एदितोरिअल: Bomb explosion sequel

Bomb explosion sequel
Stop blame-game, catch कल्प्रिट्स

THE powerful bomb blasts in Dinajpur city last Thursday, just a day after the Eid-ul-Azha, raked up some of the memories of a series of explosions in cinema halls during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays a few months back। Though this time, fortunately, the blasts did not cause any widespread damage in terms of human casualties, the scene and the timing of the blasts should not be overlooked। The bombs seemingly went off while being made in a tin shed house which had been allegedly rented by members of an Islamic group called Za'amatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (ZMB). Police also recovered shutter guns, revolver, cartridges, time-bomb circuit and leaflets containing militant messages. It is worthwhile to mention that closely on the heels of Dinajpur blasts, activities of a militant outfit called Shahadat-e-Al-Hikma in Rajshahi have been banned.
There is a belief that the bombs were probably being made to attack some cultural and other programmes that were to be held after Eid celebrations. In fact some organisers said that they had been asked to call off the programmes or face dire consequences. With so many clues available, it should not be difficult for the investigators to get to the bottom of these blasts and track down those responsible. But on a hindsight, we wonder why the police did not allow newsmen near the scene of occurrence and also snatched the camera from a photographer on duty. Not only that, according to a highly placed police official, the organisation had been doing its 'underground work' for more than a year! If they had this information with them, then why did they not take any action against it until now? A high district official's reported expression of relief that the blasts did not occur at a public place only highlighted the local administration's intelligence failure to nip clandestine activities in their bud.
The authorities have not been able to solve any of the previous bomb explosion incidents that had cost many lives and put our image on the line. Because of the blame game the ruling and opposition parties play against each other in such circumstances, the real culprits have always gotten away. But things ought to be different when the failure to solve the mysteries does not only reflect on our forensic abilities but also our image. Our bottomline counsel to the government would be a reiteration of what we have been urging lately: go seek assistance from reputed international intelligence agencies to ferret out the masterminds behind the bomb explosions in the country which have occurred in a pattern.