PM's distancing act

THE decision taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down as the organisational chief of Awami League's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), following the latter's notorious activities across the campuses, has been received with mixed reaction by people in general. We would like to believe that it is not merely an expression of disgust but one of determination to cry a halt to BCL tyranny that has been wreaking havoc as much on higher education as people's confidence in the credibility of the ruling party and the government.
It is no secret now that the internecine brawls that have been taking place at regular intervals among the various factions of BCL had no noteworthy cause. Groups of unruly, even knife-wielding students, fought over taking control of the organisational hierarchy, including business tenders, hostel seats, admission of new students and so on. The continued anarchy created stumbling blocks for the new government to ensure law and order on educational campuses. The recent premeditated killing of a BCL activist in a Dhaka Medical College hostel was the last straw on the camel's back, which left the nation aghast at the level of animosity prevailing between various factions in BCL.
The PM's directive to law enforcement agencies to take stern action against so-called student leaders and activists involved in criminal activities, extortion and tender manipulation should be carried out to the hilt, we suggest, under the watch of the PMO. The role of a bystander that the police played so far should transform now into energetic action against the hoodlums.
What the BCL wayward did ought to be treated as criminal offence and be tried under the law of the land. The PM's distancing herself from the AL student wing, unless followed up by strict and deterrent action, might turn out to be merely cosmetic. Hence, we would like to suggest that she should be firm in her pursuit of a long-lasting cure of the malady so that it does not reincarnate in any form or shape. Importantly, we believe, the PM and AL should keep the people informed about the actions taken against the rowdy elements of BCL.