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A Fight for Land and Livelihood
I am really grateful to Star Weekend for publishing a spotlight article on the Habiganj tea workers' movement. Being threatened by their own government of eviction without any compensation, these helpless, ultra poor tea workers' have been fighting for their ancestral land which provides them with the essential supply of food crops and a place to build shanties. I am really appalled to read that no one has come forward in support of the just movement of these poor, deprived people. We have won independence from the clutches of colonial rule but it is very unfortunate that we are repeating history by committing the same crimes that compelled us to fight against the oppressive, colonial rulers.    
Sabrina Farhad
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Runa Khan, Photo: Prabir Das

For the Right to Live with Hope and Dignity
The article titled "For the Right to Live with Hope and Dignity" (published January 15, 2016)  was really very inspirational. It depicted Runa Khan's inexorable desire to work for the destitute people of the northern districts in a splendid way. Runa's selfless initiatives and the Star Weekend's effort to reveal her struggle and contribution both are really praiseworthy. This lady's determination to ensure the rights and justice for the poverty ridden people inspired me a lot. Besides ensuring free health care services, Runa's dedication to provide quality education particularly drew my attention. By establishing schools with unique features and rich teaching-learning materials in the remotest areas of the country, she has set an unprecedented example of service and welfare. Her effort to spread the message of dignity and honour thorough education is also very necessary to build a self-sufficient, prosperous nation. I would like to read positive and inspirational stories like this one more in the Star Weekend and thanks a lot for letting us know about amazing initiatives of Runa Khan and her organisation 'Friendship'.
Ezaz Mahmud
University of Dhaka

Police Brutality on the Loose
The article titled "Police Brutality on the Loose" published last week (January 22, 2016) was an awakening piece for the general populace and for the police community as well. Some dishonest police officers with their so called formidable power have been defaming the entire police department. Police are meant to be our friend but in our country they have become a force of terror. The recent incidents of torture by the two police officers in a bid to extort money are really shameful incidents indeed. I think recruitment in the police division should come under such a stringent process so that dishonest and unqualified men cannot get into the police force anymore. A lot of criminal activities are being committed by the police officers everyday around the country but only a few can manage to come out in the media. Even after that guilty police officers can easily get away with their crimes due to mysterious reasons. This culture of impunity for the police officers should be stopped immediately for the sake of national peace and security.
Samiul Raijul
North South University, Dhaka