Editorial
PM's welcome resolve
Action must be result-oriented
ALTHOUGH belated, the PM's directive to the law enforcing agencies to root out elements with extremist agenda deserves commendation. The major preoccupation of these militants remains to be the exploitation of the credulous minds of the indigent Bangladeshis and one cannot agree more with the Prime Minister that those who spread anarchy in the name of religion cannot have the interest of the country at heart. Coming at the heels of the recent decision of the government to ban two extremist groups in the country, the directive acquires significance for the overall security and national interest of our country.However, what we would eagerly look forward to is that these directives do not remain as mere articulation of intent but are acted upon with alacrity and sincerity. It must not be lost sight of that the exercise is more complex than it appears at first sight. The relevant agencies must proceed with a proper plan and good deal of prudence. The militants can be rooted out only if one can detect their linkages and their source of sustenance. One has to get at the roots of these groups if one wants to arrest the growth of this phenomenon, whose long term consequences have become only too clear to need expounding further. We cannot also but note with misgiving the mixed signals that appear from time to time in this regard. It is our belief that the administration would not hesitate to identify those that have stood in the way of tackling this phenomenon or patronised them from any high pedestal of administration, and hold them to account. It is also our hope that the government will keep an open mind while tackling these elements and comments from responsible members in the administration must in no way detract or distract the relevant agencies from performing their tasks. It is a pity that reports on the activities of Islamic militants in Bangladesh appearing in the print media from time to time over the last several years had fallen on deaf ears. And, directives to haul up some of these elements active in the north of the country by the PMO were not acted upon in earnest. The people will not be satisfied with anything short of a result-oriented action in the matter of rooting out the militants.
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