Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Thursday expressed concern over the death of ever hundred people in so called ‘gunfights’ in the ongoing nationwide anti-narcotics drives.
TIB, in a press release, questioned the law enforcement agencies’ explanation on the death of alleged drug peddlers in ‘gunfights’ calling for transparency in anti-drug derive. The anti-graft watchdog’s has also demanded a judicial probe into such incidents, reads the release.
“The Constitution has given every citizen the right to get justice. The question remains on the legality of the way the anti-narcotics drives are being conducted across the country based on so-called intelligence reports,” The press release quoted TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
He also said, the way ‘listed’ criminals are being killed in ‘gunfights’ instead of being convicted for their crimes through proper trials is unconstitutional.
Referring to the law enforcers’ claim that the ‘gunfights’ take place as police come under attack of the criminals, the TIB executive director said no legal procedure is at work to determine the authenticity of such claim.
“Mostly low-profile field-level drug peddlers and users are becoming victims of ‘gunfight,’ who could have instead provided valuable information to solve the drug menace,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said. He said such killing prevents the true scenario from being revealed and the high-profile names associated with the illegal drug trade from being identified.
Stressing on the fact that nowhere in the world ‘gunfight’ ever played an effective role in controlling narcotics trade or such other criminal activity, the TIB urged the government and law enforcement agencies to follow the legal procedure to identify the real culprits controling illegal drug trade. They must be dealt with under the country’s existing legal system.
Violation of law in the name of ‘gunfight’ is a grave sign of ignoring the country’s justice, law and order, and democracy, the TIB release added.
