Editorial
Students going on rampage
What purpose did it serve?
The clash between a group of students and transport workers in the streets of Barisal town that left at least 50 injured and more than 40 vehicles damaged, was totally reprehensible. First of all, we simply fail to understand why students of Barisal BM College went to a bus terminal to block the roads and highways to press for a demand that had to do with an academic interest. They were clamouring for upgrading their college to a university, something that should have remained confined to representations before the authorities concerned rather than spilling on to the streets. To press for or highlight a demand why must students resort to disrupting public life?One can never support the tendency of taking out any anger and frustrations on others which has become a routine behavioral pattern in society. Students blocking the roads and damaging vehicles on the streets is not a new phenomenon. We are simply shocked and disgusted at the repeat. In the case of Barisal, however, the situation aggravated because the transport workers took it upon themselves to deal with it instead of waiting for the law enforcers to arrive. Whatever the reasons, all of those involved in the clash must realise that they had no right to damage public property, smash vehicles, create panic among the passersby and cause inconvenience to numerous commuters. This sort of unruly, unlawful behaviour must be stopped. The authorities must not hesitate to apply laws to prevent such acts of rampage and mayhem. Only then anyone would think twice before taking public safety hostage to their selfish interests. Let all concerned beware of the fact that, if unchecked, such disruptive behaviour can have a pernicious contagion effect.
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