Editorial
Limon's continuing woes
These must end, with justice for the victim
After over a year and a half -- a lifetime for the then 16-year-old -- in which he was shot by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), his leg amputated, dragged to the courts, the case filed by his mother shot down, Limon Hossain is now being advised to seek clemency. Clemency, in the two cases filed by Rab -- one for possessing firearms, another for obstructing the duties of law enforcers -- after they shot and maimed him in a case of mistaken identity. Cases which, based on their being baseless, should have been withdrawn. In fact, the cases against him are progressing at greater speed than the attempt-to-murder case filed by his mother against Rab personnel -- a case, if clemency is to be considered for Limon, that has to be withdrawn.
The incidents surrounding Limon are baffling, to say the least. Rab's position, and the government's tacit acceptance of it, is shocking. Baffling, because the obvious is being ignored. The fact that Limon was and is the victim, the fact that Limon is the one seeking justice, seems to be eluding those in authority. Shocking, because the case has been turned around not to deliver justice to the victim but to justify and vindicate the wanton actions of the perpetrators.
Only if Limon withdraws the case filed by his mother against those who attempted to kill her son, only if he seeks clemency in the false cases he has been charged with, will he be able to continue his studies, to go on with his life -- with his one leg and the memories of the mental and physical torture to which he was subjected. This is not the justice being sought by Limon, or which every conscientious citizen of the country is hoping he will get. We cannot stress enough to the government, that it is past high time that those responsible face the consequences of their actions and that Limon be relieved of this endless persecution by those in positions of power.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments