Violence reaching critical threshold

By any standard, the ratcheted up violence over the last few days has been unprecedented. Although exact figures vary, scores of people have been killed and an innumerable number injured which include ordinary citizens, political activists and alarmingly a growing number of law enforcers. In such a situation, the government's claim that it can quell the disturbances using law enforcement agencies appears somewhat exaggerated. If their approach so far is any indicator then it leaves room for more judicious handling. They are arrayed against desperately virulent elements that stop short of nothing to engage in clashes.
One may differ with the Home Minister's observation that this is merely a law-and-order situation. By any count, it is anything but that. This is a political problem that must be settled politically, not through use of force. The situation is boiling to a point where there is little alternative but to hold a dialogue to defuse tension.
In such types of violent showdowns, the government usually gives regular press notes. That is the standard way to assure people of how the government intends to solve the situation; what measures are being taken, and so on and so forth. Certainly the situation cannot be allowed to go on in this no holds-barred-manner. Incalculable damage is being caused to the economy. Lives of citizens are being imperiled and life as we know it is under serious threat.
Curiously, the parliament is now largely redundant due to the absence of the opposition at such an hour of need. Being the seat of democracy, it is the parliament where opposition parties need to go to and make their voices heard on issues agitating the minds of the people. Equally important is the need for government MPs to speak out in the House. We must hope that the main contending political forces take lessons from the past that violence solves nothing, but begets more violence.