We were flabbergasted to learn of BNP having given any concession to its opponent Awami League. Who knew not that since the Alliance government is in power it has been ferociously after the AL. The police like hounds have been on actions even on the peaceful procession of AL either in the streets or around the precincts of its central office or at the Russel Square. Leaders like Matia Chowdhury and Mohd. Nasim, let alone hundred others, were mercilessly clubbed. And even the women activists in one of the recent protests were swooped upon and the police actions were most unseemly and condemnable though peaceful protest against the misdeeds and misrules of the government is the democratic right of the people. Government seems to want us go to slumber and rule us according to its whims. So was there gush of arrests and persecution inflicted on the columnist, journalists and writers who made common cause with AL.

A democratically elected government has already tarnished its image by putting up a dictatorial posture under the garb of democracy. So the PM could launch Operation Clean Heart (OCH) with armed forces men without even consulting her cabinet and withdrew them just before the Union Parishad elections despite Chief Election Commissioner's appeal for their stay until elections were over. This was just to let BNP activists and cadres to have a freehand in the election fields and the nation witnessed their open interference. The OCH that was acclaimed by people at the outset also earned bad name for custodial death of at least 45 people allegedly due to torture. They died before they could be proved guilty in the court of justice. Hundreds others were tortured and crippled for life. But the alleged killers were indemnified in deliberate violation of the constitution and convention of human rights.

After the OCH we are beholding terrorism of ghastly sorts rebounding in full force and fury. Killing followed and still follows in spate. The recent killings of AL leader Mumtaz of Natore and BCL Dhaka North leader Sohel allegedly at the hands of BNP cadres/activists have sent shiver down the spine of many leaders of the opposition camp and scare gripped them. Two Dhaka City JCD and Jubo Dal leaders also fell to the terrorist's bullets. The gory tales of decimation and liquidation of people on the front and back page of the national dailies continue unabated to the consternation of the readers.

When some 50 thousand charge-sheeted offenders, many of whom are believed to be hardcore criminals, could get scot free allegedly by reason of their being affiliated with the BNP and its Alliances how could one expect of a situation better than the above? How rule of law is to follow under such warped politically motivated decision of the government and its Home Ministry? Few recent newspaper scoops are worth repeating. The case of Rajshahi Jamaat leader Dr. Mozammel Huq, accused of bomb-blast in his house when the bomb was being made which killed two persons was withdrawn when the police investigation was in process. During BNP's Council meeting in Rangpur one BNP activist opened fire from his revolver (DS Jun 27) in presence of leader Gayeshar Roy. In Rajshahi BNP cadres ransacked one of their leader's house with showdown of arms (DS Jun 29). This is perhaps tip of the iceberg. Illegal arms in the hands of BNP activists abound and their use in bullying the opponents, or extorting or threatening to wrest tenders and even in eliminating the opponents attribute to a great deal to creating the present deteriorating law and order situation. Sony's (of BUET) meeting an untimely end was the sequel to a firing between the activists of two factions of JCD vying for exacting a tender bid. During the police attack on the students of Shamsunnahar Hall at dead of night the JCD leaders were reportedly in possession of illegal arms. Where all these arms come from? Why these illegal arm-holders remain unscathed and undogged?

When this is the picture, only accusing of AL for the present haul and harping the same string of blame on it for creating unrest while giving leverages to its (BNP's) own men will cut no ice as the people now are a little more conscious and all eyes are focused to what the national dailies tell us daily about the government's lapses, about sweeping the problems under the carpet, and about its unctuous claim of good governance. When government politicises main organs of services namely the police and even allegedly the judiciary, it fosters hidden purpose to serve, and fairplay and for that matter good governance become a far cry. The AL too was not above that blame. But BNP alliance government is doing that rather with a vengeance. Making politics vicious by political vilification has become the order of the day. Democracy upholds the right to criticism and government must have guts to bear with that for that would help it rectify its follies and frailties. Opposition also holds support of the great bulk of the people who are to be equally treated. Hence the need for the opposition to be reckoned with. Opposition bugbear and prejudice is to be shaken off. For without opposition you cannot hold democracy functioning and the country's image saved. And we should expect both the people in position and opposition to shun vilification and counter vilification. However the onus rests with the government, first.

A. H. Dewan is a resident of South Kafrul, Dhaka Cantt.