THE National Human Rights Commission Chairman yesterday demanded that the cops who killed people in Tangail must be tried for murder, according to a local daily. He said simple withdrawal of police should not be the answer. His comment came hours after the police authorities closed two officers-in-charge of Kalihati and Ghatail police stations, on Sunday night.
Acting Superintendent of Tangail police said the two officers were withdrawn to ensure a fair investigation into the incident. Earlier on Saturday, the authorities withdrew seven junior level cops — three sub-inspectors and four constables over the bloody incident that left four people dead.
The police firing occurred in Kalihati on Friday afternoon when several hundred locals took to the streets, protesting an assault of a woman and her son. The protest came after a local influential person of Saturia village in Kalihati abused a sexually mother in front of her son with the help of others blaming the boy for unfair affairs with his wife.
A clash erupted when police intercepted the demonstration. At one stage, cops opened fire, killing three people. A fourth victim later succumbed to his bullet wounds at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Meanwhile, a rights body yesterday filed a petition with the High Court, seeking order upon the government to Commission a judicial inquiry into the incident. The concerned HC bench heard the petition partly and fixed September 30 for further hearing. Executive Director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA), filed the petition arguing that an investigation by police might not be fair, as they themselves were involved in it.
It is completely unacceptable that the inhabitants of a democratic country should be subjected to such brutality by police who have instead of file a case with 900 accused for attacking on them. This is clearly police excesses who instead of repenting for firing on the common people are again terrorizing the local people before the Eid festival. The people want friends in police, not masters, and it must be reflected in the dealings of the police with the general population. The people who were killed were demonstrating against a crime committed by a criminal and it is unfortunate police become a party with the criminals instead of arresting them to calm the people.
Police must learn that they are not above law and they are certainly not for killing people. They are trained to shoot to immobilize the culprits. Anybody can kill, he does not need training.
