Editorial
Natore court action against policemen
One more reason why 'crossfires' must come to an end
A court in Natore has issued warrants of arrest against twelve policemen and seven other people on the charge of murdering a young man through so-called crossfire in August 2009. The move is significant considering the manner in which the youth was killed and the way in which his death was passed off as a matter of routine law and order. It brings to the fore once again the critical issue of 'crossfires' which have aroused, naturally, public fury at home and outrage abroad. Sadly enough, these 'crossfires', which first became regular practice on the part of the security forces, have continued even under the present elected Awami League-led government. What is infinitely of grave concern is the fact that despite their pre-election position against 'crossfires', the leading lights of the government (and that includes the home minister) have instead tried defending such questionable acts as part of law enforcement measures.
We at this newspaper have consistently argued against such a wanton manner of disposing of individual lives because of the sheer illegality and absence of morality involved in it. While we welcome the move by the Natore court against the policemen and others, we must also make note of the truth that unless similar action is taken in other instances of 'crossfires', it will be difficult for citizens to feel safe at the hands of the state. And we speak of citizens for the simple reason that governments -- the BNP administration between 2001 and 2006, the Fakhruddin caretaker government and now the AL government -- have with regularity upheld 'crossfires' despite condemnation of such acts all across the country. The worry is that when it is a government which sanctions such extra-judicial murders, it is the very fundamentals of democracy which are rudely shaken. In a dark manner of speaking, every instance of a 'crossfire' is effectively a matter of the government, through its security agencies, taking the law in its own hands. That in effect is setting a dangerous precedent in that the government is putting itself in a situation it cannot eventually wriggle out of with ease.
It is our considered opinion, as we believe it is of large numbers of citizens, that the practice of doing away with individuals in the name of 'crossfires' must swiftly be brought to an end. A 'crossfire' goes against every moral value and against every instance of legality. Indeed, it has the potential of giving rise to a culture of impunity that will for long taint the security organs of the state. Lest our law enforcers mutate into vigilante squads through these 'crossfires', the government must come forth to put an end to the practice, firmly and swiftly.
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