Bangladesh: Militancy must be resisted

THE intelligence and the other law enforcing agencies must be congratulated for arresting several people linked to proscribed extremist groups. It has been a long time since such a large number of suspected militants, including foreigners, were apprehended. Among the 12 alleged arrested militants are a former Jamaat leader and an Afghan war veteran. Not only were they preparing to conduct subversive activities, they, reportedly, were also planning to carry out political assassination, with the purpose of, according to them, establishing Khelaft. If anyone was under a euphoric illusion that with the hanging of some HUJI members in 2006 we have seen the end of religious extremism in Bangladesh these arrests must have come as a rude awakening. We had been constantly harping on the need to keep a constant alert against extremist forces who, we feel, were in a suspended animation waiting for an opportune moment to strike. We are glad that they were trapped before they could strike. There is a clear message for our political leaders in these arrests. The extremists have thrived during periods of political unrest in the country in the past. And they have tried to exploit the present situation too, to attempt a comeback. We would hope that the political leaders would realise that the extremists are no friend of any political party. They have their own agenda, and perhaps use a recognised party to strut themselves up. And while the political parties were busy bickering among themselves, these groups have utilised the time and the political space to reorganise. The situation in the country, unfortunately, is rife for trouble-mongers to exploit the extremist elements to achieve their strategic aim. And while it would require the utmost alertness on the part of our own agencies to counter these elements, the two major parties must realise that the continued political unrest, among other adverse consequences, might render the country a happy hunting ground for religious militants.