Can anybody please show us the ray of light? We can't let the blood of our heroes go in vain and we can't let our next generation suffer the same way we are suffering at present.

The Human Right Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) is shocked and outraged by the brutal murder of the former finance minister of Bangladesh, SAMS Kibria, and four others recently at a peaceful political rally in Habiganj. We strongly condemn this gruesome crime and the subsequent attacks on the opposition rallies in the country.

Bangladesh has turned into a lawless jungle where terrorists roam and operate freely, committing whatever crimes they wish . The government of the BNP-Jamaat coalition has repeatedly failed to apprehend the attackers who evidently have been systematically eliminating opposition political leaders. The government has shown no sign of solving the bombing incidents at opposition rallies. It has failed to solve the biggest arms seizure incidents in Chittagong and Bogra in recent months. According to your newspaper, "Major bomb blasts that left 150 people killed and about 1,000 injured in the last six years still stand unresolved as the attackers remain unpunished revelling in the politicisation of the probes."

We demand that the government of Bangladesh take the lawlessness in the country seriously, apprehend the criminals, and bring them to justice; thus making our beloved motherland look like part of the civilised world.

Finally, we express our condolence and the deepest sympathy to Asma Kibria, wife of SAMS Kibria, and to the families of other victims.

Dhiman Deb Chowdhury President Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities

As NRBs (Non Resident Bangladeshis) we are an avid reader of your newspaper that provides not only the latest news covering the nooks and corner of the country but also objective views. These may not shape the policy or the politics of the country but give an idea about the psyche of its citizens and the world at large, which is so important to us.

We were shocked to read about the grenade attack and the sad death of Mr. Kibria and others. Over the last two years the over all law and order situation in the country has progressively deteriorated to the point where the British High Commissioner Mr. Anwar Chowdhury escaped death in May. Reading about it sitting in the US, we felt embarrassed at the life threatening reception that was given to the son of the soil who had done it proud by returning as a diplomat. We thought that now the government would wake up from its long hibernation and state of complacency and we would surely witness a wave of change. Witness we did another attack on a rally in August 2004 that killed a leading political figure. That is not to mention the regular incidents of mafia style gang killings, hate killings, muggings and other crimes that the common citizens are subjected to all over the country. In fact, lately we were afraid to open the newspaper in the internet and constantly feared for our families and friends that we had left behind.

Life away from homeland and loved ones is never easy. But in most cases we are compelled to make this choice because of lack of opportunities in our native land. We work hard and diligently in a competitive and foreign environment so that we can create a niche for our fellow countrymen and a name for the country. It seems like a cliché for us now when the local daily here which hardly carries any news of foreign land provides this piece of information about Bangladesh. As a result, and not withstanding our constant efforts in promoting Bangladesh as a moderate and tolerant country, we face questions that decries the credibility of our government and us as well. Unlike the Honourable Foreign Minister we cannot say, "Such incidents take place in countries all over the world, not just in Bangladesh. We cannot bring an end to these incidents overnight." So according to him we should start consoling ourselves by relating to countries that are rated as having a violent and volatile climate. And maybe someone should wake up the Honourable Minister - that it has been five months since the last incident of this magnitude - not mere overnight. We cannot even remotely think of an end to it when instead of diminishing these violent scenarios are erupting in regular frequencies and becoming more intensive and devastating.

It is rather humorous at times when we reflect on the dramatics of the ministers holding different portfolios. About a month back I recall reading in The Daily Star the finance minister's urgings to the NRBs to return to Bangladesh and bring investment ventures and their expertise. He gave examples of the neighbouring countries and how their overseas population are slowly coming back. As an NRB I would like to question, return to what? Insecurity, instability, lawlessness and alienation!! The neighbouring countries in reference are improving the socio-economic condition with special emphasis on their non-resident population. Do the politicians and the government realise the enormous braindrain that has accelerated in recent times? Anybody, who has a little bit of self esteem and ethics left, is trying to get out of the quagmire that Bangladesh has now become.

This process if not slowed will leave the country with a majority of unscrupulous people who will be at the helm of affairs. During our growing up formative years we had experienced the war of independence - now I cannot help but wonder - did we as a nation liberate ourselves from tyranny to become a realm of terrorism!!

I would request The Daily Star, that has over the years actively promoted socio-economic issues and forums, to start a public awareness campaign, to raise the apathetic people of the country to a collective consciousness.

Habiba Tasneem Galveston, US

On 27 January, I saw in ntv news bar that the former finance minister and a well respected diplomat, SAMS Kibria, had been injured in a grenade attack. But I was stunned when in 28 January Friday newspaper I saw that the AL leader was no more. Three AL MPs of the current JS have been brutally assassinated so far. These attacks have probably been carried out by the people who attempted to kill Sheikh Hasina on 21August last year. They used the same Arges grenade to kill Kibria.

It was very sad that the mortally injured political leader could not be brought to Dhaka by a helicopter. I don't know whose duty it was to arrange a helicopter, but someone had to shoulder the responsibility. There was nobody to arrange quick medical assistance for the man bleeding to death.

Shame on the government!

A reader Motijheel, Dhaka

The recent murder of Mr. Kibria, considered one of the renowned politicians of the country, was an act of sheer barbarism. I could hardly believe that this barbaric and inhuman incident could happen in our country. It seems we all are helpless at the moment. If the lives of senior politicians are not safe, then the security of the lives of common citizens can easily be guessed.

The government has failed to ensure law and order. They have failed to capture the actual culprits. This kind of incidents cannot just go on for ever. They must be stopped. The government must take the initiative to capture the criminals. They must find out who are involved in these bombing incidents. If the government were strict and firm in its actions, then these tragedies could have been avoided.

I still wonder when our country will come to a stable position.

Will that happen in our lifetime?

Minhaj Ahmed Uttara, Dhaka-1230