STATISTICS of the police headquarters shows that at least 12 people were killed daily on an average and 381 per month in 2014. How terrible the human rights situation of the country was in the previous year can easily be exemplified from the statistics for which right activists and analysts cry for round the year. But surprisingly and also awfully, the ruling authority seemed oblivious to the situation; rather people in power or beneficiaries thereto are seen busy with claiming, as usual, a better law and order situation than ever. A news report of a national English daily on Tuesday said, the law and order situation turned for the worse in 2014 compared with the situation in the preceding three years. This phenomenal increase in crime rates over the last four years is causing a grave concern among citizens over the human rights situation.
As per the police statistics, there has been a gradual rise in the number of killings, kidnaps and robberies since 2011, two years after the Awami League assumed power with a promise to ensure better law and order.
The State Minister for Home Affairs in an interview on Saturday said, the government had taken various steps, including setting up different units of law enforcement agencies, to curb crimes. But the Minister defended himself and his office as well on the pretext of demographic inflation considering current crime rates, though he or his Ministry, even the government itself, is not ready to take the responsibility for increasing law and order situation which causes regular violation of human rights of the ordinary citizens — the tax payers.
At least 4,472 people were murdered in 2014 while the number was 4,393 in 2013, showed the police statistics. In 2012 and 2011, the number was 4114 and 3966 respectively. Between January and November of 2014, at least 1,680 robberies were committed while the number was 1,634 in 2013 and 1,557 in 2012, and it was 1719 in 2011. At least 864 people, including underage women, businessmen and professionals were abducted in 2014.
The police when used for politics and politicised by the government for its protection to remain in power, then they become political expecting political reward for their political role. Our efficient police force is being abused politically and as a result they have no time or urge to stop criminals and restrain crime giving security to the people. The police is ceasing to be people’s police.
It is for the police to maintain its dignity as police. That is the requirement of a free people.
