Editorial
Youths missing from Aminbazar
Who would account for them?
Aseries of 'disappearances' have occurred in Aminbazar area of Savar. These have caused quite a stir among the local community. What is even more worrisome is that suspicion of such 'disappearances' points to involvement of law enforcement agencies as alleged by affected families. Five young men went missing on October 23 from Bardesi village and families are baffled that although 19 days have elapsed, there is still no trace of them. In another incident on October 10, two individuals belonging to the same village in Aminbazar went missing.
Except for recording a general diary at Darus Salam police station and a written complaint submitted to RAB headquarters, witnesses who have firsthand account of some people being picked up by some unidentified persons coupled with the lukewarm attitude of the police to record "missing" cases is fuelling various speculations and conspiracy theories.
The picking up of people in broad daylight or after dark for that matter can hardly be stated as a normal state of affairs in any civilised society. The usual explanation offered by the police is that certain incidents have not occurred within the jurisdiction of a particular police station and that is why they have to tell the complainants off. This is understandable. But should they not, in that event, direct citizens to the police station that has the jurisdiction? Whatever be the circumstances, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to register a complaint, particularly of such a serious nature as above.
When the police come on record to state that a certain missing individual is a drug dealer and let it go at that is, again, a gross negligence of duty. Even if the person in question has a criminal record, that individual has rights under the law. Using that as a pretext for not recording and investigating a missing case is simply unacceptable.
It is in public interest that the home ministry demands explanation from the Savar police station as to their nonchalance to what constituted a legitimate obligation for them to record and follow up on.
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