So much for security

It is astonishing to learn that four individuals found with arms on them were let off by police although they were apprehended at the prime minister's rally where carrying arms was prohibited. We wonder whether the police agreed to release them on account of their being ruling party men. Even if that is true, what a mockery it makes of the massive security measures that were built up in and around Suhrawardy Uddyan where the prime minister delivered her speech on January 12. According to what has been published in a leading Bangla daily, strict security measures were put in place within a 1km radius of the podium. Hence the question arises as to the selective stringency applied in a situation that should have been dealt with professionally.

The police have come up with an explanation that the arms found were all licensed firearms and so the individuals in question were released from custody. Apparently these people had no idea about security measures and we are assured that an enquiry has been launched and so be it. We wonder whether the police would have been so lenient had those apprehended were otherwise politically affiliated and still had license for the firearms. Why such double standards when it comes to law enforcement? And what guarantee is there that gun carrying individuals, even if they belong to the ruling party, would not attend such a meeting with some risk involved?