Lax enforcement of laws and security of life

The Odhikar and the Manabadhikar Sangskriti Sangstha, two human rights organisations, in their latest reports have come up with alarming pictures of the lax law and order and worsening security of life in the country. While the number of extrajudicial killings stood at 40 in the last 14 months, the figure of unidentified bodies surged to 66 in October last compared with its previous month's 52. The custodial deaths also rose to 13 in October from eight in September. The two months witnessed incidents of mob violence with September reporting 43 incidents to October's 44. But September's 24 deaths were exactly double that of October. However, the critical injuries to 50 in October were higher than 36 in September.

As many as 7,979 incidents of political violence have been recorded by Odhikar during the tenure of the interim government. In such violence, 281 people lost their lives. Also, journalists were targets of 242 attacks -- 34 in September this year alone -- in the 14-month tenure of the government. All such killings, violence and attacks speak volumes for the law and order situation prevailing here. Belying expectations that the law and order will continue to improve in the run up to the election, the sign is rather grim. September and October should have set the tone for stricter enforcement of laws in order to raise the confidence in the minds of the general public. Instead, security of life has become a casualty. A last-minute attempt before the election may not be enough for holding a non-controversial and peaceful poll.

Accusing fingers have been pointed at the law enforcement agencies. Extra-judicial killings were supposed to be incidents of the past but unfortunately those are, as Odhikar reports, on a higher trajectory. After the inauguration of the interim government on August 8, there was no extra-judicial killing in that month. But in September last year, the number of such killings suddenly rose to 9. Next three months accounted for one death each. That was the time when initiatives should have been geared to arrest such killings as well as concentrate on gradually taking control of law and order. Instead, the situation continued to deteriorate with the government allowing social chaos and disorder to reign supreme.

Mob violence followed courtesy of lax enforcement of laws. The anti-social goons took full advantage of the situation. There were some organised fanatic groups which acted not only as moral vigilante outfits but also unleashed attacks on all that they did not like. Some even used the vacuum to settle old scores and used the ploy to loot or plunder residences of wealthy people. Then anarchy in garment factories tested the level of tolerance of the law enforcement agencies. The legal parameter became the greatest casualty in the process.

Persecution of the perpetrators was totally absent in some of the cases giving the impression that such acts are not punishable. Criminals took the cue from such inactions only to go about their nefarious affairs with great gusto. Today the apprehension is that the decline in law and order may vitiate the environment of the election tentatively scheduled for February next. If this happens, it would deal a body blow to the country's social stability and peace.

With the rise in casualties in the last two months, the general public will keep their fingers crossed even about the holding of the election smoothly and peacefully. The current month will be indicative of what is to come next. Dissent on the July charter among the political parties including the National Citizen Party, now seems to be a spent force, will not help the cause of holding a free, fair and peaceful poll. Forces inimical to the countries' well-being may take chances to exploit the rift or disunity among the main political actors vying for victory in the election. The law enforcement agencies, the police in particular, are still ill-equipped both mentally and physically to combat the declining law and order. Unless this sensitive issue is addressed urgently, social peace and stability will remain elusive.

nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com