There is no denying the fact that the spectre of terrorism had been haunting us for a long time. But, perhaps, it is hitting us all the more heinously now than ever before. Back in 1975 on August 15, the nation witnessed the brutal killing of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members. Unfortunately the killers of 1975 even emerged as healers for the nation in subsequent periods. Seemingly, "crime and reward" replaced "crime and punishment". A sense of feeling often embarrassed judges in hearing this brutal murder case. The lukewarm attitude of the governments in ensuring justice, and an overall lack of justice in the society went a long way to encourage terrorism in the country. Bangladesh was apparently waiting on the wings to be listed as a terrorist spot.

The spectre of terrorism again visited us on August 21. It was a public meeting against terrorism organised by the main opposition party, Awami League. A gruesome attack through a series of grenade blasts was orchestrated to kill Sheikh Hasina. She, however, could escape by a razor thin margin but the attack cost 22 lives including Begum Ivy Rahman -- a front line woman activist in the country. Top ranking leaders like Abdur Razzaque, Obaidul Kader, Bahauddin Nasim and others groaned with injuries in hospitals for several days. The image of the country went down sharply. The world denounced the devilish act. But till now, none of the terrorists could be taken to task. It is being alleged that the party in power played dilly-dally to look for the criminals and arrange for their trial.

In between, barbarism through blasts boomed. The British High Commissioner was seriously hurt by a bomb blast in Sylhet. Eminent politicians Ahsan Ullah master MP and SAMS Kibria MP lost their lives on account of grenade attacks. Drs Humayun Azad and Yunus were killed by terrorists. By and large, secular and democratic forces faced the fire. The government as usual failed to bring the culprits to book. The law of the land lay lame to tame the terrorists. Bangladesh began to be on the brink of being bracketed as a terrorist spot.

Then came August 17 2005. Some 500 simultaneous bomb blasts in 63 districts at common points rather pierced through the heart of the nation. Never in the history of any nation such an act of attacks has taken place. This time, government sources revealed that organised terrorist groups orchestrated the blasts. Whereas, the same government had long been denying the existence for such groups in the country. It had been shifting the blame on to opposition parties for tarnishing the image of the country. At international level, the image of the country reached the lowest ebb. Reportedly, foreign investors are flying away for fear of further attacks. Business and trade communities expressed their deep concerns over a declining economic output.

The above mentioned episodes are tip of the ice berg, bone breaking though. Let us mark incidents of August 15, 17 and 21 as national catastrophies. But at local and regional levels, terrorism began traveling too fast since the assumption of power by the present coalition government. After the general election of 2001, terrorists attacked minorities for their alleged alignment with Awami League. Males were manhandled and even killed, women were raped. Houses were burnt down and assets stolen. A reign of terror swept over whole Bangladesh and the waves of which does not seem to wane.

The growth and dispersion of fundamentalist forces in the country is, however, the main concern toady. As opposed to a secular and democratic path of progress that our martyrs shed blood for, these forces are up to take us to a medieval age. Unfortunately for the country sections of the forces are alleged to be allies of the party in power. They are nourished and nurtured under the umbrella of "vote bank". Thus, we see no sign of an abatement of the ferocity in the near future if the calculus of politics continues to be so. Under the scenario, the nation can, perhaps, hardly expect a committed crackdown on these forces.

But people can do that. The nation needs to be on board a secular and democratic ship. The progressive forces of the country must unite to rise against the destructive forces. The ongoing movement of 14-party alliance needs also to be supported by other pro-liberation parties to face the extremist fundamentalist forces in the country. Awami League led a freedom movement to free us from the clutch of the Pakistan colony. This time, another freedom movement should be launched to free us from the clutch of criminals. May be a long way to go, may be more to mourn but definitely a destination is there.

On that score alone, the convention against terrorism can claim appreciation. Let us all be aware of the costs of terrorism for the nation and eke out the benefits through wiping it out from the society. We must win over the woes.

Abdul Bayes is a Professor of Economics at Jahangirnagar University