The right to self defence

When supernumerary professor Abul Kalam Fazlul Huq, father of slain publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan, makes it explicit that he felt not so much insecure at any other time except during the Liberation War, he perhaps gives vent to a feeling of most free thinking people. It is not only the systematic attacks on bloggers, publishers and writers but also the most daring swoop on police check posts that have set the alarm bell ringing.

The message is loud and clear now: that the attackers cannot be stopped and even the law enforcers deployed are selectively targeted. When a lone policeman was hacked to death at Gabtoli check post, the incident could be passed off as an act of underworld groups engaged in smuggling of narcotic or other contraband substances. But now that a contingent of four members of the law enforcement agency has come under attack with one left dead and another seriously injured, the manner and pattern are all familiar to indicate who these attackers are.

The depth of pain, frustration, helplessness and futility of seeking justice for murder of Dipan forced Professor Fazul Huq to utter that he did not look for justice for his son's murder. It is a father's agony and turbulence within soul that is beyond measure. Avijit's wife Banya also made a similar emotional statement. Not that the near and dear ones of the victims have been trying to shield themselves against the ruthless attackers but it is the futility of the exercise that has prompted them to condemn themselves into utter pessimism.

However, power wielders who should have read in it unreserved no-confidence in them have missed the point. They have been using the issue politically little aware that the common people do not approve of attitudes like this. On issues involving attack on free thinking, the authorities have not been able to give a good account of themselves. Leave all other considerations, these are cases of murder. For argument's sake, let us accept that the murdered youths -all were in their prime of life - have committed something wrong. This does not recommend that they be punished by assailants who are reportedly doing so in the name of religion.

If the writers and publishers are guilty any way, let them face the law of the land. They cannot be left unprotected to the mercy of those who take law into their own hands. The greatest attitudinal flaw lies there. Even a criminal has the right to defend himself or herself in the court of law. But bloggers and now publishers have no such right to defend themselves. The authorities have so long given this to understand that these youths are inviting the troubles on their own and deserve what they are getting. What a dangerous attitude on the part of people in power! The young men are pronounced guilty before any trial against them. Rumour rather than fact has labelled them anti-religion.

The reluctance to pursue such cases is all too evident. The latest news is that the Labonya, a transgender, has left Dhaka for an unknown destination. It was this foolish person who caught hold of two attackers of Washiqur, another murdered blogger near Begunbari. By the way, the follow-up of that case is not a very strong agenda. Why?

Clearly, the attackers are proving more and more successful in striking terror in the hearts of people. The murder of police will only add to the fear psychosis now pervading the thin air of this country.

The police have been asked to shoot in self defence. Anyone will do so in the face of ultimate threat. This is no news. What is news is that the law enforcers can shoot if they have bullets loaded in their rifles but when they have not, the question of shooting becomes irrelevant. The four-man contingent of the police had no bullet with them. From now on they are expected to have loaded guns. But what will writers or bloggers or publishers do? They do not even have guns -bullet or no bullet.