CALLS from all quarters, both national and international, for dialogue between the government and the opposition has apparently fallen on deaf ears. As we approach the 50th day of the blockade coupled with near-continual hartals enforced by the 20-party alliance, the economy continues to bleed and the general populace suffer. The recent initiative by prominent members of civil society to urge some sort of dialogue to end the political impasse was summarily spurned by the government. Various foreign mission heads have tried and failed so far to impress upon both leaders of the opposition and the government to sit for talks. The UN chief has written letters in a similar vein to the two leaders as has US Secretary of State John Kerry.

This is disheartening to say the least. Are we then to understand that the present state of affairs is here to stay and we will settle our differences on the streets through might? The government's rejectionist reaction is ill-conceived. What we would like to know is if talks are off the table, then precisely how the government intends to stop the violence. The fate of the country, its people and the economy is at stake here. Every day of continued violence means more bloodshed and losses to the economy in the present besides the opportunity cost entailed. The universal norm in resolving political differences is talking things over the negotiation table. That remains the bottom line.