The New Nation - Internet Edition

The post-election violence between rival Awami League and BNP political workers all over the country has so far claimed four lives and caused injuries to over 1000 persons, according to newspaper reports. The violence is escalating instead of diminishing despite call from Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and the adviser for home affairs.

The violence started very much on 29 December night when results of the elections were pouring in indicating a sweeping victory for the Awami League-led grand alliance. The attackers are storming homes of rival political workers, beating them up and damaging their property out of vengeance, witness accounts say.

In some cases revenge attacks are also taking place. The administration has so far taken punitive action against the officer in charge of Kaliakoir Thana of Kishoreganj for reported neglect of duty to prevent violence.

The attacks are very unfortunate. The incidents of violence may be covered up as outcome of political rivalry. But a close look would show that taking advantage of the present volatile situation and the period of transition people are trying to take possession of disputed property, and harass people over long-lasting family feud or hatred, or even snatch property of people using sheer physical prowess. Escalation of violence has been reported from Pabna, Chittagong, Chuadanga, Jessore,

Bagerhat, Barisal, Jhalakathi, Chandpur, Kishoreganj, Feni and many other districts.

The administration needs to take harsh measures against the perpetrators of violence which otherwise would carry the threat of going out of control in case the victims are left with no option but to defend themselves. Under such circumstances, no opposition candidates would be able to contest this month's Upazila elections.

There may be arguments of post-election violence of the past to justify the spate of violence now. But those who engage in physically hurting their neighbours or snatching their properties are known to be of not sound backgrounds. Many of them have criminal records. No law abiding and peace-loving citizen can engage in such heinous acts.

Leaders of the Awami League and its allies who have overwhelmingly won the election have a responsibility not only to make appeals to their workers to see to it that rival political workers or activists are not physically assaulted. They should activate their organisational networks and party leaders at different levels to persuade the misled ones from charting the destructive path.

Violence following election victory is a shame. It should be stopped at all costs.