Editorial
The case of the 'disappeared'
Absolute need for the govt. to act
It appears that people of various political shades are disappearing into the darkness of night, the latest victim being M. Ilias Ali, Organising Secretary of BNP's Sylhet division. That the missing individual's spouse must come out openly and request for the prime minister's intervention in an effort to unravel the mystery of this disappearance hardly inspires confidence in law enforcement agencies.
Actually the drama has brought to light the government's apparently half-hearted attempts to locate Mr. Ilias. Equally dumbfounding is the rapidity with which BNP Chairperson pointed the finger directly at the ruling party accusing it of foul play in the event, in effect, putting the government in the dock.
Whilst the eruption of violence in Sylhet division may be understandable, given the nature of confrontational politics in the country, what stands out markedly is the fact that the 'hartal' programme declared by the opposition within hours of the incident, points to a line of thinking that focuses on political agitation, rather than an insistence on investigation of a serious crime and bringing the culprit to book.
In the final analysis of things, the government must not only act but also be seen to be doing something about Ilias's disappearance, which puts it to a litmus test. According to the first quarter report of 2012 by Odhikar, a human rights organisation, six persons have suffered 'disappearing' acts. What is of interest here is that no law enforcement agency has any news or clues about the status of these missing individuals. Such lack of concern cannot be condoned in any civilised society that propagates to uphold the rule of law, and it is here the State appears to be floundering.
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