Is this the last nail in the coffin of the much-hyped dialogue? This question has come up inevitably after the 72-hour hartal announcement by the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance and subsequent government’s drive against opposition leaders on Friday. The tough stance by the both sides have definitely complicated the ongoing political dynamics raising serious doubts over the prospect of any dialogue between the ruling party and the main opposition party to resolve, what the two sides claim, the ongoing crisis over the poll-time government issue.
No doubt the two major political parties have failed to live up to the aspirations of the people in general, who have been earnestly seeking a peaceful solution.
The situation took a turn for the worse on Friday evening when the Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up three standing committee members of BNP – Moudud Ahmed, MK Anwar and Rafiqul Islam Mia – from in front of Sonargaon Hotel in the capital shortly after 8pm when they were leaving the hotel after attending a function marking the 15th founding anniversary of Bengali Daily Prothom Alo.
The detective police also detained BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo and her special assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas when they were coming out of the chairperson’s residence around midnight.
Simultaneously police and DB conducted raids on the houses of some other senior leaders of the main opposition party in the capital.
The drive followed the opposition’s 72 hour hartal call from Sunday but as the news of the detentions spread, opposition activists went on violent protests across the country.
The opposition activists vandalised and torched vehicles, blasted crude bombs and clashed with police at different places.
And the overall situation has definitely taken a turn for the worse and become suffocating for the general public.
It is unfortunate that such things are happening at a moment when the both sides are claiming to be eager to take part in a dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Even on Friday,
Communications Minister Obaidul Kader and ruling Awami League presidium member Kazi Jafrullah said that they were waiting for dialogue. A day before, the prime minister publicly said that doors for talks were still open while the opposition leader said that she was waiting for talks.
In such a situation, the latest development is no doubt unexpected, unwarranted and shocking for the hard-working and peace-loving people of the country, who do not deserve to suffer due to the stupidity of the irresponsible politicians.
Courtesy of The Independent
