The recruitment and indoctrination of youths by militant groups who may have been networking as well, is a distinct possibility that better not be ignored. Police suspect the arrested youths to be linked to the JMJB or its leader Bangla Bhai. If the suspicion proves to be a fact, then many questions would arise about the way the government has handled the JMJB phenomenon. It is really surprising that despite Bangla Bhai's misdeeds becoming known to people, the man is now being passed off as something of a fictional character. But what he represents or works for has a direct bearing on the lives of people. He has been accused of setting up a parallel law enforcing system, which couldn't have been possible but for the government's virtual reluctance to bring him to justice.

Cooperation of people is an important precondition for blunting the force of militancy of any kind. We recommend that the Imam who protested the militant activities and informed the police be rewarded for the social commitment and courage shown by him.

The villagers also did a good job by taking a firm position against the militants. Finally, the UNO and the OC of Barguna police station deserve appreciation for the prompt action that led to the discovery of the training camp.

There is reason to believe that such outfits exist in other parts of the country. If so, one has to conclude that catching of the militants has not been high on the government agenda. The government seems to have followed an ostrich-like policy which may be seen as pandering to the extreme right. Then the issue might have been sidelined by the preponderance of lawlessness in other areas. But the mistake of treating the issue of potential militancy as ordinary criminality can be a very costly one. We have already seen how the JMJB activists are swooping on their perceived rivals. These elements must not be allowed to gain further ground in our collective interest. It is time decisive action was taken against them.