The Rupganj incident and lessons to be learnt
Monday, 1 November 2010
Shamsher Chowdhury
TERROR and fear still stalk the people of Rupganj. This time it is fear and panic created by members of the law enforcing agencies. It is our impression that irrespective of the outcome, the scars of Rupganj will persist for a long time to come.
In the meantime, there is no denying of the fact that as a sequel to the incident, the image of the army and the administration, once again has suffered a set back.
The Rupganj incident has given rise to some pertinent questions to which the administration is obligated to provide answers to the public for its own good and for the sake of transparency of its operations. Public need to know about the general policy on land acquisition for use of the army, be it for housing or otherwise. As members of the public have been confronted with such a project for the first time, it was the duty of the government to keep the public duly informed about the matter through due publicity involving the entire media and through means.
Coming to the scene of the incident, one wonders how critical was it for the army to set up camps at site? Incidentally these days we do come across makeshift camps at a few intersections of the capital city though far and between. Notice one such camp right adjacent to Hotel Sonargaon as you proceed to Panthapath from the East. One might ask as to why that should be of any real concern to any body. Normally it should not be the case but people at large, of late, starting from the coming of the caretaker government to date have not been favourably disposed to the army since the debacle that took place between the students of the University of Dhaka and some personnel of the army during the army backed-caretaker regime.
Viewed from another perspective, it must be said that the army in recent times have been subject of controversy. Even some insiders, who hold senior positions within the army or retired during the past decade or so tell us that the chain of command in the Army has become full of controversy. If one were to ask as to who is at fault, it is our impression, leaderships both at state level and the army.
It has all along been a bad policy getting the army involved in civil administration though not in this particular instant or the civilian sector as a whole. After all it is time tested and a proven fact that the ways of living both in style and content between the army and the civilians are poles apart. Admittedly the army consists of our own brothers and sisters but by training and upbringing it is in character quite a different entity from that of the civilians.
Let us also remember that there exists a perception amongst the public at large that the army is unduly pampered, although it is not wholly true. The perception is rather misplaced. Consider the fact that the remunerations, the perks and the overall living conditions as provided by the state is no different from what is with the armies of the region including those of other Third World countries. The other problem has been with the army and the state that both often play into the hands of each other, on occasions, often alleged that the objective being -- share power and authority for mutual benefits. We must realize that by and large majority of the country may live in the villages and appear naïve but they are no fools.
Irrespective of whatever the enquiry committee or committees may come up with the Rupganj incident, it is indicative of the fact that for one reason or the other people are growing restive. Even if there was provocation by some vested groups, the fact remains that in general the whole matter was poorly handled by all concerned. One wonders with the presence of the police and the RAB what was the need for the army to be involved so extensively leading to firing into the crowd? There is growing tendency with this administration to resolve contentious issues through brutal force and intimidation. One wonders in the process why do we often come across involvement of the army (The Chittagong port)?
The Rupganj incident, the torching of the train at Sirajganj, the murder of Upazilla Chairman at Natore all have one thing in common failure of the administration in effectively dealing with random rising of mob violence, leading to heightened law and order situation, although it is our feeling that these incidents go beyond law and order situation in the traditional sense of the term.
On the other hand people are also weary of the subsequent process of investigations. Often it follows a pattern that appears to be rather biased and incomplete giving rise to suspicion in the minds of the public. Not only that these investigations are often marred by partisan considerations and heavily politicized.
Let the Rupganj incident be the last of its kind so that social and economic activity and the normal process of living may continue uninterrupted. Let the people live in peace and harmony. For that, the administration should behave and act more responsibly from here onwards. The terrorizing of the people of the locality should cease forthwith. One wonders why all male folks of the locality are away from their homes particularly during night time allegedly to avert arrests. Surely excesses have been committed by both parties. Then why only the residents of the locality are to be worried thus and live in a state of panic?
They say, are we really? You cannot establish democracy by repressing or terrorizing people in any form. To say that some vested interest groups or the opposition is responsible for the "uprising" is not good enough.
