Hartal uncalled for and condemnable
THE two-day of hartal called by the Jamaat-e-Islami and that too 24-hour long ones are totally unacceptable. The court has given a verdict against accused Delwar Hossain Sayedee and it must be respected by all, including the party he belongs to. Hartals called and enforced by Jamaat during the last quarter of 2013 caused immeasurable suffering to both the people and the economy. The party's agitation programme is linked to organised terrorism and it cost the lives of 65 or so people last year. On the day of the verdict Jamaat activists proved once again that they care little for the rule of law creating havoc in the capital city.
Though the verdict has been deemed by some quarters as soft, it must nonetheless be respected. We are perplexed as to why the Jamaat is making life miserable by giving a two-day hartal. As a paper, we stand squarely against hartal. We are still recouping from the economic loss suffered during the last year right up to January 5, 2014 and finally seeing the first signs of recovery. This sudden declaration of hartal is a psychological tremor which we think is not just unnecessary but outrageous too. The fear in the public mind is that the party will try to cause panic by terrorising people and commit arson and other such activities in the name of defending their leaders. Authorities will be well within their rights to ensure security to people especially since they care so little for it.
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