Violence over a swimming pool?

The idea that a full-fledged battle can take place over the construction of a swimming pool seems bizarre but that is what happened at the Outer Stadium of MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong on Tuesday. We are shocked that such a violent clash could take place with members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) trying to vandalise the construction works of the said swimming pool. The confrontation between the law enforcers and activists turned ugly leaving at least 15 people, including two policemen, injured.

That the Chittagong Divisional Sports Association (CDSA) should be constructing a swimming pool in an adjacent area of the stadium seems to be a routine job for such a body. But why would several hundred members of the AL's student wing gather outside the Outer Stadium demanding that such construction be stopped? It is bewildering why the construction of a swimming pool, plausibly for the purpose of providing an extra facility to athletes and the public, would become the cause of such vehement protest that developed into violence and destruction.

It has been reported that the whole episode has been the result of intraparty feuding between two stalwarts of the ruling party which leaves the public feeling helpless and disillusioned. It is about time that the government reined in the unruly elements in the AL that are interfering with development works and security of the public with their total disregard for the rule of law. The public image of the ruling party is also at stake.