Media reports on Wednesday said sixty civil society members have condemned an attack at a photography exhibition on extrajudicial killings organised by Drik Gallery on September 4 at Dhaka University campus. It was held to demand punishment of all extrajudicial killing mainly by members of the law enforcement agencies. But what really irritated the attackers is a big question. The civil society leaders have alleged the attack was directed to foil the peaceful photo exhibition of extrajudicial killings at a time when a young retired army major was killed by Teknaf OC Prodeep Kumar and his cohorts adding to the latest extrajudicial killing.
Many wonder whether the attack has any link to stop the nationwide growing demand for trial of Teknaf OC and his forces. It appears the killing may be part of a deep rooted conspiracy inside and outside the country to create disorder among the defense forces. So many want to stop further digging into the killing of Major Sinha and they fear protests against such killings at this moment may make stronger demand for justice. We can’t understand how
an ordinary police officer could dare to target a retired army major to kill him in point blank in a shootout.
an ordinary police officer could dare to target a retired army major to kill him in point blank in a shootout.
What is noticeable is that a councilor of the South City Corporation led the attack with over 100 ruling party men to claim that trial of August 21 grenade attackers must be held first before holding trial of other extrajudicial killings.
What does it mean? The trial for the killed leaders should take place but not for the thousands people killed at the protection of the government? Of course that is the reality. Whether trial takes place or not the government shall be answerable for every kilogram of bloodshed without due process of law. The international court conducts trial of extrajudicial killings by the government. The other day two army soldiers of Myanmar government had to be sent for trial in the international court for extra judicial killings.
Some political leaders tend to think that the people’s lives do not matter. Lakhs of people gave lives in the liberation struggle when leaders remained safe away from the country. When they governed Bangladesh they felt free in time to deny the people with all the rights and freedom. Special forces were created for secret killing of the people. So all killings are equally important for the country. It cannot be the sole right of the government to kill and go unpunished.
