Is there silver lining in the dark clouds?

It refers to the media reports that dispute over control of ruling party's student wing in closer to our capital, competition over getting the position of district president and mayor's voice against the drug trade and crimes are some of the reasons for the mayor's murder. Moreover, an intercity train was set on fire yesterday during demonstrations by the unruly student cadres to protest the murder of the mayor of the municipality. It is well known by all that the unruly student activists of the ruling party engage in illegal toll collection; attempt to dominate other factions, and clash over establishment of control over dormitories. All these can be reined in only if the prime minister plays a more serious role. Since taking office, she has announced on several occasions that her government would show zero tolerance for violence in the name of student politics. She also asked the law enforcers to go tough against the unruly student cadres involved in crimes. But in most cases, her directives went unheeded. They are deeply engaged in extortion, tender manipulation, admission trade and other crimes and they have dented the government's image in the last three years. The cadres operate with apparent impunity, as they have the backing of some influential AL leaders and ministers. The provision of moral and financial support to student leaders enhances the legitimacy of their political role on the campuses. Without the patronage of political parties, students' active participation in politics on the campus would not have been possible. The majority of the students is not involved in student politics and is more concerned with academic advancement. The student leaders, a considerable number of whom have adopted student politics as a vocation, look for opportunities to enhance the role of the parties they belong to, even if that means polluting the academic atmosphere. In many of the government run universities and in numerous colleges (non-professional, professionaltechnical) where student politics is in vogue some student groups dominate the show. The irony is that student bodies today are more political and ideological thanj academic. The issue deserves a closer look. They deplored that despite repeated warnings from the government and party high-ups, student cadres continue doing things that have been embarrassing the government from day one. These unruly elements on our campuses and elsewhere in the country can be controlled if the prime minister intervenes seriously. She must not confine herself to issuing warnings. She will have to follow through to make sure her directives are carried out. When can we see a silver lining in the dark clouds? Gopal Sengupta Canada Email: gopalsengupta@aol.com On wastage of electricity The High Court (HC) has recently issued a ruling upon the government relating to proper use of electricity. As a resident of Rashed Khan Menon Sarak in Ramna, I am sorry to point out that Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) switches on the street lights before 5:00pm that remains lighted till 7:00am and beyond. Now, proper monitoring of the stipulated time of street lights is the need of the hour. In another HC ruling Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK) officials were directed to declare their assets but what followed is not known. During the caretaker government more than 450 officials confessed to their guilt of making money illegally and deposited a portion to the government exchequer. The Awami League (AL) government should also make it mandatory for officials to declare their assets so that corrupt officials of the income tax department, Water Sewerage Authority (WASA), DCC, customs, police etc., could be identified. Mahmud Ali New Eskaton Road, Dhaka