Md Joynal Abedin Khan :Despite massive criticisms, extra-judicial killings in the name of ‘gunfights’, ‘crossfire’ and ‘police firing’ are on rise.Such killings at the hands of law enforcers have raised massive questions over the capability of the law enforcing agencies. Alleged extra-judicial killings on the pretext of crossfire or encounter have become the talk of the town after Golam Faizullah Fahim, who was arrested on the charge of attempted murder of a Hindu college teacher in Madaripur, was killed in an “encounter”.The countrymen are worried as around 95 people died in extra-judicial killings across the country this year while the total figure was 2,170 since 2014. According to human rights body ‘Odhiker’, at least 95 people were victimized of extra-judicial killings in different parts of the country. Of them, 73 were killed in ‘crossfires’ and ‘gunfights’ and the rest tortured to death at custody.It showed, 18 were killed in January, 38 in February, 12 in March, 9 in April, 18 in May. According to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), 210 people were killed in 2004, 377 in 2005, 362 in 2006, 180 in 2007, 175 in 2008, 229 in 2009, 133 in 2010, 100 in 2011, 91 in 2012, 72 in 2013, 128 in 2014 and 183 in 2015.Golam Faizullah Fahim, 18, was killed in a “shootout” four days into his capture on June 19, sparking widespread questions, condemnation and criticism. Faizullah was on a 10-day remand when police took him to Miarchar area under Madaripur Sadar Upazila to arrest his cohorts.”Around 7:00am, a team of police went to Miarchar area where his accomplices used to have meetings. They suddenly shot at our van. Our men got injured and they [cops] fired back,” said Madaripur Superintendent of Police Md Sarwar Hossain. On the other hand, Shariful alias Sakib alias Sharif alias Saleh alias Arif alias Hadi-1, a prime suspect in the killing of bloggers including Avijit Roy and Niladri Chattapadhyay Niloy was killed in a reported incident of crossfire at Khilgaon in the capital early Sunday, claimed the Detective Branch of police.Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials claimed that the deceased was a top organiser of banned Islamist outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team and also the prime suspect in the killings of bloggers, especially Avijit in February 2015 and Niladri in August 2015 in Dhaka. Prof Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, said that the incidents have risen alarmingly in recent times. These go against the rule of law and democracy, and are in no way acceptable.”Those responsible for such criminal acts must be given capital punishment to stop this practice,” he said.”The extrajudicial killings are increasing in the country alarmingly, exposing the sorrowful picture of the human rights,” Sultana Kamal, Executive Director of ASK said recently at a programme at CIRDAP auditorium.She said, the culture of impunity promotes extrajudicial killings, and as a result, citizens lose their trust and confidence in the law enforcement agencies. Criticizing the government, Sultana Kamal said, “Extra-judicial killings in the name of ‘crossfire’ and ‘shootout’ cannot be acceptable in a civilized society. It undermines the rule of law. The country’s law and order has deteriorated to such a level that the government has resorted to crossfire to check it instead of taking legal steps. Extrajudicial killings can’t be the solution of any problem at all.””Frustration is growing among the people due to the absence of good governance. The government is taking the law into its own hands because of frustration,” she noted.In the same programme, Supreme Court lawyer Dr Shahdin Malik said, “Fahim’s death should be probed. He demanded the suspension of those law enforcers who took Fahim away from custody before his killing.”
