Secret killings haunt nation

The recent spate of abductions and secret killings has caused a stir, sense of insecurity and panic among the peace loving people of the country. In a democratic society, extra-judicial killings are totally unacceptable. No civilised society can allow such killings bypassing the judiciary. It is highly unethical and tantamount to violation of the country's Constitution. When secret killings and abductions go on unabated to eliminate political foes or opponents or anybody else, it only exposes the weakness in governance on the part of the government in power and deteriorating law and order situation of the country. In recent times, secret killings and abductions remind us of the 1973 and 1974 era when many people were picked up by a "special force,' then killed and some of them are traceless even today. Vested quarters within the government is allegedly trying to tarnish the image of the government abroad, especially the developed countries, with a malafide intention to thwart the development activities in the country to implement the blueprint of their mentors so that the nation remains dependent on others. It is known to all that a country in chaos and confusion can never prosper. To achieve prosperity, a peaceful atmosphere is a must. Political unrest, disunity and differences among the politicians over various issues stand in the way of development and discourage foreign direct investment. In recent times, abductions and secret killings have come to the fore. People irrespective of age and profession are being whisked away and killed and some remain traceless. In most cases, young people are picked up allegedly by plainclothesmen, claiming to be members of the law enforcement agencies. After some days of abduction, bodies of the some of the victims are found while the others remain traceless. After incidents of such heinous crimes, members of the law enforcement agencies play the role of mute spectators for reasons best known to them. If the law enforcers go on this way, people will lose faith in them. Their silence or inaction will give an upper hand to the criminals resulting in total anarchy in society. Members of the civil society and human rights bodies have already expressed their concern over the abductions and secret killings. In most cases of such kidnappings, it is alleged that the plainclothesmen do the job. If it is true, it is a matter of serious concern and if not, the government must take prompt action to get a clean chit. Press reports have it that 22 people disappeared during the 11 months since January this year. Of them, 11 were allegedly picked up by RAB, two by policemen, six by personnel of the detective branch of police and three by unidentified men. Families of the victims in the city and its suburbs pointed their fingers at the law enforcement agencies for the abductions. Of the total 22 abduction victims, the bodies of only 10 have so far been recovered. Quoting Saira Rahman Khan, founder member of human rights organisation, Odhikar, a local English daily reported in 2010 that at least 18 people went missing during that year, 14 of them were picked up allegedly by RAB, two by the police and the other two by DB (Detective Branch) personnel. Secret killings have reached such a pass that the families of the victims say that even death in a so-called "crossfire" is better. At least, the dead bodies of the "crossfire" victims are returned. This is their only consolation. Asked about the disappearance and secret killings, Inspector General of Police told a vernacular daily that many crimes were committed in the name of law enforcement agencies. This is a noble way of criminals to use the name of law enforcement agencies during committing such crimes. But he did not say what steps had been taken to curb the crimes or arrest the culprits. On November 28 this year, three Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders went missing from Hatirpool area in the city. Later, the police recovered two bodies from the river Dhaleswari in Munshiganj. According to the police and family sources of the victims, unidentified gunmen picked up Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary of JCD, Dhaka University unit Shamim Hassan Sohel, JCD president of DCC Ward No 50 Ismail Hossain and Masum Hossain on November 28 last. Two general diaries were lodged with Kalabagan police station in this connection. A former leader of Chhatra Union, KM Shamim Akhter, was picked up by unidentified gunmen in a microbus on September 29 last. The mother of Shamim alleged that her son was picked up by plainclothesmen identifying themselves as law enforcers. Since then he has been missing. BNP leader Chowdhury Alam was picked up by some people identifying themselves as RAB men on June 25, 2009. He has been missing since then. The democratic government entrusted with the task of ensuring the security of every citizen and running the country democratically must act properly and politicians irrespective of political ideology should come forward to curb this heinous act of secret killings with the popular support of the peace loving people. mriban@yahoo.com