Sagar Biswas :
The ruling Awami League government has categorically directed the law enforcement agencies to restore the present deteriorating law and order situation by any means with prescribing ‘crossfire formula’ for immediate solution.
A couple of ministers and senior AL leaders on Wednesday cleared the government’s latest stance against the crimes recently committed by the leaders and activists of different associate and front organizations, especially Bangladesh Chhatra League [BCL] and Jubo League [JL].
They said that the directives have come straight from the highest authorities of the country to use ‘strong hand’ in dealing with the criminals, whoever they might be.
“The government has ordered the law enforcement agencies to deal with the crimes in strong hand. The criminals, irrespective of political opinions and whoever they might be, will not be spared. They will have to face dire consequence,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.
“The killers of innocent children and the attackers of the pregnant woman will not be spared. The government has already taken stringent measures in this connection. Some leaders and activists are committing crimes under the banner of party…it’s not tolerable,” he also said clarifying the latest stance of the government high-ups.
In the latest incident, Arzu Mia, a BCL leader, accused of lynching a teenager to death for suspected theft, was killed in an ‘encounter’ with the Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] in capital on Tuesday.
Besides, Mehedi Hasan Ajibor alias Ajibor Sheikh, one of the key accused in a shooting in Magura, which left a woman and the baby in her womb injured, was also killed in crossfire same day by the police.
Justifying killings, Home Minister Assaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday claimed that the two slain BCL and JL leaders were killed in Dhaka and Magura in gunfights, ‘not in crossfire’.
“They were not killed in crossfire. Police and RAB both said they were killed in separate gunfights. Everyone must understand that crossfire and gunfight is not the same thing. We won’t spare anybody in this regard…whether they’re members of BCL or any other organizations,” he said.
“Prime Minister had given the message earlier….. Now, none will be spared if he breaks law,” the Home Boss said.
Insiders said, the AL has also started cleansing operation taking a hard-line in all tiers of the party to restore the lost image. Especially, the recent killing, extortion, tender business and other criminal activities by some members of the BCL, JL and other fronts have prompted the party high command to take such step, the insiders added.
AL joint general secretary Mahabubul Alam Hanif said that the “infiltrators’ in the party [AL] are trying to create anarchy in the country. “A good number of outsiders have been infiltrated in AL, JL, BCL and other associate organizations in the recent days. They are now creating chaos. They are trying to tarnish the achievements of government,” he said yesterday.
Hanif said, “PM Sheikh Hasina has ordered the law enforcement agencies to control the law and order situation with strong hand. As per the directives of PM, stern action will be taken against the wrongdoers from now. We [govt] don’t want any negative propaganda against BCL and JL.”
On the other hand, Organizing Secretary of AL Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday said, “Those who have killed in crossfire are not members of AL or its front organizations. They were wanted criminals in the list of police. Government is responsible to ensure security of general people. So, the government won’t give shelter to any criminals.”
Meanwhile, the prescription of ‘crossfire’ by ruling high command to restore the law and order has invited widespread criticism from party’s grassroots level and other associate organizations. Several senior AL leaders were very much critical over the government’s formula saying that the crossfire would not bring any fruitful solution to the ongoing crisis.
“Crossfire cannot be a solution. At first, BCL should be raised as an ideal organization in line with Bangabnadhu’s ideology. BCL men to be killed in crossfire when AL is in power…it is not expected,” Suranjit Sengupta, AL advisory council member, said.
Expressing severe discontent, BCL Hazaribagh Unit at a press conference yesterday claimed that its president Arzu Mia was ‘killed’ by RAB in exchange of money.
Not only that, the National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman yesterday said that extrajudicial killings have increased recently. “I’m apprehending that the number of such killings will be increased if they are given legitimacy in the name of maintaining law and order situation,” he said.
Echoing the same voice, Sultana Kamal, Executive Director of Ain’ O Salish Kendra yesterday said, “Extra judicial killings are not acceptable….it is severe violation of human rights. Such actions are considers as shield to protect the influential persons those usually patronize the criminals.”
