Kansat epitomises dismal failure of governance where the government action has been more reactive than proactive and where it repeated the cardinal mistake of believing in the efficacy of the 'stick' in solving a problem that needed a very patient and thoughtful consideration rather than harsh measures that were adopted. This is a matter of dismay because, such a policy of pitting the law enforcing agencies against the people whose demands were both genuine and legitimate, reveals a typical mindset of the government that force can subdue people. This is counterproductive, as events have eventually proved.

What was equally disconcerting was the apparent lack of concern for the sad turn of events and the absence of initiatives on the part of the local administration to devise ways to quell the situation. That was glaringly demonstrated by the statement of a high government functionary of Rajshahi Division expressing his ignorance of the police action and the deaths by police firing.

This leaves us with two pertinent questions that the government must answer. First, who will account for the innocent lives lost? Second, who was responsible for initiating police action? A thorough probe must be instituted to identify those who adopted the strategy of use of force that turned into a full-fledged action against the locals of Kansat, leaving no room at all for negotiation. One hopes that the right lessons will be learnt from the Kansat tragedy.

We demand that genuine grievances of the locals be addressed quickly, an inquisition be made into the series of incidents, culprits punished and, above all, families of those killed in police firing be compensated adequately.