Polls-time violence is nothing new in Bangladesh. However, the recent incident in which a nine-month old child was allegedly killed in police firing after announcement of the election results of Bachor union parishad in Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon is unprecedented. On last Wednesday, when results of the election were reportedly announced at the VF Junior High School polling centre, supporters of a defeated candidate attacked police. At one point of the clash, police resorted to firing to control the situation. Unfortunately Suraiya Akter Asha, who was in her mother's arms at that time, was shot in the head and died instantly.
All deaths are painful. The death of the child is an irreparable loss for her parents. The question, however, is whether it is necessary for our law enforcers to fire bullets in response to stone-pelting? As per the law, several procedures have to be followed before firing bullets. There are specific situations where the police can use bullet. It is important to know whether the police are complying with the rules or not.
A proper investigation into the incident of police firing must be carried out. And a separate agency should conduct the probe against the police involved in the firing. If the police are found to have failed in discharging their duties, they should be brought to book.
Ashikujaman Syed,
Research Assistant,
Bioinformatics Research Lab,
Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID),
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com