STRAIGHT LINE

STRAIGHT LINE

The necessity for substantive police reform

For police reform to be substantive, the first order of business should be the enactment of a new Police Act

8m ago

Behind the pre-eminence of bureaucrats

The question is one of making the bureaucracy more responsible and responsive.

2y ago

Mechanisms to hold the police accountable do exist; why aren't we using them?

It is imperative to bring the police under a system of accountability that earns public confidence.

2y ago

Was Jinnah the real villain in the story of partition?

On June 3, 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, announced his plan for the partition of the subcontinent—in particular that of Punjab and Bengal.

2y ago

Getting out of the extrajudicial mode

Of late, media reports that indicate that the infamous phenomenon of extrajudicial killings has been resorted to more by the mainstream police outfit than the elite unit of the law-enforcing apparatus should bring no comfort, and indeed should be viewed with concern.

3y ago

What ails our local governments?

The unfortunate fact of our times is that all reports on Bangladesh’s socio-economic progression almost invariably point to the lack of good governance as a significant deficit in our developmental strides.

3y ago

The ‘crossfire’ controversy

The piece “No ‘crossfire’ deaths since US sanctions” published in this newspaper on January 11 will definitely engage all thinking minds, especially those entrusted with the maintenance of law and public order.

3y ago

Understanding the spirit of the Liberation War

In recent times, there have been many discussions, discourses and deliberations on “muktijuddher chetona,” wherein passionate and eloquent speakers have emphasised the imperative of holding aloft the spirit of our great Liberation War.

3y ago

The Towering Courage of Bangabandhu

For the uninformed multitudes, remembering Bangabandhu on August 15 is perhaps a ritualistic observance when the mind does not delve deep to grasp the historical significance of the tragedy.

8y ago

Fighting the fear factor

Since the community has to be involved in the rooting out strategy, residents have to know about the doable on their part. Therefore, the visibility of men, women, and children in their usual course of activities, especially the recreational ones would be a definite indicator of normalcy.

8y ago

Behind the ailing prosecution

Commenting on the sorry state of prosecution of criminal offenses, a lead report of this newspaper on July 19 stated that “the long-standing demand for reforming the prosecution system with professional lawyers remains unmet” and “loyalty to the party in power

8y ago

Home-made prescriptions for home-grown terror

International cooperation has to be sought discreetly from countries like the USA, UK, France, and Turkey, wherein there is a pool of information about the strategy and tactics of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Closer to home, in Indonesia, there are admirable educational and rehabilitative programmes that have proved successful in weaning away people from the violent path.

8y ago

Section 54 Cr.Pc: Indiscretions and imperatives

Arrest under Section 54 for prosecution under preventive detention cannot be entertained.

8y ago

The fuss about ISIS and what we need to do

The murders of bloggers, intellectuals, priests, academicians, rights activists, and also persons of ordinary vocations committed by allegedly extremist groups...

8y ago

Holding the police accountable

Public confidence increases when the police complaints system provides for an external body to supervise an investigation, or review the evidence and conclusions drawn by the police investigation

9y ago

Taming rogue policemen

Excessive use of force is decidedly more complex and multidimensional than the few bad apples' theory would imply.

9y ago

Public order and its discontents

A concerned commentator feels uneasy at the modus operandi of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in laying down conditions for holding...

9y ago

The sinister collaborators of 1971

Believers know full well that patriotism is an inseparable part of faith. That being so, persons accused of crimes against humanity in 1971 have quite manifestly defied and defiled their own faith.

9y ago