The government, which forced peaceful protests for a legitimate cause into violence that left more than 200 people dead, now appears to be playing to the gallery in what might be called a damage control effort. The prime minister on July 28 distributed financial assistance to families of 34 people killed in during the protests. This is unbelievable that the families that lost their members to indiscriminate police firing and mob violence would be willing to accept financial assistance from the government. There, the prime minister, as usual, shed tears and blamed the 鈥榗ulprits鈥�, not the activists of her party鈥檚 student front and the police, for the murderous episode. Understandably, the law enforcement agencies and the civil administration took them to the prime minister鈥檚 official residence. This is evidently nothing more than playing to the gallery. The government which has so far played down the killing of the protesters and focused on vandalism to create a partisan narrative to justify its brutal action manifestly began playing to the gallery in the wake of wide criticism and scorn at home and abroad against its misdeeds. Such an approach, in fact, appears unpalatable, especially as the authorities have continued their repressive attitude, reflected in the continued arrest, detention and torture of a few hundred students and about 10,000 leaders, activists and supporters of political parties in the opposition.
The Detective Branch has, meanwhile, circulated a video message of six coordinators of the movement, now in its custody, where they are heard to have announced the withdrawal of the protests. The detained leaders were seen in the video eating with the top Detective Branch boss, which is yet another instance of playing to the gallery. The statement, evidently made under duress, has only sparked a bitter reaction from the students who rejected the statement and vowed to continue with their movement. The Detective Branch earlier detained the six coordinators 鈥� at least three were picked up from a hospital where they were being treated for injuries that they suffered when they had been earlier picked up 鈥� to provide them with 鈥榩rotection鈥�. This is plainly hypocritical as some of the coordinators allege having been picked up and tortured by the law enforcement agencies. The law enforcement agency also denied media access to the conveners and had not allowed the families to meet them before the statement were issued. All this abundantly shows that the statement was taken under duress. The High Court, in an observation on July 29, also criticised some action of the Detective Branch. The government, meanwhile, on July 28 disclosed that 147 people were killed in violence during the student protests. When the media, with their limited capacity, have already verified more than 200 death, the government, with all its resources, coming up with a lower figure appears to be another attempt at playing down what has happened.
The government must realise that the damage it has caused is too large to control or cover by playing to the gallery. The government must abandon all repressive measures and stop the wholesale arrest of students and opposition people. It must also free the detained conveners and students and accept their legitimate demands, including the arrest of the real killers and bringing them to justice.
