The following remarks by commoners were overheard by our staffs at various places including offices, markets, tea stalls and eateries over the city in the last two days.

• "This is a ploy of the prime minister to make ways for the army to take over," said a man in Eskaton.
• "For these politicians who are so desperately trying to create an anarchy there is only one reason. While in power they can make a lot of black money," overheard at Dhanmondi branch of Dutch Bangla Bank.
• "In Gazipur and Narayanganj army was deployed and was seen on the streets" overheard in a canteen at Karwan Bazar.
• "Five ministers of the ruling party took shelter in cantonment" heard in a satellite TV channel.
• "Twelve ministers of the ruling party were caught while trying to cross the border in an attempt to leave the country" -- a passenger overheard from a CNG driver on his way to a bookshop in Gulshan.
• "The two parties are showing off at the cost of people's lives and properties in the race of grabbing power. But interestingly, leaders of both the parties will feast at the same table once things are settled," said an official bound for Comilla on Saturday.
• "In the face of political instability ordinary people lay down their lives making no meaningful difference for themselves leaving their families in dire helplessness while politicians harvest the crop finally," said a frontline sports organiser while watching the street battle between police and activists in the satellite TV channels./
• "Ramadan was a month of restraint but as soon as it ended people just jumped into violence. It seems as if Ramadan did not teach us anything," from an elderly man at Karwan Bazar.
• "The moon was sighted on Monday but Jamat celebrated Eid on Wednesday to embarrass [Leader of Islami Oikkojot Fazlul Haque] Amini," overheard in the city.
• "Tarique will leave the country as soon as the army takes over" was heard in an adda.
• "A state of emergency can be declared as the situation is spiralling out of control and political activities can be banned if the talks fail," was overheard at an office.