Safety of citizens
Few would disagree that serious criminal activities like target killings and attack on the minorities are on the rise. Soon after the verdict on Narayaganj seven-murder case was delivered Prime Miniser Sheikh Hasina has instructed the home ministry to be on alert to prevent any such untoward incidents. In the recent times we often see news of political killing including the ruling party one. Just a few days ago the Awami League lawmaker Manjurul Islam Liton of Sundarganj in Gaibandha was killed in his village home. If a ruling party MP is not secure at his own home the common people have all the reason to feel scared.
In the recent years Bangladesh has experienced a series of violent attacks by extremists. The victims have included atheists, secular bloggers, liberals and foreigners -- many Buddhists, Christians and Hindus as well as Ahmadis and Shia Muslims. The government has often attributed the attacks to domestic militant groups. Regardless of the fact as to who is to blame for these outrageous actions the fact is the authorities have not always been successful in ensuring the protection of those targeted. There is a prevailing sense of insecurity that has diminished the ability of civil society to operate freely.
Throughout its history Bangladesh has always known to be a nation of communal harmony, yet when places of worships and habitats of Hindus, Buddhists and others are attacked; it dents the image of Bangladesh as a society where people various faiths and castes live harmoniously together. Within a very short span of time, the nation witnessed attacks on Hindu houses and temples in Nasirnagar (Brahmanbaria) and in Gopalganj, Chittagong, Sunamganj, Rajshahi and Madaripur districts. Miscreants destroyed dozens of Hindu temples and houses.
There is no doubt that, handling the current situation of law and order is rather challenging and various law enforcing agencies are trying to contain crimes of violent nature, in some cases very laudably, yet the home ministry must deliver its duty all successfully so that people in general feel safe. Safety of life and property is a fundamental right of every citizen whether he belongs to the majority or minority group. Each and every citizen should get equal treatment from the state.
However, the prime minister is right in saying that following the ongoing trial of the criminals who committed crimes against humanity during the countrys Liberation War in 1971, the vested quarter can motivationally create an unstable situation, and there is no point in taking this threat lightly.
