Editorial
No let-up in Limon hounding
The state should intervene
The Limon saga of relentless persecution by a state agency is a festering wound on our national conscience. It inflicts a deep scar on the state's obligations for the rule of law, human rights, and protection of a citizen against abuse of power by an agency of the government. In utter disregard of denunciation by civil society leaders, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief, media commentators, vendetta against Limon shows no sign of abating. On the contrary, it takes on newer forms and intensity.
First, they had crippled the boy in one leg by shooting and then filed two cases against him, one for possessing illegal arms and the other for obstructing Rab members in discharging their duties and opening fire on them. The cases awaiting trial in Jhalatakhi court for a long time. As if that was not enough of an ordeal, Rajapur police in a report to Jhalatakhi court on the case filed by Limon's mother against six Rab personnel said 'they found no evidence that Rab shot Limon or attempted to kill him'.
Limon's fault is why his family dared seek justice against some members of the elite force, why has his fate evoked such outpouring of public sympathies and outcry? The more strident became public reaction to the victimisation of the innocent, more vigorous has been the effort of his tormentors not to let him off the hooks. Charge has been framed under juvenile crime prevention act against him in an old case lodged more than a year before. Even though DG Rab last year admitted that Limon was innocent, why is he being pursued on one pretext or another?
Then came the Eid Day attack on Limon's house allegedly by a Rab informant. A follow-up story in this paper brings to light alleged collusion of the elite force with criminals-turned-informants of Rab. A whole bunch of elements are arrayed against Limon.
All that the poor crippled college boy needs is to be left alone. We think it is time the government put an end to any further victimisation of Limon. If the state fails to protect its citizen from one of its own agencies and secure his future, who he/she would turn to? There is a danger in the trend that must be vigorously rolled back.
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