We saw how our sons of the soil stood against the corrupt authorities and raised their voice for supply of electricity. And some of them were killed. Their fault was they wanted electricity, and instead of it they got bullets. However, that incident could not make any impression on our deaf and blind administration. That is why Kansat had to witness the same kind of barbaric police action once more.

Here, again, we have found our government dumb. They remained silent as before. And what a price people paid for the gross mishandling of the situation by the government.

Kazi Abubakar Siddique, Lalmatia, Dhaka

Their only "crime" was demanding what was due to them. The agents of the government were terrorising women and children. This is shameful.

They have failed the nation and disgraced all Bangladeshis.

A reader, On e-mail

It is difficult to believe that our government machinery is engaged in killing our own innocent and poor people, instead of protecting them.

The government is handling the genuine grievances of people in colonial style. The fact that the ordinary village people have risen in rebellion indicates total failure of the government administration.

What is happening to our country? We were proud to be secular. We wanted to leave religion in private arena. We were proud to be Bengalee. But now we cannot express our opinion freely without fear of getting harmed. We cannot even celebrate Bangla New Year properly for fear of bomb attacks. We seem to be going through much worse times than the British or Pakistani colonial days!

Syed Noor Hossain, Former Ambassador, Uttara, Dhaka

It is really shocking that so many lives were snuffed out under such unfortunate circumstances at Kansat. However, the ruling party failed to control the situation and proved that they are alienated from the people. On the other hand, the opposition parties are always criticising the government.

The whole thing is a disgrace to the nation.

Sushanta Kumar Sarker, University of Dhaka