Fighting the fear factor

Most observers would perhaps agree that a negative fallout of the recent grisly terrorist attack at a Gulshan restaurant has been the steady spread of fear affecting the lives of citizens. Residents of Gulshan area will tell you that the number of customers at various restaurants and food-joints in their neighborhood has decreased sharply since the July 1 incident. The situation has been further aggravated by the closure of some eateries that were reportedly in business without valid papers.

Elsewhere in the city other establishments including higher educational institutions like universities that were allegedly operating violating the mandated requirements have been asked to close down. In particular, the private universities that were operating out-campuses without authorisation have to close down forthwith. This would, in practical terms, mean the termination of academic pursuits of hundreds of students with attendant inconveniences. 

The terrorist incident in question may not have directly caused the closure of eateries or educational institutions but as the closure has come on the heels of the gruesome incident, a sense of fear has gripped the minds of apprehensive residents. Nobody knows for sure as to how hundreds of potential displaced students of out-campuses of private universities would be provided with adequate relief.

In addition to the above, the law enforcement machinery has stepped-up in frequency of search operations in the non-family messes in different parts of the city and outlying districts, as part of the anti-terror drive. This has also resulted in considerable unease and apprehension. While the imperative of such search cannot be questioned, one may have to admit that single accommodation for working men and women falls far short of the actual requirements.

The pertinent question is, shall we resign to destiny and remain frozen with the fear of the terrorist attack? In other words, shall residents of Dhaka and elsewhere suspend a good part of their normal activities? The desirable answer shall be no because suspension or curtailment of the usual functions would ensure the victory of terrorists who want us to stay indoors and thus not venture out to protest their patently irreligious acts. Like residents of many terrorist incident-affected places of the western world we must venture out of our homes and conspicuously defy the threat and intimidation of the terrorists.

While investigation into the terror incidents shall go with full swing with a view to bringing the perpetrators and the masterminds to open trial, all other businesses shall be conducted as usual. This would mean that restaurants and food joints shall be frequented in large numbers and places of entertainment like the theaters and the cinema halls should continue to attract the usual audiences. The attraction of the variety of food at Dhaka eateries must hold. We have to prove to the outside world and also to ourselves that despite the ravages caused by a few deviants Dhaka retains its friendly charm.

Let us remind ourselves that clamping down restrictive orders and issuance of prohibitory directives in increasing numbers would betray a reactive state of mind that is not looking into the fuller dimension of the terror phenomenon. Since the community has to be involved in the rooting out strategy, residents have to know about the doable on their part. Therefore, the visibility of men, women, and children in their usual course of activities, especially the recreational ones would be a definite indicator of normalcy. Once Bangladeshis are out in numbers our friends from abroad would shake off their unease and ambivalence.

Can we think of not closing down the establishments and institutions at least for some time? Surely heaven will not fall if the long-existing irregular establishments continue to remain in business till say 31st December 2016. In the meantime all concerned can get their act together to create a legally bearable and congenial environment. We need to understand the tactical disadvantages resulting from a sudden heavy-handed approach.

While the community ventures to return to a state of normalcy, the enforcement authorities must make adequate complementary arrangements that aid in infusing the sense of security. Securing the probable target areas and objects without being offensively restrictive should not be a difficult proposition. The reach and capability of the terrorists are not that extensive as has been given to understand. The members of public carrying out their daily life activities also need to know the capability of their protectors. 

The Gulshan attack may have taken us by surprise and the brutalities committed shocked residents beyond imagination but the subsequent Kalyanpur raid should instill sufficient confidence about the preparedness of the law enforcement agencies. Armed with public support and intelligence it is time to take the fight to the very dens of the terrorists and strike fear in the hearts of real and potential bigoted criminals.

Resumption of normal socio-economic activities with the support of adequate protective measures would be an effective antidote to potential terrorist attacks. The emphasis should be on prevention and the entire exercise shall not be a temporary regime-centric effort. Relentless pursuit of the bigoted terrorist shall be an overarching priority because there is a real threat to the constitutionally mandated way of our life.

The writer is a columnist of The Daily Star.