The exponential rise in the number of daily abductions and killings all over the country especially in and around the capital has rendered life of people in politics, business and having property disputes with powerful quarters unsafe and vulnerable to killing. People ask themselves when the ruling party politics is based on fighting “terrorism of the opposition”, why it does not see terrorism which is spreading when the oppositions has been almost ousted from politics? The law and order situation has reached such an anarchic state that anybody can abduct anybody and kill if he is organised and well-connected.
The abduction cases have surged to a new height Wednesday across the country on disclosure that 12 people were abducted in previous 13 hours around the capital by plain clothed persons claiming their identify as members of law enforcing agencies. The latest victims included two teachers from Bhaluka of the Mymensingh district and two more from Kaliakoir in the outskirt of the capital who were however later released. It followed the abduction of four people on April 27 from Narayangonj including a city Ward Commissioner who is also a panel mayor in the city house. Most alarmingly, a lawyer was also not spared. Although the Commissioner’s car was recovered from Gazipur forest, the victims remained untraced.
Meanwhile, relatives of eight abducted persons who were picked up from different parts of the city since December 3 held a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club few days back demanding their whereabouts. BNP claimed the number of its abducted party leaders and workers at 310 in 2013. From January to March the number further grew by 39 as per figure released by Ain O Salish Kendra.
Awami League presidium member Suranjit Sengupta however spoke something quite significant. He told a meeting in the city on Tuesday that abductions and forced disappearance have surpassed all limits. He said a government (suggestive of criminal outfits) can’t operate within the government. The situation can’t go longer.
The responsibility of providing safety and security of life has to be taken by the government as a whole. The Prime Minister has to prove that she is in charge of the government. But the law enforcing agencies are no less responsible to the people for their safety and security. They are also employees of the people. They are not only government servants. What we can say is that when the government fails to protect the people, the people have no choice but to organise resistance, because they have a right to protect themselves. In Narayanganj, the people have come out in street demanding release of the abducted one. The people of Chittagong are also putting up organised resistance. We expect civil society members and human rights bodies will give leadership to improve safety and security in public life.