E-mail:
chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com
TERROR and fear still stalk the people of Rupganj. This time it is fear and panic created by members of the law enforcing agencies. It is our impression that irrespective of the outcome, the scars of Rupganj will persist for a long time to come.
In the meantime, there is no denying of the fact that as a sequel to the incident, the image of the army and the administration, once again has suffered a set back.
The Rupganj incident has given rise to some pertinent questions to which the administration is obligated to provide answers to the public for its own good and for the sake of transparency of its operations. Public need to know about the general policy on land acquisition for use of the army, be it for housing or otherwise. As members of the public have been confronted with such a project for the first time, it was the duty of the government to keep the public duly informed about the matter through due publicity involving the entire media and through means.
Coming to the scene of the incident, one wonders how critical was it for the army to set up camps at site? Incidentally these days we do come across makeshift camps at a few intersections of the capital city though far and between. Notice one such camp right adjacent to Hotel Sonargaon as you proceed to Panthapath from the East. One might ask as to why that should be of any real concern to any body. Normally it should not be the case but people at large, of late, starting from the coming of the caretaker government to date have not been favourably disposed to the army since the debacle that took place between the students of the University of Dhaka and some personnel of the army during the army backed-caretaker regime.
Viewed from another perspective, it must be said that the army in recent times have been subject of controversy. Even some insiders, who hold senior positions within the army or retired during the past decade or so tell us that the chain of command in the Army has become full of controversy. If one were to ask as to who is at fault, it is our impression, leaderships both at state level and the army.
It has all along been a bad policy getting the army involved in civil administration though not in this particular instant or the civilian sector as a whole. After all it is time tested and a proven fact that the ways of living both in style and content between the army and the civilians are poles apart. Admittedly the army consists of our own brothers and sisters but by training and upbringing it is in character quite a different entity from that of the civilians.
Let us also remember that there exists a perception amongst the public at large that the army is unduly pampered, although it is not wholly true. The perception is rather misplaced. Consider the fact that the remunerations, the perks and the overall living conditions as provided by the state is no different from what is with the armies of the region including those of other Third World countries. The other problem has been with the army and the state that both often play into the hands of each other, on occasions, often alleged that the objective being -- share power and authority for mutual benefits. We must realize that by and large majority of the country may live in the villages and appear naïve but they are no fools.
Irrespective of whatever the enquiry committee or committees may come up with the Rupganj incident, it is indicative of the fact that for one reason or the other people are growing restive. Even if there was provocation by some vested groups, the fact remains that in general the whole matter was poorly handled by all concerned. One wonders with the presence of the police and the RAB what was the need for the army to be involved so extensively leading to firing into the crowd? There is growing tendency with this administration to resolve contentious issues through brutal force and intimidation. One wonders in the process why do we often come across involvement of the army (The Chittagong port)?
The Rupganj incident, the torching of the train at Sirajganj, the murder of Upazilla Chairman at Natore all have one thing in common failure of the administration in effectively dealing with random rising of mob violence, leading to heightened law and order situation, although it is our feeling that these incidents go beyond law and order situation in the traditional sense of the term.
On the other hand people are also weary of the subsequent process of investigations. Often it follows a pattern that appears to be rather biased and incomplete giving rise to suspicion in the minds of the public. Not only that these investigations are often marred by partisan considerations and heavily politicized.
Let the Rupganj incident be the last of its kind so that social and economic activity and the normal process of living may continue uninterrupted. Let the people live in peace and harmony. For that, the administration should behave and act more responsibly from here onwards. The terrorizing of the people of the locality should cease forthwith. One wonders why all male folks of the locality are away from their homes particularly during night time allegedly to avert arrests. Surely excesses have been committed by both parties. Then why only the residents of the locality are to be worried thus and live in a state of panic?
They say, are we really? You cannot establish democracy by repressing or terrorizing people in any form. To say that some vested interest groups or the opposition is responsible for the "uprising" is not good enough.
E-mail:
chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com