YET another high profile abduction has taken place spreading horrors to the society about the safety of the notable people in business and politics. Abu Bakar Siddique, husband of green activist Syeda Rizwana Hasan has been abducted by an armed group from around a Filling Station at Fatullah on Wednesday afternoon. The incident once again showed the rapid break down of law and order in the country and the fact that dreaded criminals are moving unchecked in absence of government control and even with tacit support from certain powerful sections of the ruling party. The abduction took place incidentally after about two years of a similarly mysterious abduction of BNP leader Ilyas Ali from the city’s Banani area on April 18, 2012. Meanwhile Narayangonj has turned out to be a highly notorious criminal city with daily murder, abduction and such other crimes involving infants, school students and elderly persons. At least 50 people were either killed or found dead in the city only over a period of three months from January to March as news reports said. Moreover, allegations galore abound that a powerful lawmaker is running many killer gangs in the city. People tend to believe that if the government had decisively dealt with the gangsters earlier, newer cases like the abduction of Siddique would not have happened.As it appears Abu Bakar Siddique, a garment factory official was returning home from the factory at Narayangonj and the gangsters picked him up from his car in broad day light as on lookers watched Siddique was wailing for help. They quickly left the spot and drove to the city. Reports said police, DB personnel and RAB are searching for the culprits and the disclosure that the microbus which was used in the abduction has already been identified appears a significant progress in the search. We believe it should not be difficult to reach the criminal group now which has picked up the man whose only fault appears to be that he is the husband of an active environment campaigner. Rezwana Hasan is the chairperson of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and has spearheaded vigorous campaigns against land grabbers and ship breakers who are polluting the environment and also for good governance at all levels. Meanwhile statements of solidarity and concern are pouring in from all quarters demanding prompt government action to rescue him. Some speakers even suspected a political hand behind the abduction speaking in a human chain in the city demanding a quick rescue of the victim. Moreover questions have been raised about the identity of the abductors who were in T shirts and had short hair cuts giving the wrong impression of being part of a disciplinary force. Ilyas Ali’s abductors had similar short hair and body fitness. The government appears unconcerned about the killings and abductions going on freely and keen to tell the history of liberation war. We know it. The government has not shown competence to give protection and security to the people. This is not acceptable.We congratulate the NGOs, lawyers and others who have come forward for the cause of safety and security in personal lives. Abduction and killing are worst terrorism especially when these happen for the incompetence of the government.
