AMIDST the ongoing political deadlock, while the victims of arson attack by alleged blockaders are rising and people are living with panic, law enforcers have stepped into the scene with daily staging of so-called gunfights across the country that killed so far at least 20 BNP-Jamaat men since the violence erupted. Being denied permission to hold protest rally to denounce last year’s January 5 election, BNP and its 20-party alliance are enforcing a nationwide blockade with over 70 people dead, scores more injured and over 15000 cases filed so far involving many more thousand to keep them on the run. Meanwhile the government leaders including the Prime Minister and Chiefs of police and other law enforcers including BGB, RAB and DMP have asked the state-fed forces to “shoot at sight” on seemed attackers in the streets. As we see, their calls have accelerated the civilian casualties from extra-judicial murders like midnight shootouts, gunfights or run over truck. We believe that the duty of the law enforcers is to maintain law and order and protect human life operating within the constitutional framework. But it appears they are breaking the law and killing and punishing opposition forces at will. The excesses perpetrated by law enforcing agencies are only spiralling. Three Shibirmen were killed in cross-fire alone on Friday at three districts by joint operation forces and their families claimed they were picked up from their homes and murdered. Meanwhile, news reports said joint operation forces killed at least three BNP-Jamaat activists at Chapainawabgonj, in addition to destroying homes of scores of others in several villages in the name of protecting the highway running across the area. Such drives are also taking place in other districts Question now arises as to why the members of the law enforcing agencies are working for the party in power instead of protecting the civilians and not refraining from shooting on the opposition leaders and workers. The open statement of the forces’ chiefs threatening the democracy activists with shoot-outs moreover showed they don’t have any respect for human rights and citizens’ other civil and constitutional rights. We are afraid the image loss of our police, which is now spreading at home and abroad may impact their recruitment to UN peacekeeping, although Bangladesh is the biggest contributor to it at the moment. This image crisis, which is at work since RAB has become exposed to killings and abductions may not remain oblivious now while considering new recruitment of police to UN peacekeeping. The global community is watching the action of Bangladesh police. The Human Rights Watch in a statement on Saturday said the state authorities need to ensure police response within law and their respect for human rights. They must avoid arbitrary use of forced disappearances and arrests. We urge the authorities concerned to cooperate to stop the cycle of violent crimes and ensure protection to the life of the common people whatever political opinion he or she may belong.
