Sensitised society fights crimes better

The murder of Sohagi Jahan Tonu is still shrouded in mystery. Many suspect that the autopsy carried on her body was done casually in order to suppress the real cause of death. Also the failure on the part of the law enforcement agencies to track down the murderer/s has heightened the suspicion that the apparent lack of seriousness is indication enough of a deliberate attempt to send the incident into collective oblivion.
Fortunately, this has not happened. In death, the student of Comilla Victoria College and a cultural activist has occupied greater space in collective memory. Programmes like protest rallies, human chains, sit-in demonstrations, collection of signatures were held all across the country on Tuesday. Apart from students of educational institutions, cultural organisations have been expressing their resentment at the indifferent  probe approach to the incident of murder. People felt still more irked because of the harassment of the members of Tonu's family.
The good thing is that the authorities have taken the message and the detective branch (DB), Comilla now has to hand over the case to the criminal investigation department (CID). Also, Tonu's body was exhumed for another autopsy following a court order. There was every chance of delegating the case to the back burner but for the vociferous and continuous protests all across the country.
One can hardly remember when a murder of a girl prompted people, students in particular, to raise their voice so powerfully last. The rape and murder of Yasmin by men in uniform 21 years ago sensitised people all over Bangladesh. As many as 17 people fell dead when the police opened fire on a demonstration in Dinajpur protesting police denial of rape and murder on August 29, 1995. That protest led to the framing of a case against the three policemen two years later and awarding punishment to them after trial.
In recent times protest sparked against the gang rape of a paramedical student in a bus in Delhi, the Indian capital, and her death later was equally inclusive and widespread. That incident has been instrumental in making laws on sexual violence more stringent in India. Sadly, the laws have not made an impact on curbing such offences in that country. Once the capital of Paschimbango was considered a safe haven for girls and women even at dead of night but it is no more. A number of shocking rape incidents has proved the city otherwise.
Clearly, laws are an ineffective tool if repugnance against a crime by society in general fails to reverberate through its fabrics. What is happening is that violence against women -- sexual or otherwise -- has almost become a day-to-day event that people feel unconcerned about. Not that the rapists are not meted out the punishment they deserve. But in the few cases this happens, the process is so long that by the time the verdict is pronounced not many are interested in the outcome any more.
In most cases, though, the criminals are granted bail and they threaten the victims or their families of dire consequences if they did not withdraw the court cases. In some other instances, the powerful side with the criminals, assuring that they would settle the matter locally in exchange for monetary compensation. In still other cases, the victims are not allowed to get out of home and file cases by powerful parents or guardians of the violators.
The tragedy is that rich and influential parents of their derailed sons protect the offenders or political or even so-called religious clouts are brought to play in order to protect the rapists and murderers. Cases are framed in so weak a manner that a number of loopholes are left in order for the violators or murderers to come out unscathed from the trial in court.
This is where the collective failure is. Immoral and debased themselves, parents protect their perverted sons on the one hand and local political or religious leaders twist things for some monetary gains on the other. The law enforcers take the cue from them and divert the proceedings of such cases in such a way that the criminals go scot-free.
It is exactly at this point, society should rise up against such intrigues and ill manoeuvring. Or the rot set cannot be corrected. The law enforcement agencies will of necessity be attentive to the grievances of the people if only the latter can prove their sincerity and sense of purpose. Tonu's murder has made a telling impact on society. People who have never heard of the girl's name now identify themselves with her. Girls like her in the capital and elsewhere carry placards on which is inscribed 'I'm Tonu'. Parents all over in cities and towns have been moved enough to claim her as their daughter.
This is where the dead girl has turned out to be a symbol of a slain family member of all across this nation and in the process a guiding force. This is how a nation becomes one in protesting against injustice or claiming something their own. The nation should not back out of expressing their collective desire for justice. If they stand rock solid behind each such incident of murder, rape and violence, the perpetrators will know there is no place for them in society. Society is larger and stronger than vested quarters and if it can claim its rightful place, crimes of all types will diminish to the minimum.   
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