but peaceful.
It is imperative that law enforcement agencies swiftly and decisively bring the perpetrators to book. The message must be clear: Those who engage in acts of arson and violence will face the full force of the law. As we approach elections, the safety and security of citizens should be paramount, ensuring an environment free from fear and intimidation.
Monday, June 16, 2025
