It is appreciable that the BMP Deputy Commissioner has assured stern action against all accused policemen following an inquiry committee reports; which is now investigating the incident. The Tuesday’s incident in Barisal is nothing but showing unlimited power and arrogant attitude of the members of law enforcement agencies at the field level. The policemen- all members of Detective Branch — became agitated when the Correspondent wanted to know the reason behind a mid-day raid at a house at the center of the Divisional Town. He showed his identity while trying to figure out the cause of the raid but the policemen instead mercilessly beaten him and took him to custody at DB office.
We do welcome the timely move of BMP but who will answer why policemen so mercilessly tortured the newsman; who is now taking treatment at a local hospital. In fact what the policemen did at Barisal is the common scenario all over the country. Police in most cases are not protector of people but oppressors in most cases. They are not behaving like people police. Be it in uniform or in plainclothes police are reportedly picking up people from home or in the outdoor and most people remain untraced. They are extorting people on false charges to become the biggest threat to public safety.
The unruly politics in the country has made law enforcers unruly. Had there been good governance police would also behave politely as people police. But unruly politicians are using police for their protection and also sheltering police against their wrongdoing. This in turn has made police audacious to misuse power and make illegal fortune. In many cases they do not care anybody, even their senior officers.
The DB police actions are nothing new other than part of their countrywide reign of terror. In a country where rule of law works police don’t arrest people on flimsy ground and torture. They talk and give answer to people’s quarries. They don’t instantly arrest people for asking a question, beat and physically terrorize them. What is happening in our country, it is unbelievable.
