Ensure security of life

A partial view of the workshop on Human Security, held at Mymensingh municipal auditorium. PHOTO: STAR

The basic requirement for a society to move forward and develop is security, which is now lacking largely due to ineffective functioning of the law enforcing apparatus.

A large number of government officials, NGO representatives, journalists, lawyers, social workers and public representatives participated in the workshop on 'Human Security', held at the Zila Parishad auditorium and organised jointly by the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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It was inaugurated by Mymensingh Municipality Chairman Mahmud-al-Noor Tareq chairman.

BNWLA officials Jahanara Begum, Abdullah Al Hasan, Md Yusuf Reza; Mymnsingh Bar Association members Nasima Sultana, Rasheda Tahmina Priti, Sanaka Ghosh, Nazrul Islam Chunnu, Harunur Rashid, AH Habib Khan and Zahanara Begum; journalists Zillur Rahman Khan and AHM Motaleb and Prof Afzalur Rahman Bhuiyan spoke at the workshop held on Monday.

They said people's life and property are insecure both in urban and rural areas but nothing tangible and effective is being done or thought of.

Various crimes are increasing because criminals are sheltered by politicians for use during election and to protect their power base. Police are helpless in such a situation and work as per dictates of ruling party men.

Crimes could be contained if police could be made accountable to people. A mechanism should be evolved for this.

They suggested that police force should be strengthened with better logistics support and steps taken to boost their morale. Police become corrupt because they are low paid.

Public representatives and representatives of different political parties should be included in the law and order committees at all levels in urban and rural areas. This will help check crimes to a great extent, they said.

Side by side, steps should be taken for quick disposal of cases by increasing the number of courts and judges in urban areas. But they opposed creation of courts at upazila level, saying this will only create 'touts' who will often harass innocent people.

Arbitration at villages can be an effective way to dispose of petty cases and check crimes, they said. Legal experts should think how to institutionalise the system.