The arrest of five senior BNP figures adds a new obstacle to hopes for an end to the deadlock between the two main political parties.
We do not think the timing of these arrests or the manner in which they were undertaken late on Friday evening is conducive to hopes for a constructive dialogue.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has said that the arrests were justified because of the chaos and violence caused by hartals. Whilst we have always been of the view that politicians should bear responsibility for deaths and injuries caused by hartals which they call, this sudden crackdown appears unwise.
It takes place at a critical juncture when people in both parties have been gearing up for an election campaign. The arrest of three top BNP leaders, Moudud Ahmed, MK Anwar and Rafiqul Islam Mia can only encourage elements on both sides which want to derail talks between the parties.
Moreover, it adds to concerns about interference in the machinery of law and order. The government has a duty to preserve the peace and tackle the causes of violence during hartals, but it is vital for rule of law that police actions remain, and are seen as remaining, above politics and not partisan in any way.
For the vast majority of people, the only acceptable outcome to the present political crisis is for the two parties to agree on the timely holding of fair and free elections. Anything less than this will not be accepted as credible and can only raise the spectre of more hartals which undermine the economy and harm the nation’s stability.
