Beware of rumor mongers
The country is passing through very critical times. Admittedly, nerves are frayed and tempers are bound to run high when we are faced with an issue that influences the collective psyche of the nation. And such a moment as this calls for every one of us to retain rationality and exercise the utmost caution in our words and actions against all provocations.
A situation like this is bound to be exploited by the nation's enemies. Regrettably, the situation has been confounded by dragging religion into an issue that revolves around the call for awarding the maximum penalty to the convicted war criminals. And there is an insidious move by some elements who are trying to portray Shahbagh as being anti-Islam.
There is an apprehension that Jamaat may use new tactic to precipitate the situation, where violence may be incited by deliberately using inflammatory language against religion, and to which the simple minded God fearing people might succumb.
A case in point here is what happened in Singair on Monday. We are given to believe that misleading messages were broadcast over the public address system there at a time when the anti and pro-hartal groups were chasing one another. The message had hurt the sensitivities of the local people. The result was police firing that unfortunately cost the lives of four people and left more than 50 injured including many policemen. And none of them belonged to any political party, according to the locals.
At a time like this we must guard against rumor mongers and rumor mongering. And this is where the leadership, particularly at the local and grass roots levels, should exercise their influence to sober people's anxieties. This we know can be done by cutting across party lines for the sake of the nation's security. And only a united stance against those who want to undo the nation deflate the trouble mongers' ill motivations.
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