Rising crimes

It makes my heart bleed every time I pick up a newspaper and read of rape, murder, muggings, dowry-bashings, torture, maiming, acid-throwing and an endless list of other crimes. If crime were an Olympic sport, Bangladesh would win most gold medals. There is no place in Bangladesh now that is safe, despite what the home minister and the police top-brass claim, and it is likely to get worse. The home minister has the audacity to tell us that crime has decreased since the present government came to power. Does she and this government take us for complete fools? Bangladesh well-wisher Sir Frank Peters demonstrated inarguable logic when he questioned on our behalf how authorities could claim crime had decreased when the majority of crimes were not even being recorded because the police demand 'buksheesh'. A police uniform in this country is a magnet for 'buksheesh' as many join the force just for the "extra benefits". And while this culture exists, it will never be possible for anyone to safely walk the streets. People felt much safer during the interim government with the army patrolling the streets. If democracy means lies, mistruths, deceit, rape, murder, muggings, torture, maiming, acid-throwing and an endless list of other crimes, you can keep it. Major Asikur Ali (retd) Mirpur, Dhaka. E-mail : major.asikur.ali@engineer.com