It was the biggest ever ammo haul in the country which exposed glaring holes in the security arrangements that are in place. The news was significant because it came on the heels of a series of subversive activities across the country. It is still not known who would have finally received the huge consignment of bullets and explosives. But there is no doubt that it would have ended up in the hands of some terrorist organisation.

Now, people have every right to know the details of the matter which posed a grave threat to the security of the country.

Police arrested a few suspects and the issue was quickly politicised as the two major parties blamed each other, as they always do under such circumstances. But the real culprits have managed to evade arrest. Why could the investigators make no progress even after taking some of the operators into custody? People would like to know what precisely is preventing them from getting to the bottom of the deal.

Investigation into a case like this might not always proceed smoothly. But when it remains stuck for over five months, and looks like having lost the sense of direction, questions regarding the sincerity and efficacy of the whole process will arise for obvious reasons. Are the illegal ammo dealers powerful enough to offset any move to bring them to justice? Is Bangladesh becoming a regular transit route for such contraband merchandise?

Law and order has been identified as a major problem. However, it is not clear how it can improve when investigation into a sensational ammunition haul fizzles out for inexplicable reasons.

The government should immediately look into the matter and set the investigation into the case on a fast track.