Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The latest event of street violence marked by arson attack on passenger bus is nothing but a dress rehearsal of another episode of brutal politics, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director (ED) of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) told The New Nation on Sunday.
A similar picture of brutal politics was also witnessed when Awami League (AL) was in opposition. On June 04, 2004, unknown assailants carried out an arson attack on a double-decker bus in front of Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, killing nine passengers and injuring 15 others.
“The cause of political violence emerges from a deep rooted political culture of intolerance, antagonism, revenge and arrogance. Both AL and BNP are flexing muscle on street again either to consolidate the power or to come back in power,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
He said, AL and BNP said that they are doing politics for the people and democracy. But what they saying are not reflecting in their practices, activities and attitudes.
“It is their zero sum power struggles, which is endangering citizens’ normal life, democracy and development,” he said, adding, “Such attitude and activities of the political parties is sending negative message among the new generation on party politics and democracy,” he said.
Commenting on the Jatrabari incident which burnt 29 bus passengers, he said, “Burning innocent people in the name of politics is not acceptable. Opposition parties must stop it immediately, otherwise, they will loose support of the people.”
He further said if the two leaders, Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia, fail to set aside their mutual hatred, personal agendas and confrontation style of politics, democracy will be the loser.
Both of them have already done considerable damage of the country. It is high time to realize the fact. They should sit for reconciliation, putting an end to a vicious cycle of politics, said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
Terming the current political situation as ‘grave,’ Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, former adviser of a caretaker government said, “Weeks-long countrywide blockade marked by unprecedented street violence, has created a deep sense of insecurity among the common man”. It has also severely affected economic activities across the country, he added.
“People do not feel safe at the movement using either public or private transport as petrol bombs are randomly hurled at moving vehicles, affecting their normal activities. If the situation is not improved immediately, it will have short-and long-term impact on the economy and could deter both foreign and local investment,” he said.
When asked, he said, the broader impact on the economy is almost impossible to predict, but will depend on how long unrest lasts. Mirza Azizul Islam, however, urged the rival parties to put an end of the current unrest considering interest of the people and economy.
The ongoing blockade enforced by BNP and its allies since January 5, has already killed 35 people across the country.
The latest protests called by Begum Khaleda Zia, who wants Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister, to resign and call fresh elections. Hasina has said her government will remain in office until her term ends in 2019.
Observers said that they are yet to see any positive sign to the end of current deadlock as AL and BNP remain adamant on their position ultimately pushing the country into deep crisis.
