Abductors on the prowl

The Comilla North AL president of the party was picked up on Friday from Lalmatia in broad daylight as he was returning from Jumma prayers. We are relieved that Pervez Hossain Sarkar was later released, almost 12 hours after being picked up. Pervez is not the first man to be picked up in such a manner. But he has been luckier than many victims, some of whom were picked up in broad daylight and some from their homes in the middle of the night. Some never returned, and those few lucky ones who did, suffered a bout of amnesia, it seems, since none of them would recall, or perhaps didn't want to, for some inexplicable reason, the circumstances of their kidnappings and what happened after they were kidnapped till released. Surprisingly, none of the kidnappers sought ransom for release, as in this case too.

And this is where our anxieties are compounded. Although the agencies have denied that they have had anything to do with the abductions, the statements of some of the victims' families point the finger at them. And we are not prepared to believe, as the home minister would want us to, that many of those who have disappeared are either jilted lovers or unsuccessful businessmen. And that is what begs the very question.

We would like to accept the version of the law enforcement agencies, but the question remains that there is a gang who are in the business of kidnapping and going about their ways with complete impunity. There have been many instances of abductions and kidnappings in the last few years, but the police have not been able to trace this group and apprehend them so far. This naturally creates an air of distrust and apprehension about the safety of individuals. And it is for the police to clear that air of mistrust which, unfortunately, pervades public mind. If that is not done, the credibility of the police will remain in question.