A CLASS-X student committed suicide in Chattogram on Thursday just after police officers reportedly tortured him and his family members at their house. Police denied any responsibility, however, suspended a Sub-Inspector and formed a two-member committee to investigate the allegations. Locals said that the police torture forced the young man to hang himself and also demonstrated against police torture on people. The police force in the country has long been acted as an organised gang in torturing innocent for money and dissent opinions while staying supportive to the musclemen and criminals. Virtually police enjoy impunity and legal shield from being trialed. Police reformation is a lucrative project on discussion table but it does not work as political governments need them unruly.
Following a scuffle between the victim and a police source over suspicion of stealing some valuables, the SI and his men stormed Maruf’s house, tortured them, and tried to intimidate him in a drug-dealing case, what police usually do. Even, the audacious Sub-Inspector demanded Tk 1 lakh from them and said that if they did not pay immediately, he would send all of them to jail. In the meantime, neighbours and local people gathered around the house and protested at the Sub-Inspector’s demand, which made him more furious. However, police crafted different story to misguide people and close the SI to covert the criminal offence.
We cannot have police to kill and torture. The days are changing and police must also end their ways. To make Bangladesh a civilised country the police must behave as responsible law enforcers. Our politics corrupted all the good institutions. The people are our people and public servants must do their duty to the people. Indiscipline in police will have grave consequences both for the police and the people.
