Court Corridor
Confidence in law and order machinery declining
Barrister Moksadul Islam
There appears to be a trend where people taking law in their own hands. Killing of so-called terrorists or hijackers by the mobs is a common phenomenon now. Killing in police custody, during the so-called Operation Clean Heart or so-called cross-fire or encounter by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) seems to us legal. In none of those extra judicial killings there was any judicial enquiry. No report was ever published in any of those killings. I personally had the scary experience of witnessing one of those killings by mobs and was shocked to see police watching that incident as an onlooker. Bodies were lying in the street just outside my chambers. Few were still kicking those dead bodies. RAB has become a death-squad literally. RAB personals are receiving Gold Meddle from the Hon'ble Prime Minister of our country for their so-called achievements. More horrifyingly another trend is going on now when people from two neighbouring village, armed with deadly weapon, are fighting in presence of police. People are inciting and inviting other people to attack using loudspeaker of village mosque. As if we are in a medieval era when one tribe is used to attack another tribe. Are not we experiencing total breakdown of law and order situation in the country.
The columnist is an advocate of the Supreme Court, Bangladesh, who can be reached at mail@legalsteps.net.
