Editorial
Two years since August carnage
Shame on the investigation process
It is with a tremendous sense of sorrow, outrage and trepidation that we look at the two-year long barren investigation trail left by the government since the grenade blast massacre of August 21, 2004. To the best of our knowledge, it was the single most devastating terror incident in the history of Bangladesh. Any country, even with a minimum sense of justice and qualm, would have handled the matter as a number one priority concern; but to our government, judging by the slack in the investigation and the excuses galore, the issue was consigned to the remotest recess of administrative consciousness. All this, in spite of the fact that there was no ambiguity whatsoever regarding the motivation, target and the ulterior objectives behind the attack. It was a test of political will that the government could have only failed to the corrosion of its credibility and the undermining of its prestige abroad. The prime minister and other leading figures of BNP often lament about the image of the country being spoilt by opposition propaganda. But is it not a slur on the good name of Bangladesh that the gruesome street haemorrhage of August 21 remains unpunished? Are we to believe that the loss of 22 lives of men and women who were citizens of the country with extra-ordinary commitment to their beliefs including a leader of the calibre of Ivy Rahman, meant nothing because they belonged to the opposition? The position now taken is that unless the fugitives from law in this case return from India, the investigations cannot be concluded and the perpetrators brought to justice. However expedient the approach may sound it cannot be acceptable logically. This basically reflects adversely on the government's commitment. What does all this mean? This can only signify that the criminals can get away with perpetrating lethal terror on opposition elements. One can even read a signal into the impunity message to continue with such murders. This corrodes rule of law; this is an anathema to democratic covenants. For the sake of democracy, rule of law and the image of the country, we urge the government to complete the investigation process within the remaining two months of its tenure clearing the way for the perpetrators' punishment.
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