Fear about a bigger wave of criminal activities
Thursday, 13 November 2008
AS it is, the perception is that crime is on the rise but people fear a bigger wave of criminal activities with the elections looming in the horizon. Why? Because they think, rightly or wrongly, that law enforcement will be lax and petty criminals will double as political workers, making the situation for more dangerous.
There have been instances when the victims end up dead. This is explained away as the muggers being not 'experienced' or 'seasoned' and panic when the victim struggles or tries to call for help.
Mugging is an everyday affair and it is getting closer to this letter writer as at least two people known to me have been 'hit'. One mugger even 'apologised' to a victim for hitting him on the neck with the butt of his handgun saying, "We're sorry uncle, but if you had not tried to run this would not have happened!" This 'uncle', a senior journalist was in a hurry and so hailed a yellow cab. Its driver suddenly changed directions with the excuse that something was wrong with the vehicle and it needed a minor repair. And everything happened within seconds as he drove into a poorly lit lane. Our friend lost his expensive mobile set and Tk 2000 in cash in addition to suffering a serious blow on his neck as mentioned. Then there is the trauma which continues for days.
This is just one example in dozens that happens in the capital city with its population of 15 million according to one estimate. It say dozens because it has been reported in the media by law enforcers themselves who do not want to give out their identities that many more crimes specially mugging go unreported. And why is that? This is because the victim wants to avoid the hassle in the legal system. They say the hassle begins with the police station and continues up to the courts and most of the time there is no result-just a lot of time, energy and money spent.
However, I would like to add here that I, for one, am keenly aware that the police are severely understaffed, they are seriously strapped and need far more resources to effectively control crime in a city with such a huge population.
Nevertheless, may I please request the law enforcement authorities to be more vigilant and do whatever they can even with their meagre resources to protect the common men and women from criminals?
Salma Akhter
Bijli Moholla
Mohammadpur
Dhaka
There have been instances when the victims end up dead. This is explained away as the muggers being not 'experienced' or 'seasoned' and panic when the victim struggles or tries to call for help.
Mugging is an everyday affair and it is getting closer to this letter writer as at least two people known to me have been 'hit'. One mugger even 'apologised' to a victim for hitting him on the neck with the butt of his handgun saying, "We're sorry uncle, but if you had not tried to run this would not have happened!" This 'uncle', a senior journalist was in a hurry and so hailed a yellow cab. Its driver suddenly changed directions with the excuse that something was wrong with the vehicle and it needed a minor repair. And everything happened within seconds as he drove into a poorly lit lane. Our friend lost his expensive mobile set and Tk 2000 in cash in addition to suffering a serious blow on his neck as mentioned. Then there is the trauma which continues for days.
This is just one example in dozens that happens in the capital city with its population of 15 million according to one estimate. It say dozens because it has been reported in the media by law enforcers themselves who do not want to give out their identities that many more crimes specially mugging go unreported. And why is that? This is because the victim wants to avoid the hassle in the legal system. They say the hassle begins with the police station and continues up to the courts and most of the time there is no result-just a lot of time, energy and money spent.
However, I would like to add here that I, for one, am keenly aware that the police are severely understaffed, they are seriously strapped and need far more resources to effectively control crime in a city with such a huge population.
Nevertheless, may I please request the law enforcement authorities to be more vigilant and do whatever they can even with their meagre resources to protect the common men and women from criminals?
Salma Akhter
Bijli Moholla
Mohammadpur
Dhaka