The government, however, has claimed that it is not aware of any such development. That is, of course, all the more reason for us to feel worried. Even the state minister for home affairs said that he had learnt about the rally from newspaper reports.

We believe the issue of Islamic militants staging a comeback is not apparently being treated with seriousness. There are some points that must be considered before the issue can be placed in the right perspective. The Islamic militants adopted a threatening posture and made their presence felt by launching some violent attacks on their perceived enemies. The situation reached a point where the government had to make some very determined efforts to counter the threat. The campaign against the militants led to some of their leaders being arrested from different parts of the country.

A mood of complacence set in, as the law enforcers continued their forays into the militant hideouts. But why should they believe that the worst is over and that the militants would never try to reorganise themselves? A brief survey of such militancy across the globe would instantly reveal that the fanatic groups have great resilience and are hard to knock off.

The law enforcement agencies have been instructed to remain alert and ready to foil any subversive activities. However, they cannot possibly succeed in their mission if any well-known militant leader can still hold a rally in the capital city. Is the government showing the same indifference that actually allowed the militant outfits the time to gain strength in the past?

The reported comeback of Harkatul has to be viewed as a sign of the militants regrouping themselves. And the law enforcers have to take the same tough course to subdue them as they did while launching an all-out drive against such groups.