Another life lost needlessly to vendetta politics
As shocking as it is to learn that a young working man has been beaten to death in public, what we find equally distressing is the reason behind his violent demise. A report by this daily quoted witnesses saying that several individuals fatally beat 27-year-old Hafizur Rahman – who ran a chicken fry cart near the Mirpur 10 roundabout – on Monday because he did not take part in a Jubo League rally! Allegedly, Hafizur had been "instructed" by local ruling party men to attend the rally, but he decided to run his cart instead. The question is, why would choosing his livelihood over appeasing political leaders cost him his life in a country that is claimed to be democratic and respectful of citizen rights?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Apparently, it is "mandatory" for most street vendors to attend political events held by the AL and its affiliates, according to Hafizur's brothers, as well as several locals in the area who spoke to this daily. If this is indeed the case, it's totally unacceptable. With the general election only months away, we strongly suggest that the central AL leadership rein in their unruly grassroots leaders and activists so that they cannot employ such fear tactics. Such politics, which stems from a sense of impunity for any political crime including repression of ordinary citizens and rivals, is not acceptable in a functional democracy, and will not help them in the upcoming election.
We also find the police's role in this incident quite dubious. The case statement that police have filed says a completely different story: that a brawl broke out between Hafizur and some customers over a torn bill, and they attacked him. A younger brother of Hafizur's, who filed the case, alleged that police prepared the statement and made him sign it. When contacted, the local OC denied the allegation and said the facts would come out during investigation. We sincerely hope that they do, and urge the police to do their due diligence in bringing the true culprits to book. It is the public that they are duty-bound to, and it is the public that they must serve above anyone else.
Comments