The mystery behind the death of Hanif Mridha in RAB custody is only deepening while the nation is in deep trouble with fresh spike of abductions and militancy but the bitter truth is that there is none to hold the situation under control and take care of people’s concern. Two killings in RAB action over the last two days is not only shocking to the nation; it is also raising question whether they are victims of misuse of power in arbitrary killing.
Plainclothes people, some identifying them as RAB personnel are often blamed for such abduction and killing. But RAB as for one having most allegations against its members routinely disowns it.
But what we want to say here is that disowning is not what people want to hear; our major concern is who will own their responsibility to give safety to people’s life. The RAB is the one tasked with fighting terrorism but why young people get killed in questionable circumstances is the biggest question. Who can misuse RAB’s name and continue to operate is yet another question.
The biggest and most disturbing question is whether we have a government competent enough to fight militancy for peace and security.
The death of Hanif, a city transport operator in RAB custody came as a new shock with opposite stories from victim’s family in one hand and RAB’s Public Relations Officer put it in a different context. Who is right and who is wrong – a clash of truth is totally confusing the nation while they want to know what is the real truth behind it.
Meanwhile, killing of another young man at a RAB check post at Khilgaon on Saturday morning came as yet another case of death shrouded with mystery. RAB claimed he was riding a number plate less motorbike and carrying a bomb to attack the RAB check post. They fired shoots at and killed him. Yet again the mother of this victim claimed her soon was missing for sometime and his death came to her as a surprise. She wanted to know where the abductors held her son before making him a scapegoat.
Hanif’s family said he was abducted with one of his friends on February 27 when they were returning Dhaka from Barisal. Plainclothes people picked them from Kanchpur area as they left a launch and moving to board on Hanif’s private car. But RAB disclosure said he was arrested from around Ashkona RAB barrack on suppression that he was linked to the suicide bomber who blew him outside the RAB barrack. RAB sources claimed in their custody Hanif felt pain in his chest and when they took him to nearby Kurmitola General Hospital doctors declared him dead.
The family wondered how the general diary (GD) with Siddhirgonj Police Station they lodged on March 4 got lost with all entries from March 1. There is no trace of the diary to suggest that some influential quarters are at work to bury the case. They were then overtaken by yet another surprise on March 15 when several people in plainclothes went to Hanif’s house and one of them wearing RAB uniform with ‘Iqbal’ by name to get Hanif signed two cheques for a total of Tk 6.70 lakhs.
They went there in a white HiAce microbus and Hanif’s neighbours confirmed the media to have seen the people claiming as members of law enforcement agencies. RAB’s Spokesman Mufti Mahmud is not much helpful to clear the case.
He said they have heard about the family claim. But it is known that criminal gangs are involved in such acts using identity of RAB in many cases. He said they are investigating the claim that one of the group members was wearing a RAB uniform with his name inscribed on the pocket.
Hanif’s neighbours in his village home under Amtoli Police Station in Barguna told police that he was a good man and locals in Dhaka also said he was a good person mainly involving in business. The family said he grew up from a tea boy and now own three buses running in Dhaka streets.
Life cannot be cheap and unprotected in a free country for the government to be helpless. Only law enforcing agencies have full power and authority to fight militancy. The fear is who cause and who fight militancy remains clouded. The government is no help.
