Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Crimes are terrible social burden. It is detrimental to society. In ancient ages when state did not exist, some forms of societies were in existence. Customs, norms and practices use to be laws of those societies. With the advancement of civilizations and the progress of economic and infrastructure development crimes have been increasing and getting complex. Standing on the threshold of the new millennium if we focus on the threats or challenges of globalization we can easily notice one of the most serious challenges to the society is that of organized crime which has posed a serious threat for economic, political & social institutions and hampered the peaceful life of the citizens.
At the same time, criminal undertakings have been discoursing domestic and foreign investments, adversely affecting the daily flow of economic activities and thus undermining the sound economic growth as well as political and social stability. Peace and stability is pre-requisite for economic development and development fortifies peace and stability. Both require a solid foundation of justice and are seriously undermined by inequities, corruption, social disorders and escalating crimes.
Increasing criminal phenomenon has, of late overtaken the social scenario in the both developed and developing countries as well as in Bangladesh. Crime and violence threaten internal peace, impair the very foundation of social life and cause deprivation to the enjoyment of some basic human rights, which in turn generate cynicism & apathy and provoke a loss of confidence in the capacity and willingness of the state to protect its subjects.
Organized crime is infiltrating into legitimate business and its roots have extended into financial system. Crimes diminish the prospect of balanced national growth; accentuate the income disparity and causes hardships to consumers due to diversion of resources meant for development purpose into illicit channels.
Now-a-days, talks about a new International Economic Order are being heard in various international forums. This new economic order is aimed at reducing the gap between the rich and the poor countries. It is now formally accepted that the goal of establishing peace and order and stability in the world will never be achieved as long as a greater segment of human race remains beset by the curse of hunger, poverty, disease and unemployment.
It is, however, to be kept in mind that the social and economic processes associated with all these development efforts are also giving rise to criminal propensities and if we are unable to keep a check on these propensities all our developmental efforts will come to naught. Today, it is necessary to remain conscious of the fact that the process of economic development also brings about some inevitable basic changes in the traditional pattern of life, some of the examples of these are weakening family ties, migration of up-rooted people from the rural to the urban areas and the growth of many civic problems like education, housing and sanitation etc.
On the other hand, population growth, food deficiency, unequal distribution of national income and ever increasing number of landless people have combined together to give rise to a situation in which man’s social values and traditional ways of life are undergoing a radical change.
All these have resulted in an increase in the criminal propensity and the nature of crime is assuming an alarming shape.
In Bangladesh, developmental efforts are hampered by unbridled growth of population, illiteracy and political instability. It is believed that economic progress reduces incidence of crime. But now this belief seems to be faced with a great challenge.
A few years ago the United Nations Social Defence Research Institute (UNSDRI) conducted a study on the process of economic in North America and Western Europe and arrived at the conclusion that all types of crimes were committed at a higher rate with the economic growth in all those countries. Besides, technological advancement is introducing automation in industrial process.
As a result of that demand for labor is recording a decrease. Consequently, in spite of considerable industrialization, the rate of employment is not increasing, as expected.
This phenomenon is having an adverse affect on the society. It is also to be noted that the progress of industrialization and procurement through import and shortage of various kinds of raw materials and commodities including food staff have also created opportunities for some new types of crime. That is why slums are as growing up around railway station.
The most important duty of our democratic government is to maintain law and order in the country so that the people can live peacefully and carry out their normal progression, business, trade and other occupations without any hindrance.
This vital job of government is done mainly through Bangladesh police. Though police plays a major role in the criminal justice system, but their entire efforts would end in smoke unless other counterparts i.e. judiciary, magistracy, lawyers, correction centers etc. work hand in hand. This is a holistic approach. Since independence we have seen so many commissions like-The public administration reform commission. Law Commission, Police Reform Commission and so on who put forward so many recommendations.
But the tragedy is we never found any recommendation coming action. It is necessary to create a congenial atmosphere and adequate opportunities for proper growth of healthy mental attitude with a view to promoting the society’s moral standard. Recruitment in Police and Judicial departments should be made on the basis of merit and steps should be taken for giving them necessary training besides providing increased & special facilities for them.
Last but not the least, it may be mentioned here that considering the heavy human and material costs of crime in Bangladesh which has competitive demands on her scarce resources the economic planners while preparing the national development plan may give due consideration to the subject of law enforcement and criminal justice.
The question dealing with the preservation, progress and correction of the society by successful enforcement of law should be ungrudgingly included in the national development plan of the country in the days to come.
