Rein in the fraudsters
Organised ganes of
criminals are on the prowl in the capital
and other places in
the country
It is worrying to note that fraudsters introducing themselves as the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) officials are calling people over phones and threatening to file corruption cases if they refuse to bribe them, according to a report in this newspaper recently. The ACC has asked people to immediately contact its head office in the capital if anyone demands any bribe from them. Businesspeople or public officials are the easy targets of these fraudsters who claim that the Commission is probing graft allegations against them and demand money to avert probe.
According to sources, organized gangs of criminals are on the prowl in the capital and other places in the country. Impersonating them as members of the law enforcement agencies, these gangs are picking up people on microbus, interrogate and harass them, and snatch away their belongings, including cash, cell phones and other valuables. Many victims do not go to police stations fearing further harassment at the hands of law enforcers. Nabbing of people for cheating who called themselves as army officials, fake police officials and fake doctors made newspaper headlines in the past. Fake ACC officials are a new addition to the gangs of criminals that rule the roost in the city.
Taking advantage of the laxity in the maintenance of law and order, the criminals are carrying out their sinister activities. What these thuggish elements are doing is worse than extortion. Besides, businessmen who draw huge sums of money from banks are overpowered and robbed off their money. The criminals even go to the extent of killing if their mission is not fulfilled. It is surprising to note that how these criminals are operating evading the vigilance of the members of the law enforcement agencies. There are also allegations against some members of the law enforcement agencies in abetting the crimes.
The involvement of some RAB members in the sensational seven murders in Narayanganj speaks volumes of the law enforcers role as predators rather than protectors. It eroded peoples confidence in them remarkably. If members of the law enforcers act sincerely, criminals cannot thrive in a democratic country. Strict maintenance of law and order is of prime importance for establishment of rule of law and good governance. It is high time for the government to show zero tolerance to the criminals who are out to jeopardize peace in society. There is no alternative to reining in the criminals to ensure security of life and property of the taxpayers.
