Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 351 Wed. May 25, 2005       Letters to Editor Women political activists Sameena Ahmed, Dhaka I am writing in protest of a statement that has been ascribed to Mr. Harry Thomas, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, that women political activists deliberately rip their clothes even before the police arrive on the scene of protest to show that they have been victimised. Many of us have found this statement to be highly objectionable and insensitive because of its macho and sexist aspersions on women political activists. It also seems to condone the lawless methods of law enforcement in Bangladesh. We would like to know the source of Mr Thomas' sweeping indictment. Was he present at the site himself? Whose evidence is he relying upon? Normally one does not expect a seasoned diplomat to make such a political indictment. . PHOTO: AFP