Praying for calm

It is unfortunate and ominous that the incident of August 20 on Dhaka University campus did occur. However, the authorities concerned took swift and proper action to arrest the protests that subsequently took place from developing into anything more.
It is more or less common knowledge that CTG is already passing its days in tension because of pressure of issues like price hike of essential items, galloping inflation, post-flood rehabilitation of more than ten million people, bringing corruption down to a minimum level and holding a free, fair and credible election by December 2008.
In addition, the uncertainty of legitimising their decisions by the next parliament is also agitating its thoughts.
Truly speaking, this government is surviving on the good will of the common people. If the people get any wrong signal because of some indiscreet acts of its partner armed forces (or the police, for that matter) the ability of the government to remain effective will be lessened.
People are silent because they are watching and waiting for election. Failure of CTG would lead to a grave crisis. Thus, no provocative action can be allowed by the government. All out efforts may be taken to cool down the rage of the students and teachers of DU through consultation among student leaders, vice chancellor and teachers, senior army officers, and designated adviser of CTG immediately. Such consultation brooks no delay.
The armed forces may realise that it is a tricky business when they are doing something even for the benefit of the people, because in doing such jobs they may be hurting the interest of some people who will certainly try to obstruct them so that they are spared of their possible loss. The government knows well that due to its strong drive some corrupt but powerful people have been badly affected financially and socially. These people are either serving sentences, or under trial or absconding or their charge-sheets are under proper processing. Some extortionists are either hiding or under trial. Their lifestyle has been badly affected.
It is fairly clear that some major parties may lose their supporters because of increasing exposure of misdeeds like corruption, extortion, land-grabbing, tax evasion or illegal arms handling of some of their stalwarts. As such, they may try hard for failure of the government as early as possible. They may have even approached some law makers in certain countries such as US, UK, Canada and Germany with cooked up facts and figures to convinced them about abuse of human rights by the CTG. They may not even hesitate trying to stop remittance of Bangladeshi expatriates. It is reported that Khaleda Zia has advised some BNP activists abroad to agitate for release of her son Tarique Rahman.
It would be unjust if we ignore the contributions of students from 1940s. In fact Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a front-ranking student leader till 1947. In the liberation movement of Bangladesh the students not only actively participated in large numbers they also made great sacrifice in the war.
Even a dictator like Ziaur Rahman paid due importance to the students who could organise them as the largest and the strongest student body in Bangladesh. In throwing out dictator Ershad, the students played the dominant role. Thus, students are intimately involved in restoring democracy for which the CTG and the armed forces are now striving hard.
The Chhatra Sangram Parishad has come up with the following demands:

• Immediate dismissal of the accused army personnel.
• Withdrawal of army and police all academic institutions.
• Release of arrested students.
• Reinstating the constitutional
• rights of the people.

It is learnt that teachers of DU have agreed with the demands of the students. One of the difficulties in handling this incident is that the armed forces are not under the chief adviser. They are under the president, as per the provision of our constitution. However, we do not think it may pose any big problem because this government is jointly run by civilians and the military. Both are responsible for successful running of the government.
It is reported that both army and police have already been withdrawn from the DU campus. They are, however, patrolling the campus from outside. The demand for free treatment of injured students appears to be reasonable. As for disciplinary action against the accused army personnel, the army will doubtless take the necessary steps. In regard to lifting of emergency, it may be little delayed due to this ominous incident because it is reported that the students were joined by a number of displaced vendors, hawkers, small shopkeepers and college students.
In view of the grim situation, the CTG did not have any other option except to impose curfew in Dhaka city and five other divisional headquarters. Needless to say that if no peaceful atmosphere prevail during the preparation of the voter list, election may be delayed and commitment of holding election by December 2008 may not be possible.
Thus our fervent appeal will be to all concern to remain calm and cool during the coming 16 months. We wish to utilise the opportunity (under the CTG) to banish the land-grabbers, tree-cutters (officials of forest department), constructers of illegal structures, and tax evaders. Let us wish for a successful solution of the crisis arising out of misunderstanding between DU students and some military personnel.

The writer is a former joint secretary.