Nothing tames rising crimes in Kushtia

At least eight murders, seven abductions and 12 clashes took place in 35 days from April 1 to May 5.

Deaths of criminals in 'crossfire' with Rab (Rapid Action Battalion) and police failed to halt downslide in the law and order.

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According to police, 15 criminals were killed in 'crossfire' in Kushtia since April 1.

A regional leader of outlawed Janajuddho of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) was killed in a 'shootout' with police and his accomplices in the

latest incident of 'crossfire' in Mirpur upazila early Thursday.

The incident raised the number of deaths in 'crossfire' in the district alone to 66, the highest number across the county.

However, the law enforcing agencies claimed improvement in the law and order.

Kushtia superintendent of police (SP) Sahabuddin Khan claimed incidents of extortion, snatching, abduction for ransom have declined considerably.

"It is impossible to change the situation in the district overnight where at least 10 underground parties equipped with huge illegal arms unleashed a reign of terror for the last 30 years, the SP told this correspondent over telephone.

According to high police officials, who preferred not to be named, crimes like extortion, robbery and abduction for ransom and tender manipulation marked fall due to 'extra-judicial action' by members of the law enforcing agencies during the last several months.