Extrajudicial measures not the answer
When credibility
in an important organ of the state erodes it is bound to have an adverse effect on
the concerned ministry
and ultimately the
government. Nobody
wants a situation where
confidence in the police, RAB or other agencies is lost
We cannot help expressing our concern at the increasing number of deaths of people in encounters with police. The so-called gunbattles involving alleged militants are becoming more controversial with each passing day. The recent deaths of two militant suspects on consecutive days have again brought the uncomfortable issue to the limelight. Even the identity of one of the victims is shrouded in mystery.
Whatever the term the law enforcers use to describe the incidentscrossfire, gunbattle or encounterthe fact is that it is incumbent upon the law enforcers to protect the people especially under custody. Whenever any death in police custody happens, it affects the rule of law and the administration of the criminal justice system.
Quite interestingly every time such a killing occurs, the explanation given is virtually the same. According to the authorities almost all these killings occur when militants attack cops at the dead of night when the suspected militants were taken to their hideouts. The story has been repeated with such monotonous regularity that it has apparently lost its credibility. Many human rights experts believe that every suspects killing in police shootout as extrajudicial as people always remain doubtful about the authenticity of that action.
When credibility in an important organ of the state erodes it is bound to have an adverse effect on the ministry concerned and ultimately the government. Nobody wants a situation where confidence in the police, RAB or other agencies is lost. We accept that there are loopholes and weaknesses in the criminal justice system. However, the fact remains that the rule of law is simply cannot be secured by any forms of extrajudicial punishment or killing. Bangladesh is a republic. When on a regular basis legal process is set aside and the rule of law is flouted a country ceases to be a republic in the truest sense of the term.
Both the Awami League and BNP-led governmentsand indeed the military-backed caretaker governmenthave promised to take action to end extrajudicial killings. But over the years we have observed a distinct lack of political will regarding the matter. Ironically members of all major political parties have been victims of this phenomenon.
Of course there may be occasions when the law enforcers have to act in self-defence. In those cases government and police must still ensure thorough independent enquiries into any deaths occurring. We believe that it will be in the interests of the law enforcement authorities, and their reputation and the essential trust factor with the people who they are supposed to serve that they should support independent investigations so that any claims of unlawful killing can be credibly tested.
Time has come to ensure that if law enforcers are found guilty of taking the law in their own hands. It is necessary to restore faith of the people in the various agencies.
